Our Team

Caroline Farrow is the Research Manager for CPRS. "I have an insatiable curiosity, a love of exploration, and a need to know about things. I have been interested in all aspects of the paranormal for as long as I can remember. Believing in unseen spirits imbuing the world around me is also a part of my spirituality and worldview as is a love of science so it seems natural for me to study the paranormal in a scientific way. I believe that since science cannot at this time even define what consciousness is or where it comes from I see no reason to believe that it cannot exist outside of a living body. So I find the existence of ghosts (or consciousness continuing after physical death at least) to be highly probable. It's the how and the why I am not sure about, not yet anyway. I also have interests in art, physics, nature, travel, gardening, vegetarian cooking, reading, learning, and music and I currently live in Humboldt Park, Chicago."

Cece Otto has been interested in the paranormal since childhood, but only started conducting serious investigations in October of 2006. A Classically trained Singer and Composer who works in Payroll to pay her bills, Cece is the Resource Manager for the group - responsible for researching and maintaining a network of various sources both spiritual and technical for the group, as well as evaluating trends and coordinating events. Having seen or experienced all four types of hauntings, her investigative style is a balance of conventional (technical) and non-conventional methods. Cece currently resides on the North side of Chicago.

Colleen Evans is the assistant Case Manager for CPRS. "I have always been curious about the truth behind the ghost stories that I heard as a kid; after some intense and interesting personal exper- iences, I decided I wanted to figure it out once and for all. I definitely believe that there may be more to this idea of life-after- death that is so deeply ingrained in human culture. However; I want proof! There could be any number of explanations for pararormal activity of all kinds- it's going to take a few folks willing to apply logic and investigative tenacity to try. I'm subscribing more and more as time goes by, to the idiom, "I either know or I don't know." The scientific method is going to be the ticket to finding all the answers! I love the local indepent and music scene, DJ in night clubs, have just discovered geocaching, study German, read science fiction, and play the Dungeons & Dragons role playing game. Colleen currently resides in Humboldt Park, Chicago."

Doug Oram has been interested in the paranormal for over a decade, but only started conducting serious investigations in October of 2006. A self-employed software engineer primarily working with military systems, Doug is the Technical Manager for the group - responsible for researching and acquiring new equipment as well as training the group on how to use it. His investigative style primarily focuses on scientific theory and skeptical analysis of physical data collected. When asked if he believes in ghosts, he replied "I've seen a lot that I can't just explain away, so I keep an open mind and I hope to assist the scientific community in either proving or disproving paranormal activity". Doug currently resides in the Aurora/Naperville area.

Jennifer Engelbrecht is the group's Case Manager, responsible for planning and scheduling investigations while also organizing the members of the team that will conduct each investigation. "I've always been fascinated by the paranormal since I was a kid. I'm already convinced of a life beyond what we know and being a paranormal investigator provides me with the ability to search for the answers to what exactly that life beyond is and be able to show it to the world. I would love to show documented scientific proof of the existence of spirits and I believe someday we will be able to." When asked if she believes in ghosts, she replied "Emphatically, yes. The experiences that I've had with the paranormal always leaves me wanting more...more time, more proof, better ways of communicating, etc." Her favorite scary movie is "Halloween - the original version, and any good zombie movies!". Some of her other interests include being an avid follower of figure skating, traveling around the world, reading, writing, and Wednesday nights. Jennifer lives in Chicago and is a Learning & Development professional during the day.

Kristen Oakey is the Financial Manager of the group. When questioned on why she ghost hunts, she replied "I have had some run in's with the paranormal in my past that have always left me needing to know more. I need to know if that shadow I saw out of the corner of my eye was real or not. I need to know if that weird noise I heard can be explained logically or not. I'm inquisitive by nature and ever since I had my first paranormal experience I have been hooked on collecting hard evidence." Does she believe in ghosts? - "Yes, my experiences in the past have pushed me towards this field. The answers are out there, you just have to know how to interpret the information in front of you in a logical way, then what's left is paranormal". Her favorite scary movie is Halloween series, and she also has hobbies in photography, writing, 4-wheeling and taking road trips. Kristen lives in the northwest suburbs.

Shaun Etchison is the Assistant Research Manager for CPRS. "I have been interested in the Paranormal World for years now and I love that I have the opportunity with a great group like CPRS to explore this field. I am fascinated with the history of certain locations, as well as in the field investigating. To be able to help contribute to advancing CPRS as one of the top legitimate Paranormal Groups is amazing! Being able to help homeowners/business owners with any Paranormal concerns is a passion of mine. Other interests of mine are Texas Hold'em, Bowling, huge fan of Storm Chasers! and would love to travel more!" Shaun currently resides in the South Suburbs of Chicago.

Robert Patterson developed an interest in the supernatural during the early 70's. He is an avid reader of supernatural books and magazines. His favorite authors are John Keel, Troy Taylor, Brad Steiger, Frank Edwards, Jerome Clark, Richard Winer and Ursula Bielski. He became interested in Chicago area ghost stories when he first listened to Richard Crowe in on the radio late at night in 1975. Since he was a teen, he would go on ghost hunts with his friends. His curiosity often leads him to strange places. He has traveled all over to visit such places as the Hornet Ghost Light, Crown Point Jail, Old Willow Cemetery, The Old Slave House, Gettysburg, Alton, Illinois and other sites. He also has experienced many supernatural events himself. Robert currently does office work for a large sign company in Mt. Prospect. Before that he was the lead technician for a small computer company. His hobbies include computers building and servicing, collecting and restoring old stereo equipment, home repair, gardening, art, collecting music, traveling and photography. Robert currently resides in Des Plaines, Illinois where he has lived all his life.

Tim Sandefur is the Business Manager for CPRS. Tim has been involved and interested in the paranormal phenomena of "Ghosts" since the late 1980's. Tim started his "paranormal career" back in 1996 when he organized a group of ghost enthusiasts into an investigation team called the Northwest Indiana Society of Ghost Research with the help of well known paranormal photographer Rob Johnson and gained over 50 members in the 4 years that followed until 2000. After that group split up, he then moved to Atlanta and spent part of his time freelancing and part with the Ghost Hounds until 2002 when he relocated back to the Chicago area. In 2006 he helped to organize CPRS and it is going very strong. He knows someday CPRS will be one of the most respected and honored in the field. "We are serious and legit on what we are trying to collect, we are not about trying to make money off the public on every little thing we do, we are about stating the facts as we find them, even if we find nothing, which is most of the time" Tim has always concentrated on paranormal investigation from the scientific and data collecting aspects and still remains skeptical of many practices, equipment, education and commercialization going on in the paranormal field today. When asked if he has seen a ghost he replied "In 14 years I have never seen a ghost, although I have been tapped, felt cold spots, had some unexplained photo's, instrument readings and weird stuff happen...but no, no ghosts. If any are ready...I'm ready to see them" Tim currently resides in the far, far, far south suburbs with his wife, 3 kids, 6 cats and 3 dogs.