Syfy's Ghost Hunters (TAPS) Celebrates 100th Episode and Season Premiere with Alcatraz Investigation

The crew of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) celebrated the 100th episode of the hit Syfy series, Ghost Hunters, in style: Live at Altacraz Island. The 100th episode and the two-hour season premiere for the sixth season of the paranormal investigation series was aired as a live event on the Syfy channel on March 3.

The actual investigation was not live. Syfy had a hosted event from Rockefeller Center in New York featuring the T.A.P.S. crew and Josh Gates, host of the Syfy series Destination Truth. Gates hosted the live event with questions from viewers and discussions with the paranormal investigators. Investigator Britt Griffith was available for website questions and live chat with viewers

T.A.P.S. investigators Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson, Steve Gonsalves, Dave Tango, Kris Williams and Amy Bruni trekked to the infamous prison island, Alcatraz for an investigation for the episode. The T.A.P.S team was joined by paranormal investigator Britt Griffith and Ghost Hunters International investigators Robb Demarest, Dustin Pari and Barry Fitzgerald.

The team began their investigation by collecting information about the history of the location and specifically the reported incidents of paranormal activity.

The first area of investigation that Jason and Grant conducted was in the Citadel at Alcatraz. At that location, the T.A.P.S. crew was able to capture an EVP (electronic voice phenomena) response.

Steve and Tango went to the hospital area where the Bird Man of Alcatraz (Robert Stroud) spent most of his time. Unusual spikes on the EMF (electro magnetic field) meter were noticed just before the duo heard strange grunting/growling noises that may have been a door. The two walked out of the room to investigate the sound, when they returned they noticed a distinct soapy smell.

Kris, Amy and Dustin went to the Citadel to check out the voice that Jason and Grant had heard and recorded earlier. Almost immediately, they heard and recorded a whispering voice.

Kris and Amy went on to Stroud's cell in the hospital area to investigate reports of full-body apparitions. They tested a new device that used multiple lasers to indicate movement.

Steve and Tango next went to cell block D to check out the cell where the Bird Man had been housed, after Britt and Barry investigated.

Kris, Amy and Barry checked out another cell block, specifically a cell where George "Machine Gun" Kelley had been housed. Kris saw a dark shadow that drew her up short as the three were walking along the cell block.

Jason and Grant went back to the Citadel to investigate again. They heard what sounded like footsteps in another hallway. They managed to capture recordings of the footsteps.

Next, Barry and Dustin went to the hospital area cell where Stroud had been housed and where Steve and Tango had noticed the strange smell.

Jason and Grant next went to cell block D, to a solitary confinement area. Reports of nausea and uncomfortable feelings had stemmed from this area, specifically two cells in solitary. The investigators noted a sewer smell from one of the cells and stated that sewer gas could cause visitors to feel nauseous. The two noted some things they saw that they could not explain and would investigate further by viewing video later on.

Steve and Tango went into the old solitary confinement area where they had a scintillating discussion about Willy Wonka's snacks and treats. The pressing question was whether a snozberry was real or not.

The next part of the investigation was the review of the evidence and finally the reveal. The recorded footsteps, a recorded whisper and a recorded voice saying "no" were presented. One recording featured a voice whispering the words "Harry, Brunette, 3, 7, 4." Upon further investigation, Jason and Grant discovered that prisoner number 374 had been a man named Harry Brunette.

Jason stated that Alcatraz seemed to have a combination of intelligent and residual hauntings.

Ghost Hunters airs on the Syfy channel at 9 Eastern, 8 Central on Wednesday nights.