>> Narrator: IN THIS WORLD,
THERE IS REAL EVIL IN THE
DARKEST SHADOWS AND IN THE MOST
ORDINARY PLACES.
THESE ARE THE TRUE STORIES OF
THE INNOCENT AND THE
UNIMAGINABLE.
WHEN A FAMILY LOOKING FOR
STABILITY INVESTS THEIR HOPES IN
AN OLD HOUSE, RESTLESS SPIRITS
PREY ON THEIR FEARS...
TORMENTING THEM UNTIL THEY
LEAVE.
BUT WHEN ANOTHER FAMILY MOVES
IN, THE DEAD BECOME ANGRY AND
WILL STOP AT NOTHING UNTIL THE
HOUSE IS THEIRS.
BETWEEN THE WORLD WE SEE AND THE
THINGS WE FEAR, THERE ARE DOORS.
WHEN THEY ARE OPENED, NIGHTMARES
BECOME REALITY.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
UNION, MISSOURI, A SMALL TOWN
ABOUT 50 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
ST. LOUIS.
EUROPEAN SETTLERS HELPED
ESTABLISH THE PLACE MORE THAN
180 YEARS AGO.
FOR MOST, THEIR SOULS HAVE MOVED
ON.
BUT FOR OTHERS, THE MEMORY OF A
TRAGIC PAST FUELS THEIR ANGER,
COMPELLING THEM TO HOUND THE
LIVING.
IN MAY OF 2001, STEVEN LaCHANCE
AND HIS THREE CHILDREN ARE
BEGINNING A NEW LIFE.
>> ELI, I FOUND OUR GLOVE.
>> HEY, GUYS. PICTURE TIME.
>> WE JUST TOOK ONE YESTERDAY.
>> GRANDMA NEEDS ONE.
>> Narrator: STEVEN IS A
CORPORATE TRAINER.
HE SPECIALIZES IN IMPROVING
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MANAGEMENT
AND EMPLOYEES.
>> OKAY. READY?
>> Narrator: RECENTLY DIVORCED,
HE HAS SOLE CUSTODY OF HIS THREE
CHILDREN -- ELIZA, ELLIOT, AND
ELI.
>> OKAY, THERE WE GO.
>> Narrator: THE HOUSE IS A
RENTAL, BUT UNTIL STEVEN IS
READY TO BUY A PLACE OF HIS OWN,
IT'S A PERFECT SOLUTION.
>> IT WAS NICE AND LARGE.
WE HAD BEEN LIVING IN AN
APARTMENT WHERE WE WERE ON TOP
OF EACH OTHER.
I FELT VERY AT HOME RIGHT AWAY.
IT FELT LIKE I WAS IN THE RIGHT
PLACE.
>> DAD, YOU KNOW WHERE THE
BASEBALLS ARE?
>> IN THAT BOX BY THE FIREPLACE.
YOU ALL RIGHT UP THERE, BUDDY?
>> YEAH.
>> Narrator: STEVEN'S OLDEST,
ELIZA, IS 13.
>> I THOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS
REALLY NEAT.
I DIDN'T HAVE TO BE REALLY CLOSE
TO MY BROTHERS, 'CAUSE OUR ROOMS
HAD ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE TOGETHER.
AND THEY WEREN'T SO CLOSE
TOGETHER IN THAT HOUSE.
>> Narrator: ELI IS 12 YEARS
OLD.
ELLIOT, THE YOUNGEST, IS 11.
>> I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT IN A
BAZILLION YEARS.
>> IT WAS SO BIG COMPARED TO
WHAT WE HAD.
I WAS LIKE, "SWEET!"
>> COME ON, GUYS.
>> WAIT A MINUTE.
>> WE HAD INVESTED SO MUCH INTO
THIS MOVE, EMOTIONALLY, IT
WASN'T JUST A NORMAL MOVE FOR A
FAMILY.
IT MEANT SOMETHING.
>> Narrator: STEVEN SENDS ELI
AND ELLIOT TO THE BASEMENT TO
GET THE GARDEN HOSE.
>> ELI.
>> YEAH?
>> GIVE ME A HAND FOR A SECOND.
>> I GOT TO GET THE HOSE, DAD.
>> ELLIOT, YOU GET THE HOSE.
ELI, COME ON UP.
>> OKAY. [ IMITATING CHICKEN ]
>> STUPID HOSE.
IT'S ALL WET.
>> Elliot.
Elliot.
>> DAD!
DAD!
>> WHAT'S THE MATTER?
