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Aaron Goodwin

Aaron Goodwin (born April 1, 1976, in Portland, Oregon) is an American television personality, camera operator, equipment technician, and paranormal investigator, best known for his role as a co-star and co-investigator on the Travel Channel's long-running series Ghost Adventures. Goodwin began his career in the entertainment industry as a camera operator, working for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and on behind-the-scenes productions in Las Vegas before transitioning to paranormal programming. In 2004, he was hired by Zak Bagans and Nick Groff as a cameraman for their documentary film exploring haunted locations, which evolved into the formation of the core team for Ghost Adventures, debuting as a series in 2008. On the show, Goodwin serves as the primary equipment technician, handling cameras and recording devices during investigations, and often acts as "bait" to provoke paranormal activity, including a notable incident in 2008 where he claimed to be physically affected during an investigation at Bobby Mackey's Music World in Kentucky. Beyond Ghost Adventures, Goodwin has contributed to the paranormal genre through spin-off series such as Ghost Adventures: After Shocks and Ghost Adventures: Quarantine, and he has appeared in other media, including acting and producing roles in independent films like Space Detective (2017), Malevolence (2004), and Crimps (2011). His work has helped popularize amateur ghost hunting, blending technical expertise with on-screen investigations that have spanned over 20 seasons as of 2025. In October 2025, Goodwin received widespread media coverage when his estranged wife, Victoria Goodwin, was arrested for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill him, an incident that occurred and was documented during the filming of a Ghost Adventures episode.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Aaron Goodwin was born on April 1, 1976, in . He lived in , before moving to , where he grew up in the Hawthorne neighborhood, a vibrant and eclectic area a few blocks from downtown. Goodwin's family had some involvement in ghost hunting, as he detailed in a 2013 podcast episode alongside his sister, recounting how their shared family history inadvertently drew them into investigations by mistake. This background contributed to his later interest in the , with Goodwin recalling visits to Portland's trendy Hawthorne district after high school to browse shops selling dark and scary items. His formative experiences in diverse urban environment, including exposure to local lore and abandoned sites, laid the groundwork for later pursuits, though his more structured interests emerged during high school at Franklin High School.

Education and early interests

Aaron Goodwin grew up in , after spending his early childhood in Eugene and Sisters. He attended Franklin High School in , graduating in 1995. During his teenage years, Goodwin developed a keen interest in , experimenting with cameras and basic production techniques through self-taught projects. This hands-on approach sparked his passion for media creation and laid the groundwork for his future professional pursuits. Lacking formal training, he sought out advanced knowledge by sneaking into filmmaking classes and seminars at local universities as a teenager, where he observed professional methods to refine his own skills. These clandestine efforts represented his primary "education" in the field, fostering a resourceful and determined mindset toward production. Goodwin showed no early fascination with the during his youth; instead, his initial interest emerged later through his endeavors. A pivotal personal encounter with what he perceived as a ghostly presence occurred while filming the 2004 Ghost Adventures documentary in , transforming his skepticism into a lifelong pursuit that shaped his career.

Career

Early professional work

After graduating from Franklin High School in Portland, Oregon, in 1995, Aaron Goodwin relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, around age 21 to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry. There, he began building his skills in , drawing on an early interest in developed during high school. Goodwin's initial professional roles in encompassed a range of entry-level positions in the sector, including work as a for the (UFC) events and contributions to various behind-the-scenes film projects. He also served as a on independent productions, such as the 2005 Transamerican Killer. His early credits in the camera and electrical department further highlighted his growing technical expertise, including work on the 2004 horror film Malevolence, where he assisted with camera operations. By 2011, Goodwin had earned additional recognition in the department for the independent film Crimps, continuing his focus on hands-on production roles before transitioning to more prominent television work.

