Hotel Retlaw - Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

 

Investigation

The WPRS investigated the Hotel Retlaw on January 8^th & 9^th, 2021. Investigators Blaschka, Duginski, Beaudry, Cruz, Syring, Abrams and Coscio were present, along with special guest T. Coscio. Equipment used during the investigation included an (8) camera  DVR system, infrared and full spectrum cameras hand held video recorders, digital cameras, EMF detectors including Tri-field, K-2 and Rem pod meters, vibration and motion detectors, laser grids, thermal imager, Kinect 3D SLS camera system and digital recorders.

The Investigation focused mainly in the Crystal Ballroom, ballroom hallway corridor and all floor hallways of the hotel. Seven infrared cameras were placed in a circle in the middle of the Crystal Ballroom so that the entire room was covered by video surveillance. Camera (8) was placed in the hallway corridor.  Laser grids and motion/vibration detectors were placed around the ballroom, including Rem pods on various tables.

The team set up the monitoring area in the kitchen, just off of the ballroom, so no outside interference would be detected or disturbed. The team broke down into groups of two members and conducted EVP sessions around the hotel. Investigators Beaudry and Cruz were in the hallway corridor, Duginski and Syring were in the ballroom, Blaschka and Abrams were in the 4^th floor hallway and the Coscio’s were monitoring the DVR cameras. All groups rotated the sessions around to these areas.

During the first session, Beaudry and Cruz placed a Rem pod on a table; Beaudry monitored the thermal camera and Cruz monitored the Kinect 3D SLS system. During that session, the Rem pod alerted and a figure sitting on a chair was captured on the SLS system. Upon reviewing the EVP recordings at that same time, a very faint voice was captured, but the words were inaudible.

Other groups recorded the same figure on the SLS system in that same area. It should be noted that the SLS system did not pick up any other anomalies around the hotel except one time in the kitchen.

Investigators then took turns isolated in the side storage room just off the ballroom and conducted EVP sessions while being recorded by infrared portable camera. This was the same location Investigator Beaudry was touched by an unseen entity during the first investigation in 2013.

Hundreds of infrared and digital photographs were taken around the entire facility, including recordings in the notorious room #717. The DVR system recorded several hours all though the night into the next morning and all footage was reviewed.

 

Evidence & Conclusion

The team reviewed all of the DVR footage, audio recordings and photographs from the investigation. The team did not experience any strange phenomenon during the investigation except on one occasion. During one of the EVP sessions in the ballroom, all group members were sitting around the dance floor while special guest T. Coscio was in the kitchen watching the monitors. She heard the kitchen door open and felt as if someone walked into the room. As she turned around to expect to see someone, she realized that she was alone.

No EVP recordings were captured that could be noted as evidence, but one photograph was captured that had the characteristics of possible paranormal phenomenon. The photograph was taken with a digital camera in the ballroom. A white mist anomaly was captured that appeared to have a side silhouette of a figure. Four different recordings on the SLS system captured a figure on the chair in the hallway corridor area by several team members at separate times.

 

 

Even though the team did not capture much evidence or have many personal experiences unlike the first investigation, back in 2013, it was still a notable investigation. In conclusion, upon review of all the evidence and personal experiences that was captured in 2013 and 2021. Also along with the experiences from staff and guests though out the years, we strongly feel that the Hotel Retlaw is truly haunted. Possibly by Walter Schroeder or another unknown spirit, that is still lingering around the halls of this beautiful hotel.

 

 

*Any use or reproduction of this documentation is prohibited without the sole permission of Bill Beaudry or the WPRS.