Ghost Whisperers: Bereaved turn to mediums, experts debunk claims of contacting dead

While the video has garnered millions of views, over 9.4 million views, paranormal experts have debunked this mode of communication.

In the video, Chicago-based Steve Huffs allegedly attempted to communicate with the spirit of the late actor using a device called The Astral Doorway and claimed that his methods were authentic and had been verified the world over. However, the response to his video was mixed. One commenter said, “Shame on you, Steve. Don’t do such a thing again,” while another said, “Go for a live session so that we are convinced.”

According to local paranormal experts, Huff’s system holds little merit as there isn’t much information on The Astral Doorway. Medium and spirit world researcher Vikkravandi Ravichandran said that spirits that haven’t died a natural death cannot be contacted without the family performing certain rituals. “Huff did this to seek attention and it was wrong,” Ravichandran said, adding, “In my 46 years of practice, I know we cannot reach out to the souls without connecting with the family. We don’t know how his spirit box works so cannot validate his claims.”

Local mental health experts said people turn to paranormal experts in an attempt to heal. “while grieving, many make statements such as ‘I wish I had died instead of them’, or even denying the fact that the loved one has departed. This leads many people to turn such opportunities and seek closure,” said psychiatrist Dr R Vasanth. Huff also claimed that many of Rajput’s fans reached out to him to conduct a session. Criticising this, Ravichandran said such a practice is wrong. “I have never encouraged fans of a celebrity and would rather reach out the families of famous people who would need my help,” he said.