Demon In The Duplex

This is the Smurl family. Pictured are Jack and Janet Smurl and their 4 daughters - Dawn, Heather, and the twins Shannon and Carin. They lived in a duplex in Pennsylvania, with Jack's parents John and Mary living on the other side.

The Smurl family began experiencing unusual occurrences in 1974. They reported that a television set burst into flames, and a stain appeared on a carpet overnight. Water pipes began to leak even though they were repeatedly resoldered by a plumber, and scratches resembling those from a large cat appeared on paintwork and bathroom fittings.

By 1977, things got worse. Toilets flushed without human intervention, footsteps were heard on the stairs, chest drawers opened and closed unaided, radios worked when they were not plugged in, rocking chairs rocked while empty, and a sour smell filled the house.

In 1985, John and Mary claimed to hear loud, obscene language, and Jack and Janet's house often became extremely cold.

Two days after this, an icy cold swept the house and a strange black human shape allegedly materialized in the kitchen in front of Janet. It was about five feet nine inches tall, and with no facial features. It later appeared to Mary Smurl in her kitchen.

The violence and frequency of the events continued to escalate.

In 1986, the Smurls brought in famous demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren to help investigate. They announced the house was haunted by three minor spirits and a powerful, evil demon. They tried to persuade the demon to leave by playing holy music and praying. The alleged demon reacted by shaking mirrors, dressers and drawers.

Jack and Janet both report being sexually assaulted by shadowy, humanoid figures, and that pig noises were heard from the wall cavities. Generally, pig noises accompany demonic infestations.

The Smurls brought in Father Robert McKenna. He conducted two exorcisms in Latin and more than fifty Catholic Masses, which allegedly infuriated the demon further. The demon was said to follow them on a vacation to the Poconos and harass Jack at work.

So, if these attacks were so terrible, why didn't they leave the house? The Smurl's response would be that the demon could apparently follow them anywhere; having shown this to them when they abandoned the house for a week only to be intensely harassed at the campground where they were staying.

This is a picture of Jack pointing to where the earthbound spirit named Abigail was found.

This is a picture of the Smurls' living room, where a black, shadowy figure often appeared.

 Jack and Janet in front of the duplex.

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