>> I HEARD SOMEONE CALLING AFTER
ME, LIKE, BOOM, BOOM, UP THE
STEPS.
IT FREAKED ME OUT, AND SO I TOOK
OFF.
>> WAS IT A BASEMENT MONSTER?
>> SHUT UP. IT'S NOT FUNNY.
>> KNOCK IT OFF.
GUYS, COME ON.
>> NO, I'M NOT GOING BACK DOWN
THERE.
>> COME ON, COME ON.
>> I'M NOT GOING.
>> I'LL GO WITH YOU.
>> NO.
>> OKAY.
>> I WAS TRYING TO JUSTIFY TO
HIM THAT IT'S THE MONSTER IN THE
CLOSET -- OPEN THE CLOSET,
THERE'S NO MONSTER.
I WAS DOING THE SAME THING WITH
THE BASEMENT.
YOU TAKE HIM TO THE BASEMENT,
THERE'S NO MONSTER.
>> Narrator: AT NIGHT, THE BOYS
MUST CAMP OUT IN STEVEN'S ROOM
UNTIL THEIR NEW BEDS ARRIVE.
ELIZA USUALLY JOINS THEM BEFORE
GOING TO SLEEP IN HER OWN ROOM.
>> ELIZA, STOP CHANGING THE
CHANNEL SO MUCH.
>> I WAS WATCHING THE CARDINALS
GAME.
>> I DON'T WANT TO WATCH HOCKEY.
>> IT'S BASEBALL.
>> WHATEVER.
I'M TRYING TO FIND A MOVIE OR
SOMETHING.
>> ONE MORE COMMERCIAL, AND IT'S
BEDTIME.
>> DAD, I HAVE TO GO TO THE
BATHROOM.
>> CONGRATULATIONS.
>> ELLIOT, COME ON, BUDDY.
DON'T BE SILLY.
>> WILL YOU GO WITH ME?
>> COME ON, DON'T BE SILLY.
THERE'S NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF.
>> EXCEPT THE BASEMENT MONSTER.
>> SHUT UP, ELIZA!
PLEASE?
>> YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT.
>> WE'LL WATCH THIS 'CAUSE I
CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ELSE.
[ CREAKING ]
>> I WAS NEVER THAT SCARED IN MY
LIFE.
>> DAD!
>> [ EXHALES DEEPLY ]
>> DAD! DAD!
>> WHAT'S THE MATTER?
>> THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE
HALLWAY.
>> WHAT?
>> I THINK IT'S THE THING FROM
THE BASEMENT.
>> I WAS VERY WORRIED ABOUT
ELLIOT AT THAT POINT.
I WASN'T QUITE SURE WHAT WAS
GOING ON.
I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS THE
EMOTIONS OF THE MOVE.
>> IT'S JUST THIS HOUSE.
>> NO, IT'S THERE.
>> COME ON. NOTHING OUT THERE.
I'LL TAKE YOU DOWN THERE.
>> Narrator: NOW EVEN ELI AND
ELIZA FEEL SORRY FOR THEIR
LITTLE BROTHER.
>> WE LEFT HIM ALONE ABOUT IT
'CAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE IT
BOTHERED HIM PRETTY BAD.
>> Narrator: A COUPLE OF NIGHTS
LATER, THE FAMILY RETURNS HOME
FROM A VISIT WITH STEVEN'S
PARENTS.
>> WHO LEFT ALL THE LIGHTS ON?
>> IT WASN'T US.
>> THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG HERE.
>> Narrator: THINKING SOMEONE
MIGHT HAVE BROKEN IN, STEVEN
CHECKS ALL THE DOORS AND
WINDOWS...
BUT FINDS THE HOUSE IS SECURE.
>> KIDS, I WANT YOU IN BED IN
FIVE MINUTES.
SORRY.
>> Narrator: STEVEN CALLS HIS
LANDLADY.
>> WE JUST CAME HOME, AND WHEN
WE GOT HERE, EVERY LIGHT IN OUR
HOUSE WAS ON -- ALL THE LIGHTS.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAD BEEN
HERE.
>> I WOULD NOT COME IN THE HOUSE
WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.
THAT WOULD BE ILLEGAL.
MAYBE YOU LEFT THE LIGHTS ON.
>> WELL, MAYBE.
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU.
[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]
WHOA.
[ ELECTRICITY CRACKLES ]
[ GASPING ]
>> Narrator: AN ELECTRICAL
CHARGE PASSES THROUGH STEVEN'S
BODY.
