West Des Moines Ghost Hunters Explore the Supernatural in Iowa

If there's something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?

Try John Luhmann, but don't expect your run-of-the-mill ghostbuster.

The founder and director of the Midwest Paranormal Investigative Society, Luhmann and his team of six frequently travel across Iowa in attempts to help the haunted. The West Des Moines-based group has investigated dozens of residences across the state, as well as conducted hunts at more famous locations, such as the Villisca Axe Murder House.

"A lot of people don't understand, ghosts are spirits, are people basically without a body, so we go in and treat them with respect."

On Saturday, the group plans to travel to Council Bluffs to investigate the Squirrel Cage Jail. Luhmann said the group has investigated the jail once before, and is returning because it is a "pretty active location."

Unlike most of their other expeditions, MPIS is allowing nine interested people to tag along with them on the journey, for the cost of $40 apiece.

Luhmann said he has been interested in the paranormal for years.

"Some members of my family have had experiences, and you always wonder, what does happen after death?" Luhmann said.

Luhmann started the organization in Iowa City in March 2010, later moving it to West Des Moines after he moved.

Seeking to Explain the Unusual

The goal of MPIS, Luhmann said, is to help people. The group takes a scientific approach to its investigations, using a variety of equipment to record changes in electromagnetic fields, and digital recorders to capture spoken words, also known as electronic voice phenomenon.

"What motivates me is seeing the relief on people's faces after we tell them what they've got, when we tell them they don't have anything to worry about, or that their kids aren't crazy," Luhmann said. "We've had a lot of personal cases dealing with children and we make sure that we eliminate the fear that they hold and that they feel comfortable and safe."

When investigating a location or residence, the group will attempt to debunk any strange readings its members pick up, leaving only the unexplainable parts as possible evidence of supernatural activity.

It's Not Like the Movie

The service provided by MPIS isn't nearly as cut and dry as the film, "Ghostbusters," presents it to be.

"That's the common feel of the community, that we're going to bust ghosts and try to get rid of them," Luhmann said. "Sometimes if they aren't posing a threat, or if the family doesn't mind that they're there ... we'll just go and investigate and try to communicate. A lot of people don't understand, ghosts are spirits, are people basically without a body, so we go in and treat them with respect."

MPIS is a non-profit organization that provides their services free of charge. The results of some of their investigations are available online at their website.