MEET THE TEAM
C.E.O / Ghost Huntress - Maryanne Porter - (a.k.a "Mari")
Founder of the Santa Cruz Ghost Hunters, proprietor of Santa Cruz Haunted Tours, and author of Haunted Santa Cruz, California.
Mari is a former criminal justice major, who recently went back to college in pursuit of a masters degree in forensic psychology. She is a county employee who worked as a front line worker throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as well as, assisting evacuees with emergency shelter, during the devastating CZU fires.
Mari, developed an interest in the paranormal at a very young age, often hearing seeing and feeling things in her childhood home, that were disembodied in nature. Raised in a very strict Roman Catholic family, with even an uncle who while alive, was a presiding Cardinal within the Vatican representing the country of Austria; under Pope John Paul the 2nd. The fearful catholic upbringing of good vs evil, only fueled her curiosity to want to learn more of things that most would consider taboo.
Mari, also grew interested in the darker history of Santa Cruz and has dedicated much of her time as a historical researcher. Even going so far as to researching and interviewing imprisoned serial killers, all the while curious to know if they are haunted by their acts, or are they truly the epitome of an evil psychotic consciousness.
Mari's voyage into the paranormal has guided her to trying to help the living understand, when faced with their own paranormal experiences, and if willing, setting the spirits of the forgotten, free.
Founder of the Santa Cruz Ghost Hunters, proprietor of Santa Cruz Haunted Tours, and author of Haunted Santa Cruz, California.
Mari is a former criminal justice major, who recently went back to college in pursuit of a masters degree in forensic psychology. She is a county employee who worked as a front line worker throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as well as, assisting evacuees with emergency shelter, during the devastating CZU fires.
Mari, developed an interest in the paranormal at a very young age, often hearing seeing and feeling things in her childhood home, that were disembodied in nature. Raised in a very strict Roman Catholic family, with even an uncle who while alive, was a presiding Cardinal within the Vatican representing the country of Austria; under Pope John Paul the 2nd. The fearful catholic upbringing of good vs evil, only fueled her curiosity to want to learn more of things that most would consider taboo.
Mari, also grew interested in the darker history of Santa Cruz and has dedicated much of her time as a historical researcher. Even going so far as to researching and interviewing imprisoned serial killers, all the while curious to know if they are haunted by their acts, or are they truly the epitome of an evil psychotic consciousness.
Mari's voyage into the paranormal has guided her to trying to help the living understand, when faced with their own paranormal experiences, and if willing, setting the spirits of the forgotten, free.
Paranormal Investigator-Officer Timothy Loe:
Retired; Air Force Technical Sergeant, with 20 years of law enforcement - investigative experience. Ten years with the Federal Bureau / Prison’s, as a Corrections Officer, Special Operations Team Member, Tactical Liaison & Hostage Negotiator. Currently a Santa Cruz County Sheriff Volunteer patrolman, I also teach Personal Safety, to 2nd grade classes within Santa Cruz County; in addition to Home, and Business Safety and Security Inspections, for the Sheriff’s Office..
Tim is the muscle of S.C.G.H. He not only grounds the team, he also ensures the safety of team members by inspecting basements, cellars, tunnels, hidden passageways etc. All the while keeping an eye out for any potential lost historical clues or areas which may be leaking high electric magnetic fields.
Retired; Air Force Technical Sergeant, with 20 years of law enforcement - investigative experience. Ten years with the Federal Bureau / Prison’s, as a Corrections Officer, Special Operations Team Member, Tactical Liaison & Hostage Negotiator. Currently a Santa Cruz County Sheriff Volunteer patrolman, I also teach Personal Safety, to 2nd grade classes within Santa Cruz County; in addition to Home, and Business Safety and Security Inspections, for the Sheriff’s Office..
Tim is the muscle of S.C.G.H. He not only grounds the team, he also ensures the safety of team members by inspecting basements, cellars, tunnels, hidden passageways etc. All the while keeping an eye out for any potential lost historical clues or areas which may be leaking high electric magnetic fields.
Wishing Beth Gemeny Thaxton- Congratulations on her new life with her new husband...We will miss our team adventures together, but wish you both blessings in your new lives with one another...S.C.G.H
Paranormal Investigator - Beth Gemeny : Identity and Access Management - Engineer specialist, with Tesla, former Senior Engineer with Amazon Corporation, previously the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Architect at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. With over 25 years in the tech industry.
Beth is the Equipment Specialist Tech for S.C.G.H. She is knowledgeable on the functionality and usage of the equipment we use to detect paranormal activity as wells as, what natural causes can interfere with said equipment. Her expertise helps with confirmation and debunking natural from supernatural phenomenon.
(Beth announced her retirement from the S.C.G.H team / 2021 - We wish her the best of luck in her new adventures!)
Beth is the Equipment Specialist Tech for S.C.G.H. She is knowledgeable on the functionality and usage of the equipment we use to detect paranormal activity as wells as, what natural causes can interfere with said equipment. Her expertise helps with confirmation and debunking natural from supernatural phenomenon.
(Beth announced her retirement from the S.C.G.H team / 2021 - We wish her the best of luck in her new adventures!)
Paranormal Investigator / Research Specialist - Rhiannon Mai:
Rhiannon has over 15 years experience with the City of Santa Cruz, she has vast knowledge in the library systems throughout the county and the research material that are housed within. Rhiannon specializes as a research assistant to S.C.G.H pertaining to history and local documentation.
Rhiannon has over 15 years experience with the City of Santa Cruz, she has vast knowledge in the library systems throughout the county and the research material that are housed within. Rhiannon specializes as a research assistant to S.C.G.H pertaining to history and local documentation.
Videographer & Assistant Editor, (Summer Intern) - Ian Anderson
Ian is a film and Cog-Sci major at UC Santa Cruz. He’s the newcomer to the crew, bringing with him his photography and videomaking experience. Growing up in Scotts Valley, he’s always been exploring lesser known urban and outdoor places, however only now, will he confront the paranormal! He’ll be filming up-close-and-personal with the S.C.G.H team and assisting executive producers in editing projects, putting it together to show the world the mysterious town of Santa Cruz!
Ian is a film and Cog-Sci major at UC Santa Cruz. He’s the newcomer to the crew, bringing with him his photography and videomaking experience. Growing up in Scotts Valley, he’s always been exploring lesser known urban and outdoor places, however only now, will he confront the paranormal! He’ll be filming up-close-and-personal with the S.C.G.H team and assisting executive producers in editing projects, putting it together to show the world the mysterious town of Santa Cruz!