conradscrime:October 27, 2025Psychic mediums have long captivated audiences with claims of supernatural insight, offering comfort, closure, and sometimes even crime-solving assistance. But what happens when those predictions go wrong? From televised declarations about missing persons to high-profile criminal investigations, several well-known psychics have made bold statements that later proved to be false. These missteps not only raise questions about the reliability of psychic phenomena but also highlight the emotional and ethical consequences of getting it wrong.Sylvia Browne and Amanda Berry Sylvia Browne was one of the most recognizable psychic personalities in the early 2000s, frequently appearing on The Montel Williams Show. In 2004, she told Louwana Miller, the mother of missing teen Amanda Berry, that her daughter was dead. Browne stated, “She’s not alive, honey,” during a televised segment. This devastating pronouncement led Miller to lose hope and reportedly contributed to her declining health, passing away in 2006.But in 2013, Amanda Berry escaped from a Cleveland home where she had been held captive for nearly a decade alongside two other women. The shocking rescue made headlines worldwide and cast a harsh spotlight on Browne’s failed prediction. Critics, including skeptics and journalists, condemned her for making definitive claims without evidence, especially in emotionally sensitive cases. The incident remains one of the most cited examples of psychic error in modern media.2. James Van Praagh James Van Praagh rose to fame with books and TV appearances claiming he could communicate with the dead. His show Beyond with James Van Praagh featured live audience readings, but skeptics noted frequent inaccuracies and vague statements. For example, he would say things like “I’m getting a name that starts with an M” or “I see a father figure,” which could apply to many people.Critics, including James Randi and Michael Shermer, accused Van Praagh of using cold reading techniques, a method where general statements are used to elicit reactions and guide further guesses. In several cases, Van Praagh misidentified relationships or gave details that didn’t match the audience member’s experience. During an episode, he attempted to connect with the spirit of a deceased father for a woman in the audience. Van Praagh stated that the man had died of a heart attack. The woman corrected him, saying her father had died of cancer. Van Praagh quickly pivoted, saying, “He’s showing me the chest area,” to reconcile the mistake. While some viewers found comfort in his readings, others felt misled or emotionally manipulated.3. John EdwardJohn Edward’s show Crossing Over brought psychic readings into millions of homes. He claimed to connect with deceased loved ones, often using rapid-fire questions and vague impressions. However, skeptics pointed out that many of his “hits” were actually broad guesses or based on audience reactions.During an episode, John Edward attempted to connect an audience member with a deceased relative. He stated that the spirit was a father who had died of a heart-related issue. The audience member corrected him, explaining that it was actually her uncle who had died, and from cancer, not heart disease.Edward quickly adjusted his reading, saying something like, “He’s showing me the chest area,” and “He’s like a father figure,” which critics interpreted as a recovery tactic typical of cold reading. This moment has been cited by skeptics as an example of how psychic performers use vague language and audience feedback to maintain credibility when initial guesses are incorrect.4. Noreen Renier Noreen Renier worked with law enforcement as a “psychic detective,” claiming to help solve crimes by psychically locating bodies or identifying suspects. While she gained attention for her involvement in high-profile cases, several of her predictions were later proven wrong or irrelevant.In one case, Renier claimed a missing person was near water and a bridge, vague descriptors that could apply to countless locations. The body was eventually found far from her suggested area. Skeptical Inquirer published a detailed critique of her methods, arguing that her “hits” were often retrofitted after the fact and that her involvement sometimes delayed real investigative progress.5. Miss CleoMiss Cleo, born Youree Dell Harris, became a pop culture icon in the late ’90s with her Jamaican-accented psychic hotline commercials. She promised callers insights into love, money, and destiny. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated her network for deceptive billing practices and false advertising.The hotline charged callers exorbitant fees and often kept them on hold to rack up charges. The FTC found that many of the “free” readings were anything but, and that Miss Cleo herself was not from Jamaica, as claimed. The scandal led to the shutdown of the Psychic Readers Network and a settlement with the FTC. While Harris herself was not personally fined, the case remains a cautionary tale about commercial psychic exploitation.These cases serve as powerful reminders that psychic claims, especially those made in public or high-stakes situations, should be approached with caution. While many mediums offer comfort and connection, the consequences of inaccurate predictions can be deeply harmful, from misleading grieving families to obstructing criminal investigations. Whether driven by belief, performance, or profit, these missteps highlight the need for critical thinking, ethical boundaries, and accountability in the world of psychic practice. In the end, truth and empathy must take precedence over spectacle.