I smell dead people

Published: Friday, October 31, 2025 at 4:00 pm

Journalist Summary

A homeowner in New Orleans describes their lifelong fascination with the paranormal and their experiences with what they believe to be the presence of deceased loved ones. The author, who grew up on a farm, associates specific scents with their late grandfather ("papa"), grandmother ("gramma"), and other family members. These scents, including cigar smoke, hairspray, and the aroma of cooked food, unexpectedly manifest in their home, evoking memories of their childhood and family.

The author recounts early experiences with the paranormal, including a Ouija board session in their youth. They also detail stays at reportedly haunted locations, such as the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast and The Myrtles Plantation. While they did not visually encounter ghosts, they experienced unsettling sensations and unexplained events, such as a dead battery in their luggage at The Myrtles.

Despite the lack of visual confirmation, the author finds comfort in the persistent sensory experiences, such as the familiar smells of their childhood home. They question the nature of proof in the paranormal, suggesting that the comfort and connection derived from these experiences are sufficient, regardless of their origin.

BNN's Perspective:

The author's experiences highlight the subjective nature of the paranormal. While concrete evidence remains elusive, the emotional impact of these sensory experiences is undeniable. This story underscores the human desire for connection and the comfort found in memories, even if those memories are intertwined with the unexplained.

Keywords: Paranormal, ghosts, haunted, scents, memories, Ouija board, Lizzie Borden, Myrtles Plantation, farm, family, experiences, proof, sensory, home, comfort

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