Psychics: Insert Predicted Headline Here

June 26, 2008

Now that I have your attention, be sure to read today’s post in its entirety to find out what my “psychic” prediction of the day is!

Over the years, I have covered countless missing person cases, the majority of which remain unresolved to this day. Given my job and the types of cases I cover, I am often approached by "psychics" who ask me to put them in touch with the family members of the missing persons about whom I write. Each of these requests is appropriately moved to my recycle bin. Nonetheless, these predators, as I like refer to them, often locate the family members through missing persons Web sites or various other means, none of which demonstrates a "psychic gift." I often wonder why these individuals even approach me in the first place if they truly possess psychic abilities.

People with missing loved ones are generally highly emotional and vulnerable. Sadly, these conditions make them the perfect prey for predators who claim to have psychic abilities. Generally, these psychics approach the families (victims) and offer to help them "free of charge." The psychics then generally begin by telling the family that they have very little foreknowledge of the case. However, they report that they approached the family because of "dreams" or "visions" that they had. The psychics then reveal information that often surprises or shocks the family, effectively validating themselves by providing details that the victims believe the psychics would have no way of knowing, given that they claimed to have little knowledge of the case. Unfortunately, what many of these families do not realize is that these predators have spent days and sometimes weeks researching every single detail that they can find about the family and the missing loved one. The psychics then insert those details into their guesswork and make it seem as though they received a "vision" when all they have done is their homework.

Many people ask, "What’s the harm? If they can help, then so be it." Unfortunately, psychics cannot help people. Further, the false hope that they provide does more damage than good. The "psychic," Sylvia Browne, is one example of this. Do you recall the cases of Holly Krewson, Opal Jo Jennings, Lynda McClelland, or Shawn Hornbeck? In each of those cases, Browne provided false hope to the families by offering inaccurate information. Specifically, in the case of Shawn Hornbeck, Browne predicted that he was dead. However, Hornbeck was alive and located less than six month later. The Hornbeck family subsequently appeared on Anderson Cooper 360 (a CNN news program), during which time they stated that Browne had offered to give them more information for a nominal fee of $700. Of course, Browne ultimately denied the family’s allegations.

Many psychics claim that they do not want money or media attention. However, presented with the opportunity to obtain either, psychics are generally more than eager to accept.

A man named Brian Thomas Ladd operates a Web site called Brian's Predictions. I am not going to give him the benefit of providing you with a link. Therefore, if you want to find him, you will have to use your own "psychic abilities" or at the very least an Internet search engine. Ladd often writes about missing person cases and claims to have worked on "more than 300 missing person cases."  He writes on his Web site, "I have never ever asked anyone for money for anything I do and I mean ever for anything."

Although he might not ask for money, he does accept "donations." In addition, on his Web site, Ladd offers a "Private Dream Reading" for a nominal fee of $400.

"I'm able to do private dream readings for just about anything, but to do this I either must be asleep or in a lucid dream state," Ladd writes on his Web site. "I do not know how to do this any other way. In most cases I actually sleep with your request under my pillow in hopes of having a dream about your request.  This seems to work in about 90% of cases I have had so far."

Moving on…

I am happy to report that I am not the only person who is upset by the way psychics prey upon the families of missing people. My friends at Project Jason share similar views. They have an entire section on their site devoted to the subject. An excerpt from those pages reads in part:

"Use of psychics in missing persons cases wastes the time and resources of law enforcement and can cause prejudice in the case. (The psychic claims the person is dead, which may cause people to stop searching, etc.) There is not one proven case in which a psychic, using special powers or abilities not given to the typical person, has located a missing person, whether dead or alive. It may be possible that some persons have an ability that defies science and logic, but there is no known scientific evidence of this. These persons re-victimize families by taking away hope where it should stand, and giving hope where there is none. No person has the right to do this to another."

I could not agree more. I have not witnessed a single case in which a psychic has helped to reunite a family with a missing loved one or assisted in the discovery of the bodies of deceased individuals.

You might be wondering what prompted this rant today. It was actually inspired by the actions of the Plainfield Police Department in Illinois. Yesterday, I was startled to see a headline in The Herald News which read, "Psychic Joins Stebic Case." Those of you who followed my stories at Court TV's Crime Library will recall the case of Lisa Stebic, a 37-year-old woman who disappeared in April 2007. Since that time, several psychics have offered their help. These individuals have maintained that they were not concerned with the publicity they would receive. The greatest success came when a psychic led detectives to a pile of animal bones in the woods. Yeah! Still, the Plainfield Police Department is currently embracing a psychic to assist them in the investigation.

