Ian

Inside the team

Curiosity with
purpose.

IAN Lead Investigator & OG Co-Founder — Hide & Seek Paraquest THE ORIGINAL PARANORMAL PIONEER

Ian Lea has been part of the Hide & Seek journey since 2005.

Born in the UK and now based in Australia, Ian is one of the original co-founders of Hide and Seek Paranormal Research, helping establish what would become Hide & Seek Paraquest.

With decades of paranormal experience behind him, Ian has investigated countless locations, witnessed experiences he still struggles to explain and helped introduce public paranormal investigation events at a time when very few groups were doing anything similar.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

Ian's fascination with the paranormal began during his teenage years after experiencing too many unexplained events to simply ignore.

One of the most significant happened when Ian was around 12 or 13 years old.

While out in the woods near his home in Wigan, UK, Ian and two friends witnessed what appeared to be Lady Mabel, a famous local ghost.

But seeing her wasn't the only strange part.

Ian and his friends were apparently followed by the figure for around 400 metres as they made their way home.

It was an experience that would stay with him for life.

FROM OUija BOARDS TO HIDE & SEEK

Ian's earliest paranormal experimentation involved Ouija boards with school friends.

Things began happening that scared the hell out of them.

Those early experiences eventually developed into a lifelong passion for exploring the unknown.

When Ian came to Australia in 2003, he met John through a mutual friend.

The rest, as they say, is history.

In 2005, Ian and John formed Hide and Seek Paranormal Research.

At the time, public paranormal investigation was still a relatively new concept.

Very few groups were running public events, and many historic locations weren't yet open to the idea.

Ian and the team were among the early pioneers.

THE EARLY YEARS

Over the years, Hide & Seek was involved in numerous investigations and events at locations that would become iconic within Australia's paranormal community.

J Ward.

Aradale.

Old Melbourne Gaol.

These were among the locations where HSPQ helped establish a history of public paranormal investigation.

The team achieved a number of firsts in the field, long before paranormal investigation events became as common as they are today.

After taking a break in the middle to raise their families, Ian eventually returned to doing what he loves.

And after all these years, he's still here.

THE OLD MELBOURNE GAOL

With hundreds of investigations behind him, choosing one favourite experience is almost impossible.

But one stands above the rest.

Old Melbourne Gaol.

It was HSPQ's very first investigation.

Ian remembers being nervous that night, but the investigation itself produced a piece of footage that he believes has never been bettered.

A locked-off camera was positioned in the condemned cell facing the gallows.

During the recording, an image appeared that seems to show a person hanging.

What makes the footage particularly striking to Ian is that the figure appears to drop into frame from above, rather than simply appearing in the image.

Further research uncovered another extraordinary coincidence.

The investigation took place on the anniversary of the hanging of Colin Campbell Ross, whose case became historically significant as the first Australian case in which DNA evidence was used.

Ian believes the figure captured may have been Ross.

For Ian, the combination of the footage, the location and the historical connection makes that investigation unforgettable.

WHAT INTERESTS IAN MOST?

Ian is particularly interested in physical and personal experiences.

While capturing an incredible photograph or piece of video can be an exciting trophy from an investigation, Ian says it doesn't feel the same as personally experiencing something unexplained.

For him, nothing beats being there.

Feeling it.

Seeing it.

Experiencing it yourself.

HIS MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT

Ian's must-have investigation equipment isn't a machine.

It's his:

Own senses.

He believes no piece of technology can replace the experience of personally sensing something unexplained.

For physical and personal experiences, his own senses remain his most important tool.

THE GEELONG GAOL EXPERIENCE

One of Ian's strangest investigation experiences happened at Geelong Gaol.

During an Estes session using a Spirit Box, responses directed members of the team to investigate different areas.

The team split up to try to capture evidence.

As soon as they left, things suddenly escalated.

Cat balls began activating.

White flashes appeared in the room.

The sudden change in activity left Ian describing the experience as simply:

Crazy.

THE CHILDREN SINGING

Another unexplained experience happened at Upper Yarra Museum.