>> IT WAS LIKE THIS TICKLING
INSIDE THAT WOULD WORK ITS WAY
OUT.
>> [ EXHALES DEEPLY ]
[ DOOR OPENS ]
>> ELI?
ELLIOT?
[ DOOR CREAKS ]
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
>> IT SCARED ME QUITE A BIT
'CAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS
GOING ON.
>> DAD. DAD.
>> WHAT?
>> I'M GONNA SLEEP IN HERE
TONIGHT.
>> WHAT?
>> I WANT TO SLEEP IN HERE.
>> EVERY KID'S GONNA BE AFRAID
OF THE DARK AT SOME POINT IN
THEIR LIFE.
THAT'S HOW I JUSTIFIED IT.
SHE WAS JUST EXPERIENCING THAT
THING THAT ALL KIDS DO.
>> NO, I WANT TO SLEEP IN HERE.
>> YOU SAW IT, DIDN'T YOU?
>> GO BACK TO BED.
TELL HIM TO GO BACK TO SLEEP.
>> MOVE OVER.
>> I KNOW YOU SAW IT.
>> Narrator: STEVEN WONDERS IF
THE CHILDREN WILL EVER FEEL
COMFORTABLE IN THE OLD HOUSE.
>> THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH
IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
>> Narrator: THE NEXT DAY,
STEVEN'S FATHER, WHO IS A
GENERAL CONTRACTOR, COMES OVER
TO INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL
WIRING.
STEVEN HOPES HE'LL BE ABLE TO
OFFER A LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR
THE ELECTRICAL SHOCKS AND THE
TEMPERATURE VARIANCES.
>> THERE'S NO DOOR ON IT, BUT
THIS IS A RELATIVELY RECENT BOX.
NO SHORTS.
NOTHING HERE THAT WOULD CAUSE A
SHOCK DOWN HERE OR UPSTAIRS.
>> THAT DOESN'T NEED A DOOR TO
PROTECT THE KIDS FROM IT.
>> HEY, STEVE.
>> YEAH?
>> LOOK AT THIS.
>> WHAT?
>> THAT'S A BUTCHER SHOWER.
>> Narrator: THREE-QUARTERS OF A
CENTURY AGO, THE BUTCHER'S
SHOWER WAS USED BY FARMERS TO
CLEANSE THEMSELVES OF BLOOD
AFTER SLAUGHTERING AN ANIMAL.
THE SINK WAS USED FOR CUTTING
AND CLEANING THE MEAT.
>> I GOT TO TELL OUR AUDIENCE
FIRST -- WHEN I HEARD THIS, I
HAD TO GET YOU ON THE AIR.
WE'RE GONNA OPEN UP OUR PHONE
LINES IN JUST A SECOND.
FIRST, OUR GUEST...
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
>> HELLO? YEAH, DAD.
NO, UNH-UNH.
>> WHAT HAPPENED AND WHO WAS IT
AND WHY?
>> BETTER HURRY UP.
THE BUS IS HERE.
>> WHAT WAS THAT?
>> WAS THAT YOU?
>> IT WAS PROBABLY JUST DAD.
>> [ SCREAMING ]
>> I HEARD SCREAMING COMING FROM
I DON'T KNOW WHERE IN THE HOUSE,
AND I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS
SCREAMING.
>> [ SCREAMING CONTINUES ]
>> THIS ONE'S SHAKING, TOO.
>> STOP SLAMMING THE DOORS UP
THERE!
>> HELP! DAD!
>> HEY, DAD, I GOT TO CALL YOU
BACK.
>> DAD!
DAD!
>> UNLOCK THE DOOR.
>> HELP!
>> DAD, THE DOOR STARTED SHAKING
ITSELF.
>> OUT, OUT, OUT!
>> FINALLY, EVERYBODY BELIEVES
ME.
THERE WAS NO DOUBT.
>> GET IN THERE.
>> EVERYBODY SAW SOMETHING.
I WAS HAPPY AND TERRIFIED AT
THE SAME TIME.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
>> Narrator: THE FAMILY MOVES IN
WITH STEVEN'S PARENTS UNTIL THEY
CAN FIND A NEW HOME.
>> ONCE MY CHILDREN WERE PUT IN
DANGER, THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS
EVER GONNA STEP BACK IN THERE.
>> Narrator: ONCE AGAIN, THE
BIG, OLD HOUSE IS AVAILABLE.
