Warning: This post contains references to sexual abuse.
In 1974, a woman approached Barry Taff in a bookstore and told him that a number of strange occurrences have been happening in her Culver City, CA home. The woman, Doris Bither, claimed to have witnessed luminous, human-like shapes, objects moving on their own, and that she had been raped on multiple occasions by one or more ghosts. Taff worked at the now defunct parapsychology lab at UCLA, which specialized in paranormal activities of all kinds.
Taff initially found Bither to be evasive, refusing even to admit her own age. Her circumstances were quite dire, living with four kids in a condemned house, and having a history of physical and substance abuse trauma. Taff noted that Bither was “deeply unhappy”. Still, he decided to perform a full investigation, which is where the story takes its first turn.
Over a 10 week investigatory period, at least 25 different researchers from UCLA came to the Bither household. On only Taff’s second visit, he claims to have witnessed a frying pan fly across the room on its own accord. He later recalled that “it shook [him], then and now”. As the investigation continued, Taff noted a variety of poltergeist activity: objects moving by themselves, strange odors, curious lights, and cold zones. One night, Taff brought a 35mm camera and began taunting the entity, hoping to draw out a reaction. He was able to photograph what appeared to be orbs whisking around Bither’s head.
By the end of the investigation, only Bither, Taff, and his research associate Kerry Gaynor noted unusual activity. The only piece of evidence was the photograph you see above. Future researchers have cast doubt on the Taff investigation, noting that a distressed woman, poor investigation techniques, and confirmation bias were the likely cause of the apparent haunting. Taff maintains that, though he has investigated hundreds of cases over the years, Bither’s sticks out as uniquely mysterious.
The Doris Bither case has inspired What Happened to Doris?, a Ton of Hats production premiering at the 2026 Fantastic Fest in Austin. We have just learned that Mike Hatton was cast as Jerry, Doris’ sleazy boyfriend who, according to Hatton, “embodies the gritty, morally ambiguous ’70s vibe.” Hatton is known best for playing George in Green Book, a 2018 period drama.
Hatton will star opposite Heather Graham (Twin Peaks, The Hangover) and Mimi Rogers (The X-Files, Mad Men).