"I feel we as a law enforcement agency owe it to the family to do everything possible to find a resolution to this case," Police Chief Don Bennett stated. He added, "We're willing to do whatever it takes to find Lisa."

Way to go, Bennett! Now that you have publicly acknowledged that your department is using a psychic, you have accomplished nothing more than allowing others to believe that there is a possibility that psychics can actually help to solve cases when thus far there is no solid evidence that they can do so.

Three kudos to the Plainfield Police Department!

I cannot comment on the motive behind the individual who is "helping" the Plainfield Police Department. However, in my opinion, the psychics who prey upon the families of missing people are the lowest of the low. I would rank them right up there with pedophiles. To revictimize these families is despicable; they should be ashamed. I urge anyone who has a missing loved one to resist the urge to seek the aid of psychics. They will do nothing but bring you more pain and heartache.

For those of you who believe in psychics or think that you might be one, you might be interested in the "Million-Dollar Challenge" being offered by the James Randi Educational Foundation. On March 6, 1998, the foundation announced that they were offering a one-million-dollar prize to anyone who could show "under proper observing conditions, evidence of any paranormal, supernatural, or occult power or event." The challenge is ongoing and will continue until March 6, 2010. To date, not a single person has passed the preliminary test.

Nuff said.

Now, as promised, David’s psychic prediction of the day:

gggggrrr…..eeerrrrrr…..aaaggggg….. focus….focus… Its coming to me now… I see it… my prediction is… (drum roll please)….

I predict that this article will offend no less than 10 “psychics”.

Wow, that’s a lot of work. No wonder they charge so much! :-)

Comments

[JM]

Well said, Mr. Lohr. It's frustrating to have to remind people that there is no such thing as magic, and that those individuals who claim psychic abilities such as those boasted of by Brian Ladd are either self-deluded head-cases, or cynical fakes looking to prey on gullible people.

Kind of disturbing that these same gullible people would turn out to be the chief of police in this case, though. Critical reasoning is getting harder and harder to find, it seems.

[Josh]

The best part of this article: The pictures, for sure.

[Pamela]

I just wanted to say too ,those two girls in oklahoma well i got the name cheyenne with that case . perhaps when it plays out you may have second thoughts

[karen]

omg! i love it! you tell e'm david!

[karen]

wow david, so far your prediction *see pamela's comment* is proving to be true. throw me some lotto numbers will ya? lol.

[Star LaBranche]

I was going to write an article about "psychic" detectives for ICB. You stole the idea right out of my mind with your psychic powers! *Grumble, grumble* Now I need a new idea.

Besides your psychic trickery, I really liked your article. ^_^

[liz]

From my own experience, all physics are full of ..it

I predict your article is correct and true

keep up the good work

[Ed Edwards]

Thank you for writing this David.

Our family has been in contact with several "psychics" who have promised to help find my sister, Kristen Anderson.

These people have caused a great amount of harm...especially to my mother. One "psychic" had the nerve to tell her that Kristen's murdering husband is still evil and holding her captive on the "other side". I do not know what she was trying to gain from this but my mother has been extremely upset by it...but how can I disprove what the "psychic" said?

I will admit that I wrote to Brian Ladd when Kristen was first murdered and hidden. Needless to say he never wrote back. Brian writes "predictions" about "famous" or "media saturated" cases...apparently in hopes to get lucky with an accidental guess someday.

As a follow up to Brian charging money...he absolutely does do this. If you look at his contact information you have two choices...a "paid" member contacting him thru a "secret" email address or a non-paying person who can contact him thru a yahoo address. The paid contact is promised a response within a week or so and a non-paying is told that they "may" or "may not" recieve a response.

Thank you for your help in getting Kristen's, and all victims, stories out into the public's awareness.

[Barbanne Bainer]

As a former skeptic myself, I am not offended by your views. I don't think you will offend 10 since most of us realize that there are many skeptics! I would have to agree with you that there are frauds that prey on the families of victims. That is unfortunate, because they give intuitives a bad name. I will have to check into that challenge. LOL
Smile and have a great day!
Barbanne

[Cindy]

I wonder what happened to make you such a bitter and cynical person.
I predict you've had many disapointments in your life but you need to lighten up.

