The True Haunting Behind The Conjuring

by Atisse Robbins, age 13

Many may not realize that the well-known horror film The Conjuring is inspired by a true story. Set in 1971, The Conjuring follows the Perron family, parents Carolyn and Roger, and their daughters Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April, who moved into a large 12-bedroom house in Rhode Island. Shortly after moving in, the family began noticing strange occurrences. Items would go missing, sounds echoed through the house, and dirt mysteriously appeared on the kitchen floor. They even reported a foul smell like rotting flesh, and the father, Roger, claimed that a cold presence followed him whenever he entered the basement, even though the heater was working.

Some believe these activities were linked to a former resident, Bathsheba Sherman, rumored to have practiced witchcraft. Local legends claimed she might have cursed the house, although no solid evidence exists to suggest she was a Satanist or involved in a child’s death. Nevertheless, the family feared it was Bathsheba’s spirit haunting them.

To help, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, famous for their cases of haunting and demonic activity, visited the Perron home. The Warrens typically didn’t charge for investigations, instead earning a living from lectures and book sales. Lorraine once stated, “When there is no religion, it is terrifying,” explaining her belief that faith was a person’s best protection, regardless of specific beliefs.

During a séance to contact the spirits, Carolyn Perron reportedly displayed unsettling behavior, speaking in tongues and even being thrown from her chair. This frightened Roger Perron, who then asked the Warrens to leave, fearing for his wife’s health. Due to financial difficulties, the Perrons stayed in the home until 1980, living with the paranormal occurrences.

The Perron family’s experiences inspired The Conjuring, released in 2013, with Lorraine Warren serving as a consultant to ensure the film’s authenticity. Lorraine herself passed away in 2019 at the age of 92, but the story of The Conjuring remains a haunting reminder of the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

[Source: All That is Interesting]