The Smurl Family Haunting

The Real Smurl Haunting: A True Story of Demonic Infestation

The 'Smurl Haunting' is one of the most disturbing and controversial cases in American paranormal history. Between 1973 and 1989, the Smurl family of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, claimed their home was plagued by violent supernatural activity. Their story attracted national attention, involved famous investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and remains one of the most hotly debated hauntings of the 20th century.

Who Were the Smurls?

Jack and Janet Smurl were an ordinary working-class couple raising four daughters. In 1973, they moved into a duplex on Chase Street, with Jack’s parents living in the other half. The house had been damaged by a flood but seemed like a good place to settle down. Not long after moving in, however, the family began experiencing strange events that would escalate over the next decade.

What Happened in the Smurl Haunting?

The Smurl family reported a wide range of paranormal activity, including:

• Strange noises: footsteps, bangs, and dragging sounds with no explanation.
• Foul odours: smells of rotting flesh and sulfur filling the home.
• Electrical problems: appliances malfunctioning, TVs bursting into flames.
• Physical disturbances: claw marks appearing on walls, objects moving on their own.
• Psychological effects: family members feeling drained, anxious, or unusually aggressive.

Alleged Attacks on the Family

The most terrifying claims involved **direct physical assaults**. Jack Smurl said he was scratched, beaten, and even sexually assaulted by an invisible entity. Janet reported being grabbed and pinned down by unseen forces. The children also described being pushed and terrorised in their rooms. The family insisted that the haunting was not just a ghost, but something much darker.

The Warrens Investigate

By 1986, the Smurls turned to renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren for help. Lorraine, a clairvoyant, claimed she immediately sensed a powerful demonic presence in the house.

According to the Warrens, the haunting was a case of demonic infestation, where an evil entity attached itself to the family and fed off their fear. They described the spirit as highly intelligent, manipulative, and resistant to attempts to remove it. The Warrens organized blessings and exorcisms, but the activity allegedly became more aggressive afterward.

Media Coverage and Public Reaction

As word spread, the Smurl Haunting became a media sensation. Newspapers, talk shows, and paranormal researchers flocked to cover the case. The Smurls co-authored a book with the Warrens titled *The Haunted* (1986), which detailed their ordeal. In 1991, a made-for-TV movie, also called *The Haunted*, dramatized the events, bringing the story to millions of viewers.

Skeptical Explanations

Not everyone believed the Smurls’ story. Skeptics suggested that:

• Stress and family pressures** could have caused psychological strain, leading to exaggerated or imagined experiences.
• Sleep paralysis** might explain some of the attacks described.
• Publicity motives** may have influenced the family’s willingness to work with authors and the Warrens.

Interestingly, when the Smurls eventually moved out, the new tenants reported **no unusual activity**, fueling further debate.

Was the Smurl Haunting Real?

The truth about the Smurl Haunting remains unresolved. To believers, it is a chilling reminder of the destructive power of demonic forces. To skeptics, it is a cautionary tale about the dangers of suggestion, media influence, and fear.

Regardless of which side you take, the case has become a permanent part of paranormal history and continues to intrigue ghost hunters and researchers worldwide.

FAQ About the Smurl Haunting

Q. Where did the Smurl Haunting take place?
A. The haunting occurred in a duplex on Chase Street in West Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Q
Q. Who investigated the Smurl Haunting?
A. The case was investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren, well-known for their work on the Amityville Horror and other hauntings. Their grandson Chris McKinnell was also involved with this case.

Q. Was there a movie about the Smurl Haunting?
A. Yes. In 1991, a TV movie called The Haunted was released, based on the Smurls’ story, the final Conjuring movie the Last Rites was released September 2025.

Q. Do people still believe in the Smurl Haunting?
A. Opinions remain divided. Some paranormal enthusiasts cite it as proof of demonic activity, while skeptics believe it was exaggerated or psychological.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Smurl Haunting

The real Smurl Haunting stands out as one of the most controversial paranormal cases in the United States. Whether it was a genuine case of demonic infestation*or a product of stress and imagination, the story continues to be retold in books, documentaries, and discussions about the unexplained.

It remains a chilling reminder of how the line between reality and the supernatural can sometimes blur and how a family’s home can become a battleground for forces beyond comprehension.

To by the book The Haunted by Ed and Lorraine Warren click HERE, to watch the 1991 The Haunted movie click HERE.

SEO Keywords: Smurl Haunting, real demonic hauntings, Ed and Lorraine Warren cases, Pennsylvania ghost stories, The Haunted 1991, Smurl family haunting, paranormal investigations, Chase Street haunting, Chris McKinnell.