Brett Meisner - Jim Morrison's motel room.
Los Angeles, CA 7/3/2006
JIM MORRISON PARIS GHOST PHOTO: The only 100% authentic ghost image in existence
In 1997, rock critic Brett Meisner posed for a photograph at the grave of legendary Doors frontman Jim Morrison in Paris's Père Lachaise Cemetery. At first glance, the picture appeared to be an ordinary tourist snapshot. But years later, Meisner noticed something extraordinary: a ghostly white figure standing in the background, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Morrison himself. The mysterious apparition, seemingly dressed in the singer's trademark pose and attire, sparked widespread fascination and debate after the photograph became public. While skeptics suggested photographic anomalies or an elaborate hoax, others believed the image offered rare photographic evidence of Morrison's spirit lingering near his final resting place. Decades later, the photograph remains one of rock and roll's most enduring paranormal mysteries.
The infamous photo that haunted the world. (above)
And the enhanced red circle ghost locator image (right).
The photo was taken by Tom Petty (or Elizabeth Stanley)
The Most Discussed Photo on the Internet
Since gaining international attention in 2009, the mysterious Jim Morrison ghost photograph has generated countless discussions across news outlets, paranormal websites, and social media platforms. Rolling Stone magazine helped bring the story to a wider audience with its article, "Unexplainable Photo Snapped at Jim Morrison's Grave," while online communities have continued debating whether the eerie figure behind rock critic Brett Meisner is a genuine apparition, a photographic illusion, or an elaborate hoax.
A January 2023 Reddit discussion in r/OldSchoolCool attracted more than 1,300 upvotes, with commenters offering explanations ranging from double exposure and unusual camera angles to deliberate photographic staging. Others were struck by the figure's resemblance to Morrison, particularly its outstretched arms and ghostly appearance. The photograph has also circulated on Facebook, including a post by Weird Hollywood, often accompanied by the persistent but incorrect claim that rock star Tom Petty took the picture.
The controversy has extended well beyond social media. Some photographic investigators initially reported finding no evidence of conventional image manipulation, while skeptics subsequently proposed that the figure could have been created using a theatrical optical illusion known as Pepper's Ghost. Yet even those who dismiss the supernatural explanation acknowledge the photograph's remarkable staying power. Whether an unexplained anomaly, an ingenious trick, or something stranger, the image has become an enduring part of Jim Morrison folklore—proof that, more than half a century after his death, the Lizard King still knows how to capture an audience.
BRETT MEISNER: 24 HOURS IN HELL TV SHOW
Brett Meisner appears in a still from his FOX television show 24 HOURS IN HELL where he confronted the ghost of Jim Morrison in motel on the anniversary of Morrison's death.
Jim Morrison lived in Room 32 at the Alta Cienega Motel (located at 1005 N. La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA) was a frequent intermittent residence and sanctuary for Jim
Brett Meisner was a rock critic, musician, and screenwriter who went missing after finding a laptop with mysterious files during the 2008 Writer's Guild Strike.
The FOX TV Special that Almost Killed Brett Meisner
In 2006, the mystery surrounding Brett Meisner's infamous Jim Morrison ghost photograph took an unusual turn when Meisner participated in a proposed FOX television special titled Jim Morrison vs. Brett Meisner: 24 Hours in Hell.
Filmed around the 35th anniversary of Morrison's death, the production followed Meisner into Room 32 of Hollywood's legendary Alta Cienega Motel, where Morrison once stayed. Convinced that the mysterious photograph had brought misfortune into his life, Meisner hoped to confront the singer's restless spirit and put an end to the alleged curse.
The resulting footage, originally released online in three installments, featured Meisner's increasingly dramatic encounter with the supposedly haunted room. Although the project's television broadcast history remains unclear, surviving clips on YouTube offer a fascinating glimpse into one of the stranger chapters of the Jim Morrison ghost photograph saga.
Brett Meisner Discusses the Photograph on Dead Famous
The mysterious photograph also attracted the attention of the paranormal television series Dead Famous, which investigated reports of Jim Morrison's lingering presence in Los Angeles. During an on-camera interview, rock critic Brett Meisner recalled visiting Morrison's grave in Paris and casually asking someone to take his picture. Years passed before his assistant noticed a strange figure standing behind him, apparently wearing what Meisner described as leather pants. Although initially astonished by the discovery, Meisner became increasingly intrigued by the possibility that the photograph had captured Morrison's spirit. "I'm not scared by anything," he told the program. "This photo made me think twice." The episode subsequently explored Morrison's fascination with the supernatural, visiting his former Los Angeles residence and other allegedly haunted locations in search of evidence that the legendary Doors singer might still be making his presence felt.
Where is the Photo Now?
In 2023, the photo negative was sold for a "high six-figure" sum to a wealthy memorabilia collector in Los Angeles, California. The Meisner estate used the proceeds from the sale to fund Meisner's legal fees resulting from his involvement in the Panama Papers -- a leak of private files which detailed over 214,488 offshore shell companies and entities tied to individuals in more than 200 countries. Meisner was never charged with any crimes.
IN THE PRESS...
Rolling Stone — “Unexplainable” Photo Snapped at Jim Morrison's Grave
VICE — Did Tom Petty Really Capture a Photo of Jim Morrison's Ghost?
Trailers From Hell — Morrison's Grave: An Unsolved Mystery
Dangerous Minds — “Strange Days”: The Cursed Photo of Jim Morrison's Ghost
