Alexandra Holzer: Woman in the Paranormal

In April of this year, the paranormal community received the news that the Father of Paranormal Research, Hans Holzer, passed away. Holzer earned other monikers during his lifetime, like “Father of the Paranormal” and “Father of Ghost Hunting.” Holzer wrote more than 140 books on the paranormal. He served as a consultant to the 1970’s hit show “In Search of…”, hosted by Leonard Nimoy. He even had his own television show called “Ghost Hunter.” In the paranormal world, the news of the passing of Hans Holzer gave cause for everyone to pause for a moment, and reflect on his accomplishments. Dan Aykroyd communicated it best, when he said recently that Hans Holzer was “probably the world’s most credible and respected ghostbuster.”

Holzer’s lifelong work in the paranormal cemented a foundation on which future generations could build. The research in the paranormal continues worldwide. The Holzer torch has been passed to his daughter, and she is off and running with it.

Alexandra Holzer, 38, hails from a family of paranormal royalty in more ways than one. Holzer’s mother is Countess Catherine Buxhoeveden, Countess to the Baron side of the Royal Russian Family. The lineage includes Catherine the Great. Holzer’s 2008 memoir Growing Up Haunted: A Ghostly Memoir tells what it was like to grow up as a “haunted” Holzer. The book also provides details of her family lineage, including the collision between the paranormal and royalty, when her father met her mother.

Holzer does not live the life of a princess. In fact, her daily life is busy and hectic. She is married with four children under the age of 11. She writes sci-fi fantasy novels, horror thrillers, children’s short stories, poetry, and screenplays. She regularly guests on the paranormal talk radio circuit. She has a growing list of projects including reality television shows in development, as well as a movie.

Between all of this, she made time to chat with Paranormal Old Pueblo.

Question 1: I read that you have four children who keep you very busy and close to home. Can you already sense that one of them might follow in the Holzer footsteps?

I most certainly do. The eldest is only ten but is quite aware of her grandfather’s books and mine. She would more than likely follow as already an avid reader and writer who has the creative side in the arts for music, art and literature. She likes ghosts and witches, and making up fantasy lands. “Twilight” is her new thing now. Oy vey.

Question 2: What upcoming shows or projects would you like to share?

I am working on a new screenplay, as one is already in the process as we speak of ‘interest’ as I can’t say much more about that. But my producer and I are very excited and hopeful.

I began two new books and am looking to get back on air with a partner friend of mine who’s a veteran DJ of twenty-five years. I created a show for a station in Berks County, Pennsylvania for Y102 Rock FM where he works. We’re working on doing that again.

I get invitations for many lectures at many venues. However, as you know, I rarely venture away from New York. But, as we move along, coping with the obstacles and learning to live with Type 1 diabetes for our six-year old daughter, now on the insulin pump. We need to live and accept nothing is perfect. So, I am slowly taking on some venues and we’ll see how it goes.

I am not big on these conferences, you know, as the few I have done didn’t do much for me. I like talking to people but the book selling/vendor part isn’t for me. I am not a salesman and cannot lie. I ended up giving away more books then I sold one year. I have to work on that. I am also in talks for my TV shows I have written and continue to write as I work with my agent and management team.

A lot is happening, slowly at times, but it is moving. I am able to connect with some good souls and industry professionals who believe in me and respect my back story and life. The rest will flow. And who knows what will come down the pike for me as I work very hard to let others know I exist and have something positive to say. Period. I won’t give up and I don’t mind who thinks what as long as I help and make a difference.

I am also active in helping some local animal rescue services that have given us two of our own; and as a Vegan now, feel even more ‘spirited’, if you will, to lead that pack and promote adoption and rescue versus breeding and selling.

Of course the nearest and dearest to my heart is the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) for children’s diabetes, and we’re hoping and praying they find a cure to revive the pancreas. There are talks about using the thirty-year old TB vaccine as it has many uses so we’re hopeful.

 Continue to Part 2: Woman in the Paranormal Interview, Orbs and Demons Part 2 of 5

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

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University of Toronto

From my observation, there are two types of people who are attracted to ghost hunting. On the one hand, there are those who wish to find answers through planned, methodical research. Then, there are those who simply are looking for that “high” that comes through the thrill of the chase. Unfortunately, a 29 year-old woman, who fell into the latter category is dead. Her thrill of the chase ended the other day when she literally fell three stories from the top of a university building at the University of Toronto. The woman was intoxicated, and her death was labeled “Death by misadventure” by the authorities.

Most of us have set out on some sort of adventure to get that thrill of the chase at one time or another, typically during our youth. Some have tried to contact the other side by playing with Ouija boards. Middle of the night visits to cemeteries by others. Who doesn’t love sitting around a campfire to conjure up spooky, ghostly tales? Contrary to those urban legends that claim otherwise, these ghosthunting activities are typically harmless. To die from paranormal “misadventure” is a rare occurance, but it has happened.

I write about the paranormal due to my interest in the “science” behind it. Only through scientific research will we get answers to the questions we pose about unexplained phenomena. Tucson is fortunate to have so many paranormal professionals. Dr. Gary Schwartz, Mark Boccuzzi and Professor William Everist are just a few people involved in actual academic research at institutions of higher education. Professor Everist teaches a course every Fall semester at Pima Community College, called “Investigating Paranormal Psychology.” The class, which caps at 35, is in progress and is only half full. It could be that the class is held on Wednesday evenings and that it isn’t convenient to commit to an entire semester. Professor Everist is speaking at Columbus library on September 21st, with the topic “The Paranormal is the Normal Unexplored.”  There are 4 spots left on a Monday night. To RSVP, you need to join the Tucson Metaphysics group. Unfortunately, thrill seekers won’t take advantage of training and aren’t the least bit interested in the research.

With so many people interested in ghost hunting these days, I need to communicate that ghost hunting trips should never be spur of the moment acivties. If planning to visit a location at night, you absolutely must first visit in the daytime, to enlighten yourself of potential dangers, using natural daylight. Never set off on a ghost hunting adventure alone. Tell other people where you are going and what time you will be back. Most importantly, don’t go off on a ghost hunting adventure while intoxicated. That’s simply stupid.