Gosport author publishes book detailing paranormal experiences with the spirit of a child in her family's home
WHEN Shella Hewett moved into a house in Gosport with her family, she did not believe in the paranormal.
However, a series of events and happenings over the next 13 years introduced Shella to Elizabeth, the spirit of a child who lived at the turn of the 20th century.
Shella, 48, has decided to share her memories and experiences in her first book Elizabeth - Spirit of a Child, which has been published by London-based Austin Macauley.
The author said: ‘It’s a completely true story and I wanted to share with people exactly what I have experienced.
‘I was haunted by the spirit of a little girl and I had all sorts of connections with her.
‘I have had to bare my soul really but I know it all happened and I just wanted to share her story.’
The Hewett family, including Shella’s then-husband Graham and their children Mia and Sam, moved into their previous home in Gosport in 2005.
They soon began experiencing unexplainable things, and came into contact with Elizabeth, a seven-year-old girl who used to live in the house before she died from tuberculosis.
Shella, who works in hospitality, said the family only ended up buying the property after a few different options fell through.
She said: ‘Before this, I really wasn’t a believer in the paranormal. I always looked for logical explanations.
‘Until you experience something yourself, especially the amount I experienced, you don’t know it goes on.
‘Maybe because we had that family unit, she latched onto us. It was never frightful, she never did anything malicious or horrible.
‘It was so comforting to know she was happy coming back to visit because she wanted to.’
Shella’s book is based on the detailed notes she kept while living in the house, and tells of communication with Elizabeth through tapping and knocking to answer questions.
The cover of the book, which features a fridge with the reflection of a little girl, is related to one of the chapters in the tale, which is dedicated to Shella’s nan and to Elizabeth.
Shella, who still gets contact from Elizabeth in her new home, said: ‘She gave me the story to write, I couldn’t have done it without her.
‘I have written the story for her because she’s gone to so much effort.’