From Doom Scrolling to Dream Project

Heather grew up with a view of the Boston skyline but always felt a pull toward the mountains. After years of traveling through the Mountain State with her family, she felt certain that West Virginia was where she belonged. Her search for a unique home and business led her to “doom scroll” through Zillow with very specific keywords. She looked for properties like asylums, morgues, and funeral homes until she found the former Tankersley Funeral Home in Mullens. Today, she is working to renovate the building and preserve its history as a paranormal destination.

“I would doomscroll on Zillow and I would keyword search everywhere: funeral, doctor, asylum, morgue. It didn’t matter, I threw the keywords in there to see what I could come up with.”

Bridging the Gap Between Worlds

Bonnie, a psychic medium and investigator, joined the project to help understand the energy within the manor. Having experienced the paranormal since she was two years old, she views spirits simply as people who have crossed over. She believes that spirits return to the people and places they loved in life, rather than being tied to their physical remains. During her time at the funeral home, she has felt a wide range of human emotions that remain within the walls. For Bonnie and Heather, these experiences offer a sense of hope and a deeper understanding of what follows this life.

“My first impressions when I walked in was I could feel a lot of the emotions that are held in that space, very sacred emotions. There’s sadness, there’s love, there’s joy, there’s all kinds of just very human emotions stored in the energy there in that building.”

Navigating the Small Town Sewing Circle

Opening a business focused on the afterlife in a tight-knit community can be a challenge. While many locals welcomed Heather with open arms, she also faced a wave of “Satanic Panic”. After posting photos of Baphomet statues for sale in her shop, some residents labeled her a Satanist and spread rumors online. Heather remains transparent about her intentions, inviting anyone with concerns to come in and talk. Despite the occasional “stink eye” or social media drama, she is dedicated to being a responsible business owner and helping those who are grieving find peace.

“If having that makes me a Satanist, you have to also know that I am Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and you can literally go down the list because I’ve yet to find a population of people with a set of beliefs that do not experience death.”

Curious about the full story of the “Satanic Panic” in Mullens? You won’t believe some of the strange things caught on camera in this old funeral home. Grab some popcorn and check out the original video to see the investigation for yourself!