Re: Investigation awareness -- PGHA Message Board

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Date Posted: 17:57:55 05/29/01 Tue
Author: Lew (PGHA)
Subject: Re: Investigation awareness
In reply to: Scott Marsh-LVHGS 's message, "Investigation awareness" on 16:37:18 05/25/01 Fri

Hello Scott,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about what we really need to be fearful of as investigators. I have always thought that we should be more afraid of living people, rather than those departed from us. I too have a story to share that has only helped to reinforce my initial thoughts of fear.
In early April 2000, we were contacted by a man who identified himself as being a Private Investigator in New Jersey. He was extremely pleasant on the phone and explained that he was working on a case involving a couple and their residence. At my request, he gave as little details about the case in order to not potentially bias an investigation (assuming this was why he called). Of the minute details he did give, he said to me that he initially suspected that neighborhood children playing jokes might be to blame for the activity being experienced. His first approach was to set up a perimeter of wet sand for footprints and trip wires to help identify that someone was coming onto the property. This was ruled out as being a possibility after the phenomena was experienced again but no tracks or tripped wires were to be found.
Next, they tried to rule out other possibilities by calling in plumbers, chimney sweeps, HVAC specialists, building inspectors, etc., to see if perhaps they could identify the source of what may be causing the activity. No problems were found by any of these professionals and that is what prompted the phone call to us.
A date and time of investigation was arranged for 4/19/00 at 8pm. However, it was asked of us to meet with this investigator and a few of his colleges at a restaurant located near the home we were to investigate. I saw no harm in my group meeting his in a public place so we arranged it for 7pm of that same night.
We arrived at the diner about 20 minutes early and we decided to wait for the whole group before anyone went inside. After everyone was there, I went in to meet him. Not sure who I was looking for, I stood in the lobby looking around to see if I could put a face with the voice I remembered from prior telephone conversations. Almost immediately I was recognized and flagged down by a man who was sitting with several other men at the second booth. He quickly wiped his mouth, paid the tab and introduced both he and his colleges. As he shook my hand he also handed me a business card (in fact, he gave me several which I still have).
He initiated the conversation which took place in the restaurant lobby. His main concern pertained to our equipment and how it was used for our purposes. Of all the equipment, he seemed most interested in the fact that we conduct audio recordings during investigations. The remainder of his questions, which were quite extensive, pertained to EVPs and what they produce as evidence. I began to explain that oftentimes recordings yield voices for which we cannot account. Some voices are at times random, while others have been known to directly address questions we have just asked. I explained that in both cases, most of the time the voices are not heard until the playback of the recording. The look on his face showed how perplexed he was that such things can happen. To reassure himself that he understood what I had said, he said in a fashion that sought my approval, "So, if they have something to say, they can say it?" Thinking to myself that this conversation had become a little peculiar due to his sudden excessive interest, I told him "yes." It was almost 8pm at this point, and paying things no other mind, we proceeded to the home.
Having arrived at the home, we were appropriately introduced to our mutual clients and the Private Investigators observed us as we set up our equipment. As expected, they asked us questions all the while. As the investigation was about to officially get underway, the PIs announced that they were leaving so we can conduct our business without interference. As they parted, we all exchanged "thank you's" and hand shakes. I even remember commenting to everyone, including our clients, how nice they all were. Especially the man who initially introduced himself to me over the phone. We all seemed to agree and our inquiry commenced.
About one week later, I was contacted by a woman who identified herself as a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News. She had asked me if I knew a man who's name was the same as the Private Investigator we met the week before. It was only after she told me that he referred her to us that I said that I was familiar with him. She also asked if we had conducted an investigation in New Jersey at this PI's request. I found this question inappropriate since we had not yet discussed with our clients as to whether we could present the investigation to the public. Out of respect for our clients privacy, my response was that we could not confirm or deny whether we conducted an investigation on the date she had suggested. Obviously to her I was not going to be a source of information and she quickly ended the conversation.
The next day, when I arrived home from work, Sharon told me that that reporter called again and she left her number. When I returned her call, she asked if I had any info I could give her about my dealings with the PI. I told her no and she said to get a Daily News because we made the front page! I hung up the phone and wondered how we (I took this as meaning our organization) could make the front page of a major newspaper without anyone speaking to us directly. Curious, I went around to the store and grabbed one. As soon as I saw the paper, my mouth gaped open and nearly hit the floor. There was a huge picture of the Private Investigator in an orange prison outfit. Apparently, he had confessed to the conspiracy to and murder of the wife of Rabbi Neulander. An infamous murder which took place in New Jersey roughly 5.5 years before our meeting. The Private investigator's name........Len Jenoff. A now self-confessed murderer whom we met and shook hands with.
The night we got the newspaper, we also had an investigation. I made it a point to bring it. After the investigation, while grabbing a bite to eat, I broke the news to the group. We all sat there in amazement at the whole ordeal. The one question that innocently came up was, "why would a man who wasn't even a suspect in a murder that was committed years beforehand, confess to it only days after our meeting?" That question, for which we may never have an answer, did make sense of why Jenoff's questions were so specific and extensive at the restaurant. But, we may never know for sure.
The point in all of this is not only that we have more to fear in people, rather than ghosts, but also that safety comes first wherever you investigate. Be careful no matter what the location. Cemeteries are only part of the picture and you never know who you're going to meet and where. Be safe. Lew

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