Billy Tolley Opens Up About ‘Ghost Adventures’ Brotherhood & Season 31

At long last it’s the season for pumpkin spice, Halloween haunts, and more Ghost Adventures. The popular Discovery Channel series returns for a milestone Season 31 (!) on September 30 with a chilling investigation inside of a Las Vegas warehouse used today as a horror-themed escape room. The building has a past violent history of ties to the mob. For Billy Tolley, who helps make up the fearless foursome alongside Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, and Jay Wasley, there is no easy day at the office. 

Each installment sees them venture across the country to explore sites rooted in dark histories with sinister characters who are still making their presence felt. And every member of the team proves essential to tackling these uneasy cases. Tolley started with the series during the early seasons working as a background player in the role of primary audio/video technician and EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) analyst before graduating fully into the field. Logging countless hours of travel and experiences, the 53-year-old still remains passionate about his unique profession. 

Here, Tolley reflects on Ghost Adventures’ longevity and tells us why you might want to the leave lights on while watching what’s to come. 

Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, and Billy Tolley (Discovery Channel)

What does the idea of a Season 31 mean to you? 

Billy Tolley: With every new season that we complete I look back and think, “Wow, we’ve seen so much!” And every location we investigate brings new experiences we weren’t expecting. 

Beyond the milestone itself, what stood about this season in your eyes? 

Working together with your “brothers” for so many years, you develop this flow that brings about a better investigation because you know each other so well. This season I really felt that flow.

Did you use any new techniques or tools in your tool box?

Yes. We’re always using new techniques and equipment. I don’t want to spoil anything, but we introduced some gear this season that brought about incredible evidence. You’ll have to watch for yourself.

What can viewers expect from the premiere as you look into a Las Vegas warehouse? Does the fact it’s now a horror-themed escape room make it even more unsettling?

Listen, the stories alone from the history of this place will make your skin crawl. Yes, the themed rooms are very well done and creepy, but the vibe felt in this space has nothing to do with the decor. We all experienced it. You’ll see.

You’re also traveling to Oregon, Utah, and California where you’ll look into properties with dark histories.. What were some of the challenges you faced in the episodes to come? 

We go deep with history. I think that’s what I love the most about our show. It matters. You go over the history, you talk about the history when you’re actually investigating, and then things happen. Can these spirits hear us talking about them? I say yes. It happens countless times. I think it’s a good technique. You tell their story out loud, they hear you, and then react. It’s a proven formula we’ve used over the years.

Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Jay Wasley, and Billy Tolley investigate a Las Vegas warehouse. (Discovery Channel)

Anything else you can tease? Any guest investigators with this run of episodes? 

I won’t give up any secrets!

How do you look back on the show’s success?

I see it as an incredibly evolving phenomenon. Each year we dive deeper and deeper, testing newer and better equipment than the last. And most of all, our technique in spirit communication grows stronger and stronger. I think that’s the part that impresses me the most. The fact that we have collected so much evidence in this department. It’s mind blowing to me. We should catalog every piece and study it. There’s just no denying that spirits exist and can send messages, energy and signs that are undeniable. I went from skeptical believer to full believer. Too many personal experiences for me to deny it.

Was there a past investigation that solidified why the series was special in your eyes? 

Too many to name. There are countless episodes where we use groundbreaking new tech and it pays off. You’ll see soon in one of the episodes coming up using our LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) camera. 

Talk about the bond you share together as you go through all these experiences. 

Again, we’re brothers. We laugh together, we argue, we experience unexplainable emotions during these investigations. But in the end, we’re there for each other and we learn something new about each other and ourselves from each investigation. That’s the evolution I was talking about.

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How would you say the advent of AI and more sophisticated technology impacted your line of work? Has it made it harder in terms of answering to skeptics?

I always say this to people who ask me personally, “Do you really believe in ghosts, demons and spirits?” My answer remains the same. Yes. I have had countless experiences personally that solidify that answer. But I don’t expect you to believe it until you yourself have had your own experiences. It’s not something I can convince you of, and I respect your skepticism. I was once that skeptic. Now I know.

Do you have a favorite celebrity guest investigator? Anyone who has asked to join you on one? 

We’ve had so many over the years. They’ve all been great. We’ve made believers out of a few of them because of the personal experiences they had. Love that.

What are your hopes for the future of the show?

I love exciting new adventures, new locations and new stories of history that we’ve never heard before. That’s always the draw for me. 

Ghost Adventures Season 31 premiere, 10/9c, September 30, Discovery Channel (Streaming on HBO Max & Discovery+)