It’s that time of the year once again where I present to you, the unsuspecting public, the 5 worst ghosts caught on camera which made headlines during the past year. Fear not. These apparitions are not labelled as the ‘worst’ because they’re fearsome, terrifying, and probably going to eat your soul. No, they’re labelled the worst because they’re a bit naff and (spoiler alert) probably not ghosts at all.
For those not in the know – I’m a paranormal researcher using scientific scepticism to solve spooky mysteries. I don’t believe in ghosts but I’m fascinated by paranormal encounters and have been investigating them for over 20 years. I’ve been writing a ‘Worst Ghosts’ summary at the end of each year for over a decade and so, without further ado, may I present to you the worst ghosts on 2024!
Please note: click any of the photos below to open the full size version in a new window!
#5 The Chilean Ghost Hiker
A group photo taken by friends during a hike in Chile went viral this year for one unsettling detail: a mysterious face that appears between two women on the left of the image. According to LadBible () the eerie apparition left viewers shocked, with many reporting goosebumps and genuine fear upon spotting the face peering out at the camera, with many people sure it is a ghost.
However, dear reader, if you look at the spooky face and trail your eyes up, you’ll see the top of a person’s head sort of peeking above the two women whose faces are properly lit. There’s even a cloth headband visible (circled in the close up above). This ghostly apparition appears to be nothing more than a person joining the group for the photo whose face is blocked from the light and cast in shadow. A filter applied to the photo deepens the shadows and casts a blue hue to them adding to the creepy effect.
#4 Urban Explorer Photographs Child Ghost
Earlier this year, urban explorer Jayde McKenner entered an abandoned Wiltshire mansion and among the many photos taken of the ruin, and there is one photo McKenner claims shows the apparition of a ghostly child-like figure in a nightdress at the end of a corridor. According to the Metro, McKenner described the building as having an eerie atmosphere and says she felt watched during her visit.
I do not see a “figure” at all, but would suggest this is likely an object in a messy, derelict space shown in the distance of a low quality photograph. It isn’t unusual for Urban Explorers (the large majority who do not gain access to buildings legally) to report paranormal experiences while visiting locations, however they’re often not alone in the building, even if they think they are.
Additionally, a general sense of unease is often reported by people who are exploring unfamiliar places, such as ghost hunters walking around spooky places in the dark, or Urban Explorers breaking into derelict buildings to explore them. These eerie feelings are likely a hypervigilance produced when the amygdala (a part of the brain responsible for processing fear) becomes activated when a potential threat is perceived, even if no threat is immediately obvious. (Robson, 2021)
#3 Mexican Roadside Ghost
A photo taken at the site of a fatal car crash in Mexico City went viral this year because it is claimed the photos shows a ghostly figure standing behind a telephone pole silently observing the wreckage. According to Unilad () The crash occurred in the early hours of January 24 and resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man and left a 23-year-old critically injured. Some claim the figure, dressed in a black robe with a pale face, is linked to the crash but in all reality, you can see a number of onlookers in the background of the photo. There is nothing to suggest this figure is anything but another onlooker shown in a low quality photograph. Even the police officers at the forefront of the photo look slightly distorted. Are they apparitions, too?
#2 Darlington Hippodrome Apparition
A family photo taken during a live Peppa Pig show at Darlington Hippodrome has sparked online intrigue after capturing what appears to be a ghostly figure in an empty row behind two children. Kirsty Ward, the mother who took the photo, shared it in a supernatural Facebook group, where it quickly gained attention. According to The Northern Echo, other theatergoers confirmed no one was in the row at the time but I trust this claim very little based on the inherent issues with eyewitness testimony and human memory (American Psychological Association, 2023).
Some people have claimed the apparition was caused by a camera glitch while many others insist it is a genuine paranormal apparition. However, I think there is a creepier explanation here: a child. To me, the photo looks to show the blurred movement of a fast-moving child running along the empty row of seats behind those being photographed. Totally creepy…
#1 The Haunted Mirror of Rotherham
Coming in at the number one spot is a haunted mirror, which seems like an apt way to close out a list reflecting on the year…
Earlier this year, I wrote about Lost Souls Paranormal, a Rotherham-based ghost-hunting group, who claimed to have captured paranormal evidence at a “poltergeist house” in Rawmarsh, reporting a distorted reflection of team member Susan Booth in a mirror. Not just a mirror, a haunted mirror. Ooh err…
The group, led by Darren Ross, was shocked by the image, attributing its eerie appearance to supernatural activity. However, as I wrote back in August, the photo shows poor photographic conditions, including low light, heavy pixelation, and motion blur, which likely explain the distortion of Susan’s reflection. Instead of issuing challenges to skeptics to go and visit the site themselves, I instead suggested Darren’s efforts would be best spent using a tripod and turning the lights on. Who knows, maybe 2025 will be the year that happens!
So there we have it, folks. The worst ghosts of 2024! If you’ve enjoyed this listicle please consider sharing in to your Social Media feeds. You can also check out the lists for previous years, too! Did you see a ghost in the news this year that you think should have been in the running for this list? Why not share the story in the comments below? As ever, thank you for reading
References
American Psychological Association (2023), Speaking of Psychology: How memory can be manipulated, with Elizabeth Loftus, PhD, Available at: https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/memory-manipulated (Accessed 20 December 2024)
Robson, D., (2021) David Robson, ‘Why we’re so terrified of the unknown’, BBC Worklife. [Online]. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211022-why-were-so-terrified-of-the-unknown (accessed 20th December, 2024)