[El]

I have to agree with you. I stopped watch those psychic detective shows because their answers are so vague and never lead to anywhere. Cases are still unsolved. I understand why families go to psychics because they want some hope. Couldn't a psychic find out who wins the millions at James Randi's site!

[Kimber]

AMEN! It appears that as our society evolves and certain variables change over time, there will always be people looking for weaknesses. Be it MLM scams, ID theft, etc., there is always going to be someone working to find new ways to make a buck by exploiting others. Some of the methods of so-called psychics may have evolved over time, but they still amount to a big old load of crapola. John Edwards and others like him are among the dregs of society.

[Jay]

QUOTE:
"I am often approached by "psychics" who ask me to put them in touch with the family members of the missing persons about whom I write. Each of these requests is appropriately moved to my recycle bin."

Good! The perfect place for those requests. You should make a printout and ritually burn it too, just to be mean!

Psychics are among the most despicable, low-life, predatory scum of the earth that all too often take advantage of grieving, vulnerable people desperate to find their missing loved ones at any cost.

Devious wicked witches like Silvia (The Claw) Browne make me sick.

"Psychics" are the ones who should disappear, never to be seen again. I wouldn't miss them.

[Kymm]

In my job I have come across a couple of patients that have been left needing months of treatment because of so called 'psychics'- from menial things to more serious things like the disappearance of a loved one. The damage these people can cause is unfathomable and can be more destructive than simply not knowing what has happened to the loved one that is missing. I have never had to go through that type of pain personally of a loved one going missing - I have counselled a couple of families going through this. The family I counselled after they had been dealing with a 'psychic' were severely distressed as to how someone could walk into their lives - give false hope then rip them apart when they were already trying to deal with a situation that most of us luckily never go through. When the family started questioning the psychic a bit deeper as to what procedures she was using and how she was getting the information - they were literally chewed up and spat out by her after they refused to pay her 'expenses' - being told their child was probably dead by now anyway.
Maybe it is about time more of these so called 'psychics' faced investigation and police charges - after all - if I went to someone's door claiming I could find a missing loved one and demanded money for 'expenses' - I would probably be arrested for 'attempting to obtain money under false pretences' - unless of course I prefixed my name with 'Madame' and added 'psychic' on my business card!

[O2S]

OMG - loved it! Excellent article David!

[lflores]

If there were credible pyschics out there, there would be no missing anything.

[Lynn]

I'm inclined to agree with you. The accuracy rate is so very low that if they give enough predictions, someone, somewhere in the world, would say...That's about ME! Or that just happened in the news.

I've been on Brian's site about the Anthony case and see that many maps have been googled, info from locals has been sent (do we see it all?) So, I'm not real impressed. I think most of us non-psychics understand that the mother has a serious mental problem. She likely is involved in the disappearance of the child. The grandparents and brother are all in denial. The only ones who seem to get what went on is her friends and with all the info they've given....well, it doesn't take a psychic to figure probabilities...But as all psychics say, I hope I'm wrong. However, I sincerely do.

[cheryl merrill]

They say Houdini hated these psychic frauds as well. Regardless, I guess this means Psychic Detectives on the crime channel is all fiction. If just one person is saved due to a psychic's talent then all of the frauds put together are worth it. What harm can they really do to a case in reality? Maybe their ideas can open up the minds of a closed minded case closed homicide investigation.

Giving all psychics a bad rap is like giving all politicians a bad rap for the multitudes who are bad. I don't know, if I were a psychic who had saved a life or helped solved a case I wouldn't appreciate a dude like this bashing the entire profession. It isn't fair.

More rant:
It would be like accusing all singers of being the ones who lose on American Idol - simply because they want to sing, but can't. Is it fair to associate the good ones with the bad ones? No!

Is it fair to put all musicians under the same umbrella of being bad simply because most are these days? No!

Black and white doesn't work most of the time. There are shades of gray. When you only see black and white you may very will close all doors to a solution to any given problem.

[Jessica]

If Psychics are so psychic why cant they prevent horibble things from happening in our world? For instance 9/11, the war,and so on.Even a loved one and tell them that something horibble is going to happen to their family. I agree with the people saying that they do give false hope and its sad because the people that do have missing loved ones are probably just trying to find that one shred of hope to hold on to.Oh, and its funny that these psychics only know about bad things after the fact. People like Sylvia Brown and John Brown who claims he can talk to your loved one on the other side need to worry about preventing tragic things happening in their lives and their loved ones since they are so psychic.

