Shivangi Sinha
Personal accounts and documentation of alleged paranormal encounters often leave a lasting imprint on those who experience them, affecting their mental and emotional state for years. Such events can shape a person’s outlook and instill a sense of fear, curiosity, or unresolved tension that lingers long after the incidents themselves. In Netflix’s ‘True Haunting’ episodes titled ‘Erie Hall,’ Chris DiCesare recounts an experience of this kind from his time as a student at SUNY Geneseo. He describes witnessing unexplained phenomena that supposedly defied logic. It was an ordeal that profoundly impacted him and has continued to haunt his memories even decades later.
Chris DiCesare Claimed that He Faced Physical Manifestations of His Alleged Paranormal Experience
According to Christopher “Chris” DiCesare, his unsettling experiences began soon after he enrolled at SUNY Geneseo in 1985 on a track and field scholarship. He was living in Room C2D1 of Erie Hall with his roommate, Paul, and it was everything he had imagined it to be. Chris often ran through the wooded trails near campus to train, where he sometimes reported sensing an unexplained presence watching him. In early February 1985, he attended a lecture by famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. During the post-lecture meet-and-greet, Lorraine allegedly refused to shake his hand, saying, “I don’t want to know my future.” Around 11 days later, Chris claimed he began hearing a disembodied voice calling his name in his dorm room.
By February 1985, he and his neighbor, J. Jeff Ungar, claimed to have taken a photograph in which a shadowy skeletal figure could be seen. Soon, word got around and Chris was mocked and even given the name “Ghost Boy,” and this only made things harder for him. From February to March, disturbances allegedly intensified, and Chris said he was scratched by an unseen force while he was in the show. The friends decided to get the college priest to bless the room, but it allegedly did not help much. Chris claimed that soon his friends also began sensing the same eerie presence, and one of them, Beth, was allegedly attacked in an unexplained manner.
His roommate, Paul, reportedly moved out a day after both of them saw an apparition in their bedroom. Chris referred to the entity as “Tommy,” a name he chose at random to avoid ridicule. During one of his runs, he came across the grave of Thomas Boyd, a US soldier said to have been tortured by Native Americans. After visiting the grave, the haunting reportedly stopped. Years later, Chris discovered that one of his ancestors, Adam Hubley, had documented Boyd’s ordeal, which he believed connected their fates.
Chris DiCesare Intends to Loudly and Proudly Speak About His Experiences Today
Over the years, Chris DiCesare shared that he and the friends who had allegedly experienced the haunting at Erie Hall gradually drifted apart. After completing his studies at SUNY Geneseo, he moved forward with his life, attempting to distance himself from the story that had followed him for decades. However, as time passed, Chris began to embrace his experiences and speak openly about them. Today, he is an author, lecturer, and motivational speaker who is often featured in discussions surrounding paranormal phenomena and unexplained encounters. Chris has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including ‘School Spirits,’ ‘Please Talk With Me,’ and ‘My Horror Story,’ where he recounted the alleged events that occurred between September 1984 and December 1985.
His detailed recollections and reflective insights have made him a central figure in what has now become a well-known legend about the supposed haunting of Erie Hall. In September 2025, Chris released his latest book, ‘The Ghost Boy of Erie Hall,’ in which he revisits his experiences and reflects on how they shaped his life and beliefs. He has also contributed as a co-author to ‘Facing Spirit: Spirit Art Mediumship & Thinking Outside the Box,’ further establishing his voice in discussions around spirituality and the paranormal. Academically, Chris holds a Master of Arts in Education and Social Studies from Walden University and studied Special Education at Manhattanville University.
A former AAU Junior Olympics National Cross Country competitor, his early athletic discipline continues to influence his work ethic and outlook. He is represented by CITA Ventures and frequently participates in events, panels, and public speaking engagements. In September 2025, he was a featured speaker at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum and had even been a guest on Ghost Chronicles, where he discussed both his personal story and his broader views on fear and the unexplained.
Chris DiCesare is Taken by the Love for His Granddaughter
In all the time he has had, Chris DiCesare’s greatest pillars of strength have been his family. His parents, Vito and Patricia DiCesare, remain close to his life in New Windsor, New York, and often visit him. They have shared simple but lovable moments like going out together for ice cream. Chris and his wife have raised two children who are now grown, yet family time continues to hold a special place in his heart. Whether it’s meeting for dinner or just spending an evening together, Chris values every opportunity to be surrounded by his loved ones.
His son, Matthew DiCesare, and his granddaughter, Sylvie, are frequent visitors, filling his home with laughter and warmth. He often expresses how much he treasures watching his family thrive and create new memories together. Despite his public persona as “The Ghost Boy of Erie Hall,” at his core, Chris is a devoted family man who finds peace and purpose in the people closest to him. His love for his children and granddaughter reflects the importance he places on love, connection, and grounding himself in the life he has built.
