Linda Godfrey was an exemplary paranormal researcher from my home state of Wisconsin. As I was coming of age, she broke the story of the Bray Road Beast stalking Elkhorn, less than 30 minutes from the rural town where I grew up. I often write and speak about long-dead heroines of paranormal investigation. However, I didn’t speak very often about the woman whose research inspired me the most. That is because until last Sunday, when she passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, she was very much alive.

Early on, Linda Godfrey showed me that a female writer could do amazing things and bring extraordinary tales to light. She made me realize that I too could defy convention by exploring incredible possibilities and daring to face life’s mysteries head-on.

  Linda Godfrey, Chad Lewis, and Allison Jornlin

As I struggled on my own investigative road, Linda embraced my skepticism and reminded me to stay true to my findings. She consoled me by revealing that some remain angry with her for labeling the still ubiquitous Gable Film a hoax.

Linda receiving the Wisconsin Paranormal Researcher of the Year at the Milwaukee Paracon with Milwaukee Ghost Walks guide, Tea Krulos, and paranormal researcher Kimberley Poeppey.

Linda welcomed me into what she called her “Strong Women Group” and confirmed for me that being open to extraordinary claims didn't mean you believed every report that came your way. You could and should employ critical thinking skills and be selective. Her many trips into the field demonstrated clearly that investigators investigate and share their findings no matter who those findings confound, be they skeptics or believers.

Author Kevin Lee Nelson recalls that Linda was “a den mother for all other researchers in the area.” This certainly was true for me.

  Linda Godfrey action figure from the "Paranormal In Plastic" series by Charlie's Custom Toys

Linda worried about me driving alone to sighting locations, so she hung a protective amulet crafted by a La Crosse Man-Bat witness from my rearview mirror. She also invited me to share meals and go hiking in Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine State Forest. She even went out of her way to arrange media appearances for me and got me paying gigs in speaking and writing. In fact, we used to joke that she was my agent.

  Having fun at the Marinette/Menominee Bigfoot Convention 2019.

But although Linda certainly was nurturing, she was also fun and spontaneous. When she invited me to sleepover and have a girls’ night, I felt like a giggly teenager again sitting with her on the couch, eating her homemade brownies while we watched spooky documentaries.

I will always be reminded of Linda's fearless and cheerful spirit when I go into the field or do something daring or something creative. See you on the other side, my friend.

  Linda Godfrey (1951-2022)

Donations to support Parkinson's Disease research can be given in Linda's name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Read her obituary here and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in Linda's name.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Allison and some of the American Ghost Walks crew conducted several interviews with Linda over the years as part of the See You On The Other Side podcast, including one of her final interviews to celebrate her work for the 30th anniversary of the publication of the original article that introduced "The Beast of Bray Road" to the world. You can click on the playlist below to listen to that interview and several more about her books and investigations into cryptozoology and the paranormal.

Click here to explore all of Linda's books at Amazon