Christopher Tillman is an explorer, writer, and documentarian with a passion for all things strange and unusual. He has been investigating claims of paranormal activity since 1993, cataloging over 1500 legends in the State of Ohio. His first documentary, dealing with the haunted history of Ohio’s first serial killer, premiered on Toledo’s PBS affiliate in 2020. When he’s not traveling the country in search of the paranormal, he resides in Toledo, Ohio.

Ohio’s First Serial Killer

Haunted Toledo’s two-year investigation covering Ohio’s first serial killer, Return Ward, and the haunting phenomena that surround’s the location of his last killing.

In February of 1857, Ward brutally murdered his wife, Olive. In order to cover up his crime, he dismembered her body and burned it in his stove. He was finally apprehended, charged, and executed for her death.

Now, over 150 years later, there are those who believe his murderous spirit, and that of his poor wife, still wander downtown Sylvania, Ohio.

The Collingwood Art Theater.

The labyrinth-like basement of the Collingwood Arts Center runs beneath the entire building complex, but only part of it is known as the Gerber basement.

The Gerber basement sits beneath the Gerber House, the oldest part of the Arts Center. It is in this basement that many have encountered the most notorious phantom that is said to haunt Collingwood.

This spirit is generally witnessed as being a dark, shadowy figure that floats along the ground, and often chases after those who are unfortunate enough to cross its path.

Many ascribe a negative or malevolent aspect to this entity, but the truth behind who, or what, this spirit is has yet to be determined.

Club Bijou

Haunted Toledo’s Christopher Tillman was invited to the club in May of 1999 to document the claims of employees who believed something otherworldly was lurking throughout the building. Many stories were told, hundreds of photos taken, and a 28-minute video tour of the building was conducted.

Fast-forward 18 years… A former employee of the club was contacted and asked to help us tell the story of Club Bijou’s haunted history.

The building no longer exists. All that remains are some photos, video, many memories, and the extraordinary stories of its former employees!

Gibbs Bridge

On the outskirts of Sylvania, Ohio, on the western edge of Lucas County, sits one of the most popular haunted bridges in the state.

Almost every ghosthunter in northern Ohio has visited this bridge at least once, many of them leaving with what they believe is evidence of unexplained paranormal phenomena.

This bridge holds a variety of paranormal claims and tales of tragedy, and this is what makes Gibbs Bridge such a popular destination for paranormal investigators.

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