Samantha Hawes Bellisle Wiki: Age, Ghost Hunters Career, Marriage to Dennis Bellisle, Kids, and Teaching Life

Samantha Hawes Bellisle is an American educator and former television personality who gained national attention through her role on the hit paranormal series Ghost Hunters. Airing from 2004 to 2016 and revived between 2019 and 2023, Ghost Hunters followed a team from The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) as they investigated alleged hauntings across the United States. The show became a defining force in the paranormal genre, popularizing evidence-based ghost hunting methods and drawing a large, devoted audience throughout its run.

As the eldest daughter of TAPS founder Jason Hawes, Samantha has been involved in paranormal research from a young age and began appearing on television investigations in 2014.

In parallel with her work in the field, Samantha built a professional career in public education. She holds advanced certifications in multiple areas of elementary teaching and currently works as a kindergarten and special education teacher in Rhode Island. Her background uniquely bridges hands-on paranormal investigation and academic leadership, offering a distinctive perspective at the intersection of public service and scientific curiosity.

Early Life and Family Background

Samantha Hawes Bellisle was born on December 7, 1990, in Rhode Island, as the eldest daughter of renowned paranormal investigator Jason Hawes and Kristen Cornell. Growing up in a household steeped in supernatural discourse, she was introduced early to the world of ghost hunting. Her father’s role as founder of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) made discussions about spirit activity and paranormal research a regular part of family life.

Samantha’s mother, Kristen, though preferring a ghost-free environment, encouraged her children to approach the paranormal with critical thinking. This blend of open-mindedness and skepticism shaped Samantha’s investigative approach from an early age.

By the age of 10, Samantha was already participating in ghost hunts. Her early exposure wasn’t limited to fieldwork; she spent countless hours watching evidence footage and analyzing EVPs. Regularly attending TAPS meetings at a Starbucks in Warwick, Rhode Island, Samantha quietly absorbed detailed conversations about case files and investigative methods.

Paranormal Television Career

Samantha began appearing on the iconic series Ghost Hunters in 2014, debuting in the latter part of Season 9. She became a recurring investigator throughout Seasons 10 and 11, which marked the height of her on-screen involvement. Her thoughtful observations and steady approach during investigations earned her a respected place among the team.

Across 26 episodes spanning Seasons 9, 10, 11, and 15, Samantha’s contributions were especially noted in Season 11 episodes like “All Aboard the Ghost Train,” “Paranormal Pirates,” “Children in the Attic,” and “Phantom for the First Course.”

In 2021, she made a guest appearance on Ghost Nation, credited both as an investigator and as Jason Hawes’ daughter. Her final on-screen appearance came in 2022 in the Season 15 finale of Ghost Hunters, titled “The Sayre Specters.”

Academic and Professional Teaching Journey

After graduating from Exeter–West Greenwich Regional High School in 2008, Samantha pursued a degree in History/Secondary Education at the University of Rhode Island, graduating in 2013. She also completed a middle school endorsement and women’s studies coursework during her undergraduate years. Continuing her education, she earned a Master’s in Elementary Education from Merrimack College in 2021 and completed her ESL Teacher Certification at Roger Williams University in 2024.

Samantha currently works as an elementary and kindergarten teacher at RISE Prep Academies and Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy. She is certified in Special Education (Grades 1–6), Orton–Gillingham, and Early Childhood Education (Pre-K–2), with a teaching philosophy grounded in empathy, academic rigor, and inclusivity.

Marriage, Wedding, and Blended Family

Samantha met her future husband, Dennis Bellisle Jr., through mutual friends. At the time of their first date on October 26, 2016—the same night the final episode of Ghost Hunters aired before its hiatus—Dennis was unaware of Samantha’s role in the series. As they dined together, Samantha’s phone continuously buzzed with live tweets and fan messages about the finale. Politely excusing herself several times, she explained she worked on a television production but avoided disclosing full details.

Later that evening, Dennis tagged Samantha in a social media post. One of his relatives, a dedicated fan of Ghost Hunters, quickly recognized her and informed him of her on-screen background. Despite the surprise revelation, Dennis was fully accepting of Samantha’s involvement in the paranormal field.

The couple married on May 26, 2019, in a picturesque lakeside ceremony. They exchanged vows on a floating dock adorned with blush-toned florals and a rustic wooden arch. Samantha’s daughters from a previous relationship served as flower girls, symbolizing the blending of two families. Jason Hawes walked his daughter down the dock aisle, commemorating the moment with a heartfelt social media post describing it as a “crazy weekend.”

Today, Samantha and Dennis raise a blended family of five children together. Though Dennis is not frequently in the public eye, he has accompanied Samantha on a few investigations and continues to support her passions and professional goals. Their family life, rooted in both education and the supernatural, reflects a unique blend of structure, support, and open-minded curiosity.

Current Life and Legacy

Now residing in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, Samantha Bellisle continues to balance her life as a devoted educator, mother, and former paranormal investigator. Though she has shifted her focus to education, her early contributions to paranormal media and fieldwork remain influential and cherished within the paranormal community.

Her journey—from appearing on national television alongside her father to creating nurturing classroom spaces for young learners—exemplifies a life rooted in service, curiosity, and the values passed down through both family and experience.

Samantha Hawes Bellisle – Wiki Bio (Quick Facts)

Full Name	Samantha Hawes Bellisle
Date of Birth	December 7, 1990
Age	34 years old
Place of Birth	Rhode Island, USA
Parents	Jason Hawes (father), Kristen Cornell (mother)
Siblings	Haily Hawes, Satori Hawes, and three brothers
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Dennis Bellisle Jr.
Children	Five (blended family)
Occupation	Educator, Former TV Personality
Notable TV Appearances	Ghost Hunters (Seasons 9–11, 15), Ghost Nation
Years Active (TV)	2014–2022
Current Residence	West Greenwich, Rhode Island
Education	B.A. in History/Secondary Education (URI); M.Ed. (Merrimack College); ESL Certification (RWU)
Teaching Certifications	Elementary, Special Education, ESL, Orton-Gillingham