Tacoma Ghosts

Tacoma Washington is a very interesting place. With places like the Tacoma Dome, and the Brown and Halley factory (where the world famous almond roca bars are made), you'd almost expect that something of the supernatural would be afoot. You'd be right.

I care not to bore you will all that is known of supernatural sightings in this quirky city in the Pacific Northwest. However, I will speak very specifically of the ghost that is said to haunt Point Defiance Park located in the Northwestern part of Tacoma. It is an odd tale, but is also well documented.

The story goes that back in the 1980's a young girl named Jennifer was kidnapped and possibly murdered someplace within the park, which is where her body was found. At the time of her abduction, she had be purported to have been riding her bicycle. Now it does seem odd at first glance, as you might wonder how important a bicycle can be to a ghost story, but let me assure you that it truly is important.

The details tend to vary from sighting to sighting. However, there are three generally agreed upon things.

1. Her bicycle can be heard in the dead of night when nobody is present.

2. If you do happen to see her, she will be smiling, but she will not have any eyes. Some reports claim that there are just black circles where her eyes should be.

3. She always appears in the region of the Five Mile Drive near where you can see the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

I have personally visited this park during the hours in which she is said to be sighted. However, none of my own visits have presented anything to confirm this report. I can not say with any certainty that this specter doesn't exist. However, I would be hesitant to say that it does not exist. Why?

1. There is an unsettling cold draft in the area around the times in which she is purported to show up, and this draft can be felt during the summer when it is still quite warm. I have experienced this myself.

2. There is also a certain sense of displacement, like something doesn't belong during this particular time of day.

My own observations are that there isn't enough information, thus my opinion at this time is "Inconclusive". I have read many of the reports regarding people claiming to see something, and I don't dare discount there belief that something is there. Exactly what it is has yet to been discerned. Perhaps it is merely an urban legend, one that people believe because of it's apparently credible nature. Perhaps it a demon masquerading as a deceased child, attempting to deceive people, or otherwise scare them into believing something that isn't actually true.

Perhaps I may yet make my way back towards this park, and visit that location again. Perhaps then I may find an answer to this strange haunting, whether it be urban legend or demonic activity. If it be merely an urban legend, then it is safe to dismiss. If it be a demon, then it is right to desire an exorcism upon this region. However, to perform such a rite on such a large area is beyond my understanding, and may require many priests to perform such a feat.

I would encourage wisdom and caution in venturing forth to investigate this phenomenon. As I have stated already, it may merely be an urban legend, based upon the fact that the body of dead child was found in the park. However, it may also be that a demon is running amok in Point Defiance. At this time, I can not conclusively say which it is.

If you should choose to investigate, here are my suggestions:

1. Talk with local police/park staff in advance. It is best to inform them of your intent, as it can be a misdemeanor to be found in the park after dusk.

2. Prepare in advance. Take time to pray, and perhaps consider going to confession. Demons have a way of knowing things, and unconfessed sins are among things demons seem to enjoy, as well as a lack of repentance on the part of those who happen upon their paths.

3. Consider bringing a priest with you. You are dealing with the possibility of coming face to face with a demon, a priest will be more aptly trained for this than many who are laity, though exceptions do exist.

4. Use a car. This should seem like common sense, but there is a good reason for this. Some reports indicate that if you do see her, she will likely give chase. While there are no reports of her catching up to anyone, there is no need to take any unnecessary risks. If you, or your chosen priest, proves unprepared for an encounter, you had best be prepared to escape, and quickly. Nobody should risk being the first victim of her chasing and actually catching them.

As with all demonic activity, I don't advise that anyone actually seeks it out. However, I am not at liberty to forbid such actions. Likewise, I refuse to accept any liability for attempt to investigate this phenomenon. I write this only to inform as to the existence of potential activity, not to encourage anyone to seek it out. If you do decide to investigate, you best understand that you do so at your own risk. I would sooner that you seek the advice of a professional. Amateur exorcists, especially those who have no real understanding of this doctrine, only risk pain or possible death seeking these things.

There are apparently other ghost stories about the city of Tacoma. Some are, likewise, found at Point Defiance. There are yet others as well, including a specter said to haunt the Tacoma Dome. I may write of these apparitions in future posts.