April Slaughter Interview About The Probe – Part 1

By Martha Decker Hazzard

Have you been probed yet? Do you know what the Probe, created by Andy Coppock, even looks like? April Slaughter is one of four individuals, in addition to Coppock, who are testing the Probe for its possible ability to assist in communicating with those who are no longer living. Slaughter has spent years in the paranormal community as a researcher, investigator and writer. It was only natural for her to talk to Coppock about his latest paranormal Instrumental Transcommunication device (EVP & ITC). Slaughter calls it “The Probe.”

Slaughter said the device, while similar to other devices on the market is not the same thing. She said that Coppock has modified the internal working of the device. He started using the device while investigating a paranormal case involving an autistic child, according to Slaughter. Then after getting unexpected results, Coppock began testing the device in other ways. He reached out to Slaughter because she has a daughter with epilepsy and there may be a way to help her with the device when she has seizures.

She said Coppock had the device present for a gathering at the Black Swan Inn and she initially went to strictly observe the participation and results. What occurred “changed her life.” This was her first experience with the device. There is a video one can view on YouTube to see how the Probe works, according to Slaughter. She doesn’t like to share any photographs of the device without permission from Coppock. Slaughter has only showed a picture of it once, and that was at the Haunted America Conference in IL and put together by Troy Taylor. She will be back again next summer to talk about how her research has been going with the Probe.

While she was at the Black Swan, Slaughter had an unexpected and unplanned connection with her grandfather through the Probe. She asked to speak with her grandfather. It lasted 11 minutes and has profoundly changed her life. Slaughter said they talked about many family matters, including her daughter and her health. She asked a question everyone wants an answer too – what is it like over there. Her grandfather, commenting on their religious beliefs, told her, “It’s not like we thought.” Slaughter said, “it put me in a state of shock. It seemed like this was the Holy Grail of the paranormal world.” She would have liked it if everyone could have this experience. She said the experience with the Probe has validated her doubts and her beliefs. She feels her grandfather is around often and things he discussed with her were things she has told no one. It was the validation she needed to know that she was speaking with her grandfather. Slaughter said the experience has changed her life, called the event incredible and was able to witness 20 additional conversations held by other participants.

Slaughter has researched and investigated the paranormal for 15 years. She now leans toward ITC research more than going on investigation. Slaughter said there are plenty of investigators in the field to conduct paranormal investigations. EVP work is important to Slaughter. She said that she has seen ITC devices used with successful results. She tries to consistently collect research and has a variety of devices to choose from. Slaughter said she has been fortunate to be able to acquire different devices from several different investors. She has Frank’s boxes that were built for her use by Frank Sumption. She has several different types of mini boxes, ovilus and what is commonly referred to as Radio Shack hacks. You can listen to some of her EVP sessions on paranormalsource.com, where she is a cofounder along with her husband.

Where does Slaughter use the Probe and her other devices? According to Slaughter she conducts most of her sessions at her home. She also visits locations that have given off “good energy.” She feels privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with the Probe and is “very protective” of the device.  She explained that she has not allowed anyone to hold the Probe and believes that she is imprinting with the Probe. Slaughter said that there are ITC devices that don’t seem to work as well when they are used by many different individuals.

Slaughter explained she received the Probe in Feb 2011 and has worked with it on a set schedule ever since it arrived. She said that it took Coppock a while before he was successful in using the device and she is still working on getting it to work well with her. Her routine includes set days and times. It’s important to Slaughter that she does not become obsessed with ITC devices and maintains an even keel with the rest of the world. She knows of individuals who have become consumed with ITC and EVP work. There are paranormal investigations which have come about due to an individual’s obsession with EVP work and what can happen when there are disturbing results. Slaughter believes individuals working with ITC devices should have a specific type of personality and have the ability to turn it off and out it down. She works with the Probe 2-3 days a week for about an hour at a time. She will set in the same place during her sessions and knows something is coming through when fluctuations begin with the Probe. She said it gets louder and louder as it’s approached. She said that a very distinct voice will come through the Probe, which is different than most ITC devices.

Slaughter described the experiences with the Probe and what often happens when it’s in use and interesting. She said the whole environment in her home changes. Knocks are quite common as are hot and cold spots. Slaughter said she has to pay attention and can often hear voices coming from other parts of her home. Now after several months of working with the Probe in her home, Slaughter said she often hears a variety of things occurring even when the Probe is not in use. Slaughter said, “It works,” but is still working on the connections.

Slaughter said it has taken her a while to get results with the Probe, but is a long way off from having it work as well for her as it does for Coppock. She now gets several words at a time for responses and is still trying to establish connection with someone from the other side to help her with the Probe. Slaughter said Coppock told her that she would get help from Don Carson and believes she has only just established a connection with him; she said her grandfather has also told her that he would help her make connections. In fact, Slaughter thinks that some of the information she was given during the session at the Black Swan Inn is now beginning to make sense.

She said that individuals have contacted her and asked her to try and contact family members, but she does not feel comfortable enough with the Probe to do this, but may do so in the future. She said there a device out there that looks like the Probe but it is not the Probe and hopes no one purchases it with the idea it is the same as the one created by Coppock.

Slaughter is the author of “Ghosthunting Texas,” a travel guide to haunted places in Texas. She can be contacted through her website aprilslaughter.com for additional information about her research or her book. She is in the process of producing two new books. One will be on ITC devices and the other on capital punishment.

This is part one of this article. Part two will go into more detail on the Probe.