Involvement with Ghost Adventures

Aaron Goodwin was recruited by Zak Bagans and Nick Groff in 2004 to serve as the primary camera operator for their independent documentary film Ghost Adventures, which explored haunted locations in Nevada, including the Old Washoe Club in Virginia City and the Goldfield Hotel. Goodwin, who had met Groff during college film projects and Bagans through him, initially joined without prior interest in the paranormal, assisting with filming and B-roll footage during the production. The 90-minute documentary, self-produced and released in 2006 after initial screenings, captured the team's early investigations and laid the foundation for their later work. The success of the documentary led to the development of the television series, which premiered on the on October 17, 2008. Goodwin's role evolved from camera operator to co-investigator and equipment technician, where he handles specialized paranormal detection devices such as EMF meters, spirit boxes, and digital recorders during the show's signature overnight "lockdowns" at reputedly haunted sites. Over the course of more than 28 seasons as of 2025, Goodwin has contributed to hundreds of episodes by operating technical gear to document potential evidence of ghostly activity, often serving as the team's grounded perspective amid intense investigations. His authentic reactions and lighthearted demeanor have provided , balancing the series' tense atmosphere. Goodwin has had notable personal experiences featured prominently in the series, such as the season 23 episode "Goodwin Home Invasion," aired in March 2020, where the team investigated threatening at his father Don's home following reports of apparitions and physical disturbances affecting the family. During the lockdown, Goodwin confronted entities that seemed targeted at him, capturing evidential audio and visual anomalies that heightened the episode's emotional stakes. In 2018, unfounded rumors suggested Goodwin might depart the show amid cast changes, but he quickly reaffirmed his dedication, continuing as a core member through subsequent seasons, including the 2025 premiere investigating UFO-related hauntings at Casper Mountain, .

Other media and creative pursuits

Beyond his primary role in paranormal investigations, Aaron Goodwin has ventured into , serving as an on the 2017 science fiction feature Space Detective, directed by Antonio Llapur. In this project, Goodwin contributed to the production alongside Matt Sjafiroeddin, with the film earning recognition for its soundtrack at the 2017 Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival. Goodwin maintains a personal YouTube channel, launched under the handle @Agoodwincollections, where he shares behind-the-scenes footage from his projects, artistic processes, and glimpses into his daily life. The channel features content such as vlogs from locations like and episodes of his interview series Awesome Breaking Interviews, including a 2024 discussion with Hall of Fame pitcher . In his artistic pursuits, Goodwin creates and sells original paintings inspired by and nightmare themes, often incorporating glow-in-the-dark elements reflective of his investigative experiences. These works, such as Haunted Mansion Glow Painting and Jack Skeleton Glow In Dark Tissue Box Art, are available as one-of-a-kind pieces or prints through his official website, Aaron Goodwin Collections. Goodwin engages with audiences through public appearances at fan conventions and expos, where he participates in panels and autograph sessions focused on his creative endeavors. These events, including paid engagements up to 2025, allow him to connect personally with supporters beyond television, sharing insights into his art and production work.

Personal life

Relationships and marriage

Aaron Goodwin had a previous long-term relationship that resulted in the birth of his son, , though the exact birth year has not been publicly detailed. Goodwin has primarily raised as a single father. Goodwin met Goodwin in , where he resides, and their relationship began at least by October 2019, when he proposed to her at . The couple postponed their wedding due to the but eventually married on August 13, 2022, at 's . As part of their blended family, Camden integrated well with Victoria prior to 2025, forming a close bond that contributed to the family's dynamic in Las Vegas.

Legal issues and recent events

In early 2025, Victoria Goodwin, the wife of Ghost Adventures star Aaron Goodwin, was arrested on March 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on charges of solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to commit murder for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill her husband. The plot came to light through an investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which uncovered text messages between Victoria and Grant Amato, a convicted murderer serving time in Florida, where she reportedly offered $11,515 for the hit, including an initial payment of $2,500, and provided details on Aaron's location and routines. The moment Aaron learned of the arrest was captured on camera during a Ghost Adventures filming session at an abandoned medical complex in Downey, California, when he received a FaceTime call from police informing him of the situation while exploring the site. Just days after the arrest, on March 12, 2025, filed for divorce from in Clark County District Court, , citing and stating that reconciliation was not possible due to their incompatible views and circumstances. The filing marked the end of their marriage, which had begun in 2022. Victoria reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty on April 15, 2025, to one felony count of to commit murder, facing a potential sentence of two to ten years in . On June 5, 2025, she was sentenced to 36 to 90 months (three to seven and a half years) in the Department of Corrections by Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Krall; during the hearing, Aaron delivered a expressing ongoing fear and betrayal, while Victoria read an apology for her actions. The events profoundly affected Aaron's personal life, prompting him to prioritize time with his son Camden from a prior relationship and focus on healing amid public scrutiny. In October 2025, as a new Ghost Adventures episode aired featuring the shocking on-set revelation, Aaron shared updates on his emotional recovery via social media, expressing gratitude for fan support and emphasizing his commitment to moving forward professionally with the show. Despite the trauma, Aaron has continued his work on Ghost Adventures, maintaining the series' production schedule without interruption.

References

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