10 Times Real Haunted Houses Drove Occupants to Despair

Introduction: When Home Becomes Horror

Most people consider home a sanctuary — a place of comfort, peace, and rest. But what happens when the very walls that should protect you begin to torment you instead? Across the world, real people have walked into new homes full of hope, only to find themselves living a waking nightmare. These aren’t ghost stories made up for a quick thrill; they are chilling accounts backed by documentation, interviews, and decades of terrifying experiences. These ten haunted homes didn’t just send chills down spines. They left families broken, lives changed, and belief systems shattered.

Below are 10 true cases where haunted houses drove their occupants to the edge of despair.

---

1. The Perron Family Farmhouse — Harrisville, Rhode Island, USA

Long before the movie The Conjuring scared audiences worldwide, the Perron family lived through the horror in real life. In 1971, Roger and Carolyn Perron moved into a colonial farmhouse with their five daughters. Almost immediately, odd things began happening: brooms moved on their own, objects vanished, and strange smells filled the rooms.

But these were only the beginning. Apparitions of a woman with a bent neck and ghostly children appeared. The worst was a spirit they called Bathsheba, believed to be a witch who once lived in the house and murdered her own child as a sacrifice. Carolyn Perron was allegedly physically assaulted multiple times by this spirit.

The family lived in fear for nearly a decade. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren eventually intervened, performing a seance that went horribly wrong and only increased the haunting. Ultimately, the Perrons chose to stay in the house due to financial constraints, enduring years of mental and emotional turmoil.

---

2. 112 Ocean Avenue — Amityville, New York, USA

This infamous address became synonymous with horror. In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six members of his family inside the house. Thirteen months later, the Lutz family moved in, unaware of the full history.

Almost immediately, the hauntings began: green slime oozed from walls, cold spots appeared, strange odors wafted through the air, and unexplainable voices were heard. George Lutz reportedly woke up at 3:15 AM every night — the same time as the murders.

Their dog tried to jump over the fence and hang itself on its leash. Their daughter began talking to a demonic pig-like entity named "Jodie." After just 28 days, the Lutz family fled the house, leaving all belongings behind. Their story later inspired books and multiple films, but to them, it was far from fiction.

---

3. The Smurl Haunting — West Pittston, Pennsylvania, USA

From 1974 to 1989, Jack and Janet Smurl claimed they were terrorized by a demon in their duplex home. The haunting began with minor issues like foul smells and sounds of footsteps, but things escalated fast.

Furniture levitated. Dogs were thrown against walls. Family members were physically assaulted, and even sexual attacks were reported by both Jack and Janet. Loud banging would occur at all hours, and disembodied voices echoed through the house.

Like in the Perron case, Ed and Lorraine Warren investigated and confirmed a demonic presence. Multiple exorcisms were performed, but the Smurls claimed the activity continued for years. Eventually, they moved, but the trauma stayed with them long after.

---

4. The Enfield Poltergeist — Enfield, London, England

In 1977, single mother Peggy Hodgson and her four children experienced strange occurrences in their modest council house. Furniture moved by itself, knocking sounds echoed through the walls, and toys flew across rooms. The focus of the haunting seemed to be Janet, an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly possessed.

Police officers witnessed furniture moving without cause. Investigators recorded eerie voices emanating from Janet that she claimed were not her own. Although skeptics questioned the validity of some of the events, many eyewitnesses — including journalists and police — maintained that something unexplainable was happening.

Janet later admitted to faking a few incidents, but insisted that 90% of what occurred was genuine. The case remains one of the most thoroughly documented poltergeist hauntings in history.

---

5. The Bell Witch House — Adams, Tennessee, USA

Dating back to the early 1800s, the Bell family haunting is one of America’s oldest and most disturbing tales. John Bell and his family were tormented by a malevolent spirit known as the Bell Witch. The entity spoke, appeared in ghostly form, and even physically attacked members of the family.

John Bell became the main target. His health deteriorated under the stress, and he eventually died, allegedly poisoned by the entity. His daughter, Betsy, was slapped, pinched, and scratched by invisible hands.

The legend has persisted for over 200 years. Today, the Bell Witch Cave near the original homestead is a popular destination for paranormal enthusiasts, many of whom report similar disturbances.

---

6. The Black Monk of Pontefract — Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England

At 30 East Drive, the Pritchard family lived through one of the most violent poltergeist hauntings in Britain. Known as the Black Monk, the entity first appeared in the late 1960s and tormented the family with physical assaults, loud noises, and even attempted strangulation.

The daughter, Diane, was a frequent target. She was dragged up stairs by her hair, slapped, and nearly suffocated. The family tried to seek help from priests and investigators, but nothing stopped the hauntings.

To this day, paranormal researchers still visit the home, often leaving with terrifying stories of their own.

---

7. The Sally House — Atchison, Kansas, USA

When Tony and Debra Pickman moved into this modest home in 1993, they had no idea what awaited them. They reported lights turning off and on, cold spots, and objects moving. But Tony became the main target of the hauntings.

He received scratches on his chest and abdomen, often in threes, and had disturbing dreams of a little girl named Sally. The ghost appeared to be a young child, but some believe it was a demonic entity disguising itself.

Psychics who visited claimed a dark presence lurked in the basement. After intense emotional distress, the Pickmans fled the house, and it now serves as a location for paranormal investigations.

---

8. Myrtle's Plantation — St. Francisville, Louisiana, USA

This historic antebellum mansion is considered one of the most haunted homes in the United States. Built in 1796, it was the site of numerous tragedies, including murders, suicides, and slave mistreatment.

The most infamous spirit is that of Chloe, a slave girl who was allegedly punished by having her ear cut off. Seeking revenge, she poisoned the owner's children, then was hanged. Her ghost, with a green turban, is frequently seen wandering the grounds.

Guests report seeing ghostly children, shadow figures, and experiencing intense feelings of dread. Some even claim to have been touched or heard whispers in their ears late at night.

---

9. The Villisca Axe Murder House — Villisca, Iowa, USA

In 1912, eight people were brutally murdered in this quiet Midwestern home. The killer was never caught, and the tragedy left a lasting mark. Over the decades, various owners reported paranormal activity.

Visitors hear children laughing, footsteps in empty halls, and doors slamming shut. Investigators often experience sudden battery drains, camera malfunctions, and even physical scratches.

The home is now open for overnight stays, but few make it through the night without fleeing in terror.

---

10. The Hinsdale House — Hinsdale, New York, USA

In the 1970s, the Dandy family moved into this unassuming farmhouse and were met with chaos. Strange chanting, ghostly apparitions, and unexplainable sounds plagued their daily lives. At one point, a priest performed an exorcism, but the spirits returned with greater fury.

The family experienced near-fatal car accidents, levitating objects, and a constant sense of being watched. Eventually, they fled the property, unable to withstand the psychological toll any longer.

Today, the home is a hotspot for ghost hunters and continues to generate frightening reports.

---

Conclusion: When Shelter Becomes a Curse

These ten haunted homes are not just stories — they are experiences that scarred those involved for life. Whether explained by trauma, history, or something far more sinister, these cases show that sometimes, the real horror is found in the place we least expect: our own home.

If these walls could talk, they'd scream.

Do you believe in haunted houses? Or do you think there's a logical explanation behind these disturbing experiences? Let us know in the comments.

Stay curious, stay cautious—and maybe double-check your closets tonight.