[Mary]

I too was a skeptic like all of you people but my own personal experiences have changed my mind. I believe there are a lot of wanna be's out there but believe me or not, we all have psychic abilities. It takes a very humble and spiritual person to experience it and none of you seem to have what it takes to tap into the spiritual world. If you only knew all the things your spirit is capable of! you think psychic readings is it?!! It saddens me how you close minded people live this live with so much hate when you should be loving and learning instead. Unfortely for most you, it will only make sence when you die :(
C'mon, look around you and tell me that the physical world is all there is, if you do then I'll say YOU MUST BE BLIND!
WAKE UP PEOPLE!

xoxo

[John]

Sorry, but I gotta side with Mr. Lohr, no psychic is going to help find anyone

[cartoon]

Right on David!

[cartoon]

When will we see David Lohr on his own show?!?! I for one of sick of Nacy Grace!

[julie]

David, i would love to see you on your own show. maybe then we would get more accurate information. Thank you.

[brandy]

I never beleived in psychics either..until i had a few dreams about my children that came true..I think its sort of like beleiving in god..or trying to figure out how a computer sends info and pics of people through the air.ect...its hard to get a grip that some people can have a gift that i feel is like a special intuition.Dogs have high sense of smell ect..humans have a higher brain power so why not have some people with a higher sense feelings that something is going to happen or where something or someone is? I do beleive that some people possess this power but i dont think its controllable where they can ask for numbers and get them.I think it comes to them and they dont really understand it either..I also beleive that people that lead people to beleive they possess this power and charge money when they really dont is what is causing so many skeptics..
I feel we will see more people in the future that seem to have this extra sense as humans develop.Its sort of like looking at human history and wondering why they couldnt have invented some of the things that have been invented in the last 100years.The reason being is that human intelligence has developed over the years;as will the special gift to sense things that are about to happen or know what has happened.With this said maybe we can keep a open mind and have faith that not all psychics are phoney.The same way i beleive that there is a higher power that gave us all these gifts to begin with..

[Deb]

I predict they will find evidence off of S.Access Rd. Some people get it, some people don't!

[Allyson]

I believe that some people posess a little bit of ESP. Not saying that it's spiritual or freaky-deaky hocus pocus just for example we might have a dream and the next day or so something might happen exactly like in your dream, or de-javu I think that's what that is called. Or you'll be sitting there thinking about someone calling you and the phone rings.I do believe though there are frauds, kooks and wackos out there, that they get people so desperate and confused they'd do anything, I think Dolly Parton said it best in Steel Magnolias " He's so confused he doesn't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt" ha ha one of my fav's . Later :)

[brandy]

Thanks david for printing my view point..thats why i love reading your column..I pass it around to my friends all the time.I love your point of view..and the fact that your fair and dont mind letting people also voice their opinion even if it conflicts with your own.I think intelligence is shown when a person is always willing to listen to the other side and change their mind if they feel the other side has a point.Too many people have opinions these days and are not willing to even listen forget consider that they could be wrong.Keep up the great work.I know youve made me change my mind more then once..glory..a.k.a..brandy

[Kathy]

Well the subliminal messaging worked. Excellent article David! I think plain old intuition has gotten a bad rap because of the psychic phenomena craze.

I have a problem with the many reenactment shows that portray psychics helping in an investigation where hindsight is 20/20. It would be more useful to do documentaries from the get go and show all of the steps that are included to determine how much of the information is actually provided by the psychic involved and how much boils down to good investigative techniques, intuition and chance.

Have you seen the September SciAm article that discusses our ability to perceive probabilities? You must be psychic--you beat them to press!

[Jolene Jolene]

I've been reading Brian's page for a couple of years and while he might not ask for money, he's always in some kind of dire financial predicament. Lights cut off, computer breaking down, medical issues, etc. In the beginning, I started to send him some money, then realized that I have problems that arise from time to time. But I don't announce them on my website. I've wondered why the guy just doesn't get a job like everyone else. He might have some talent, but it's hard to tell because he's always whining about being broke.

JJ

[Psychic]

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is your favorite basketball player.

[Rosemary C.]

I personally think David is an $#% and is afraid that psychics will cut in on his game.

The fact that he mentions the Great Randi proves this no psychic with any talent at all would ever contact that pompous $%&# Randi and his little band of Skeptics, and I can't wait until some of those suckers die of old age and go to the after life and look back at earth and say well what do you know I was wrong, now how am I ever going to get one of those Psychics to let me speak through them.