Ian was preparing to conduct a group Estes session using a Spirit Box.

The strange part?

Nothing had actually been switched on yet.

Despite that, Ian could hear children singing through his headphones.

It remains one of those experiences he can't easily explain.

QUESTIONING THE PARANORMAL

After decades in the field, Ian has developed a healthy scepticism about paranormal claims.

He's particularly concerned about the rise of social media influencers and paranormal groups that rely heavily on equipment.

His concern is that equipment may flash, beep or make a noise and immediately be labelled as a spirit communicating — even when the equipment may not have been used correctly.

Ian believes this creates a problem for the paranormal field.

Not everything that makes a noise is a ghost.

Not every flashing device is evidence.

And when questionable evidence is repeatedly presented online as fact, people watching can easily accept the explanation without questioning it.

For Ian, proper investigation means questioning the equipment, understanding how it works and considering alternative explanations.

THE EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGED HIS PERSPECTIVE

Ian always believed physical paranormal experiences were possible.

But one experience made him step back and appreciate just how intense they could become.

While investigating Barwon Park Mansion with John, something happened in Elizabeth Austin's bedroom.

Ian describes witnessing John having what appeared to be an intense physical experience where he was seemingly “thrown” across the room towards an apparition believed to have been Elizabeth Austin.

Seeing something physical happen so close to him changed the way Ian looked at what might be possible.

WHAT IAN BRINGS TO HSPQ

After decades in the paranormal field, Ian brings an enormous amount of experience and knowledge.

But experience isn't the only thing he brings.

Ian also brings a sense of calmness when things become intense.

Having witnessed everything from unexplained sounds and visual phenomena to physical experiences, he's learned to stay composed and work through whatever an investigation may bring.

THE HSPQ FAMILY

For Ian, one of the best parts of HSPQ is helping other people experience what he's been fortunate enough to experience over the years.

He particularly enjoys the friendships and laughs during the journeys to and from locations.

Sometimes the investigation starts long before you arrive at the building.

And sometimes the best memories are made on the road.

WHAT HSPQ MEANS TO IAN

Ian considers himself blessed to still be part of the team.

After more than two decades of paranormal investigation, HSPQ continues to give him opportunities to learn, experience and explore the unknown.

It's also a chance to share that experience with a new generation of investigators and guests.

HORROR & PARANORMAL

Ian doesn't have one particular favourite horror movie.

His criteria are simple:

“Anything that makes your heart miss a beat.”

His favourite paranormal television show is Most Haunted (UK).

THE CASTLES OF THE UK

If Ian could investigate anywhere in the world, he'd head back to the old castles of the United Kingdom.

With thousands of years of history behind some of these locations, Ian believes the combination of age, history and reported paranormal activity would make for an incredible investigation.

LADY MABEL — AGAIN

If Ian could investigate one historical haunting, he'd return to where his own paranormal journey began.

Lady Mabel.

After experiencing the famous apparition as a child, Ian would love to return as an adult and properly investigate what is happening there.

It would be a chance to revisit one of the experiences that helped shape his lifelong fascination with the paranormal.

IF IAN COULD HAVE A PARANORMAL ABILITY

Ian would choose:

Mediumship.

After decades of investigating potential paranormal communication, the ability to directly communicate with spirits would take his investigations to another level.

SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW

Despite his long history in paranormal investigation, there is something much more ordinary that people might be surprised to learn about Ian.

He has two sausage dogs.

Because apparently even paranormal pioneers need someone waiting at home for them.

WHY INVESTIGATE WITH HSPQ?

Ian believes HSPQ investigations are suitable for people at every stage of their paranormal journey.

Whether you're completely new or have years of experience, the events are designed to be:

Safe.

Fun.

Informative.

Educational.

But above all, Ian believes the team is made up of great people who will do everything they can to give guests the best opportunity to experience paranormal activity for themselves.

HSPQ isn't about telling you what to believe.

It's about giving you the opportunity to investigate, experience and decide for yourself.

Welcome to Hide & Seek Paraquest. Over 20 years of experience. Still questioning the unknown.