Kerouac Home Investigation Records Unexplained Activity
A paranormal team spent the night in the St. Petersburg house and captured footage of moving objects and sensor responses.
By Harper Laurent ·
Visitors to the Jack Kerouac House in St. Petersburg can now book overnight stays to sleep in the same rooms the writer and his wife, Stella, occupied before their deaths. The property has been open to the public since the pandemic, preserving the furniture, dishes, and books that have remained untouched for decades. On July 18, 2026, a local paranormal group called SPIRITS of St. Petersburg conducted a full-night investigation inside the home.
The team consists of six members, three of whom stayed in the bedrooms. They used equipment including electromagnetic field detectors, temperature monitors, and devices known as REM pods. The REM pods are modified theremins that generate noise when disturbances occur in the surrounding field. The group also recorded video and audio in the living room and Jack Kerouac’s former bedroom.
During the session, the team reported that the sensors activated while the rooms were empty. One light sensor turned on after the investigators sat still and asked Jack Kerouac to trigger it again. The team had previously tested the device to rule out vibrations or movement from the investigators themselves. Footage from a camera in an empty room showed the REM pod activating without anyone nearby. No cell phones were present to create false data signals.
The investigators also captured what they describe as a rod image on video. A rod is an elongated, translucent shape that moves with purpose, distinct from dust or insects. The specific image recorded on the left side of the screen moved against the airflow from the air conditioning vents. The team slowed the footage to 0.002 times its normal speed to analyze the object, which appeared white and textured. No one in the room reported seeing bugs, and no overnight guests were bitten.
Audio recordings from the living room and bedroom contained faint male whispers. The sounds were soft and difficult to decipher but appeared to coincide with the team’s activities. Sensitives on the team reported feeling the presence of Stella Kerouac, particularly in the kitchen and bedroom. One member described a mental image of the widow kneeling to pray beside her bed.
The group also conducted a table-tipping session on the porch and in the dining room. They placed their fingertips on the table and waited for it to move. The table reportedly moved toward the dining room bookshelf, which holds some of Stella’s books. The team noted that this area was likely a favorite spot for the couple to entertain guests.
The investigation concluded with the team packing up their equipment. They left a glass of wine and a margarita on the table, items they set out for the couple. The group plans to return for a fundraiser during National Day of Ghost Hunting in 2027. They intend to offer introductory sessions and share their evidence with the public. The house owners allowed the team to eat from the Kerouacs’ original dishes during the stay.
Brandy Stark, founder of SPIRITS of St. Petersburg, led the investigation. She has been involved with the Kerouac property since 2002, when she first encountered the writer’s name in a local bookstore. Her team’s findings include video of moving objects, audio of whispers, and sensor data that activated in empty rooms. The group continues to document their experiences in the historic home.