I think this man who writes here has become hardened and bitter from all the cases he is dealing with and so maybe I will cut him a little after all because one day when he and Randi meet beyond the Veil of Death they can console each other and think back to all the problems they may caused here on earth with their skeptical beliefs.
I personally know a Psychiatrist who died back in the eighties and when he was here on earth he didn't believe in people seeing visions and hearing voices and sometimes these people didn't know they were psychic and didn't know what was happening to them so when they went to this doctor he filled them up on medicine and sometimes gave them shock treatment to wipe out the voices and visions and afer he died he saw how wrong he was and has been working ever since to make sure the other psychiatrists don't make the same mistakes he did when he was here on earth.
Sure there are some people out there who call themelves psychics and don't know their butt from a horned toad and those are the ones who give the good ones a bad name, and yes they get in on the police work and cases and when this happens everyone has a different view and so the good ones don't know how the police will sort the wheat from the chafe and when that happens they just sit back and read things you are writing and try to educate you so one day when you go to the Afer Life someone will let you speak of you choose to because heaven isn't what its cracked up to be from what I hear and they have a lot of time on their hands and they want to channell through someone.

[M.]

A comment directly to David...
I find that the reason behind your hatred for physics is the fact you care about people and have been let down a couple too many times with the wrong psychic.
Through your writing, you almost challenge 'that' one psychic who could do it right. The only reason I could see a gifted psychic finding your site, would be so that one could help through the other, to help others. True psychic mediums are few. May your search soon come to an end.

[M.]

Psychics: The revised Predicted Headline: Time for a new perspective!

1. Bitter by phony psychics, coverage of this topic is with skeptical sarcasm and without an open mind. I would think this habit contradicts the reasons for even becoming a crime writer in the first place.

-Edited by David Lohr to add: No, I am bitter after having watched "psychics" scam the families of missing persons out of money they could have put towards other efforts.-

2. If your ever did meet a real enough psychic to suit your definition, would you rescind your skepticism and set the record straight?

-Edited by David Lohr to add: Sure, if someone can prove to me they have a "vision" or whathave you that led to the discovery of a body - by proof I mean a respected law enforcement agency I can verify it with - then I will rescind my skepticism.-

3. Did you forget, psychics, just like painters for an example, possess individual levels of skill? Remember, the Picasso does exist.

-Edited by David Lohr to add: So tell me, why don't they do it as a public service? Why charge these families thousands of dollars? To date I have yet to see one case for a "psychic" has actually found anyone. Seems there are charging for a service in which they can't deliver. How about if you hire me to mow your law and I randomly select the rows I cut? Should I still charge you for it?-

4. As I speak for myself and perhaps others, unfortunately, we live in a man’s world. And although many do not wish to be paid for their skills, reality is we have to live too. You have received a gift to write, and your receive payment for your skill. Why is it then, you oppose payment for the psychic gift?

-Edited by David Lohr to add: See above. Not only that, but I guarantee delivery. Can you say the same?-

5. “Unfortunately, psychics cannot help people.” Unfortunately, you have not meet a good psychic, and you have opportunity to spread this damaging opinion to a lot of people.

-Edited by David Lohr to add: Prove me wrong.-

6. Other than the horrendous opinions, I share the same beliefs, and I pray for all those damaged by the actions of others.

-Edited by David Lohr to add: Then quit doing so yourself.-

[WAR]

My wife is psychic. She finds my car keys and my glasses for me every morning.

[M.]

In time, our paths will cross again, and you are going to owe me a personal apology.

And just to set the record straight,
I have N E V E R been paid.
PERIOD!

[mimi]

loved this article, THANK YOU.

[Timmy]

Brian Ladd claims Psychic Detective Nancy gave him a reading where she told him he has psychic dreams.Nancy Myer then looked at the website and told me she never heard of him in her life.I'm not sure if he took that off of his site or not.I've had horrible experiences with psychics and mediums.I've learned to listen to my God and now understand why he wants me to stay away from them.My cousin was murdered in 2007.10,000.00 later it is still a cold case.

[Rocki]

Brians Predictions...Ah yes dear old Brian who did not have a passport to go and rescue Madeleine McCann while at the same time trying to set up Robert Murat.What a circus that turned out to be !

Thanks for the reality check.