IT ISN'T LONG BEFORE ANOTHER
FAMILY FALLS IN LOVE WITH IT AND
SIGNS A LEASE FOR THE SPACIOUS
HOME.
>> YOU LIKE IT?
>> IT'S GREAT.
>> I LOVE IT!
>> Narrator: THE NEW TENANTS ARE
LINDA MARSH AND HER HUSBAND
EMMETT BRYSON AND THEIR
13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, ASHLEY.
EMMETT IS A MAINTENANCE WORKER
AT A NEARBY NURSING HOME.
LINDA IS A SALES ASSOCIATE AT A
LOCAL DEPARTMENT STORE.
THEY'VE MOVED FROM A TRAILER
PARK ON THE EDGE OF TOWN.
>> WE THOUGHT WE'D HIT THE
JACKPOT.
YOU JUST FELT SO COMFORTABLE IN
THERE, AND IT WAS LIKE HOME.
>> Narrator: IN THE DAYS THAT
FOLLOWED THE MOVE, LINDA TAKES
SOME TIME OFF WORK TO DECORATE
THE HOUSE WHILE ASHLEY'S AT
SCHOOL AND EMMETT IS AT WORK.
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
>> EMMETT?
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
>> WELCOME! HI!
MY NAME IS EMILY.
I LIVE DOWN THE STREET.
I MADE YOU A PIE.
WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S KEY LIME.
I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.
>> I'M SURE I WILL.
>> HOPE IT'S NOT TOO SWEET.
I LIVE DOWN THE STREET.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE PIE.
>> Narrator: LATER THAT NIGHT...
[ DOOR SLAMS ]
>> [ GROWLING SOFTLY ]
>> MOM? DAD?
IS THAT YOU?
MOM?
>> EMMETT, CAN YOU READ THIS?
I JUST CAN'T...
>> SURE.
>> WHO WAS UPSTAIRS?
>> NO ONE. WANT SOME DESSERT?
YOUR DAD BROUGHT ICE CREAM HOME.
>> WHO WAS SLAMMING DOORS?
>> WELL, I THOUGHT THAT WAS YOU.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS.
>> IT'S JUST AN OLD HOUSE.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO GET USED TO
IT.
>> I HEARD SOMETHING.
>> YOU'RE NOT GONNA TELL ME THAT
YOU THINK THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED,
TOO, ARE YOU?
>> I LOVE MY WIFE AND MY KID.
AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT
THAT.
I AIN'T GOT TIME FOR THAT.
I'M TRYING TO THINK ABOUT HOW
I'M GONNA GET FOOD ON THE TABLE
AND PAY THE RENT AND STUFF LIKE
THAT.
>> WHAT DID YOU HEAR?
>> IT WAS NOTHING, BABY, REALLY.
IT WAS NOTHING.
>> YOU'RE BOTH CRAZY.
AND I'M GOING TO BED.
>> ASHLEY, COME HERE. SIT DOWN.
>> Narrator: LINDA IS BEGINNING
TO WONDER IF THERE'S SOMETHING
WRONG WITH THE HOUSE.
>> THAT'S, I THINK, THE FIRST
TIME I REALLY STARTED THINKING,
"OKAY, THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED.
THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON HERE
THAT WE HAVE NO ANSWER FOR."
>> AAH!
>> Narrator: STEVEN LaCHANCE
THOUGHT THE OLD HOUSE WAS OUT OF
HIS LIFE FOREVER, BUT AN OMINOUS
DREAM PULLS HIM BACK INTO ITS
CLUTCHES.
>> IT WAS A REOCCURRING
NIGHTMARE THAT HAPPENED, BUT IT
FRIGHTENED ME.
I HAD IT ENOUGH TIMES THAT
SOMETHING WAS TRYING TO TELL ME
SOMETHING.
[ FOOTSTEPS ]
>> HELLO.
MY NAME'S STEVEN LaCHANCE.
I USED TO LIVE HERE WITH MY
FAMILY, AND I WAS WONDERING IF I
MIGHT BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU
ABOUT THE HOUSE.
>> Narrator: A SHOCKING
NIGHTMARE COMPELS
STEVEN LaCHANCE TO WARN THE NEW
TENANTS OF HIS FORMER HOME.
>> I DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE
HOUSE.
I WAS AFRAID OF IT, BUT I WANTED
TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS
GOING ALL RIGHT.
>> HONEY, THIS IS STEVEN...
>> LaCHANCE.
>> EMMETT BRYSON.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> HE USED TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE
BEFORE US.
>> IS THAT RIGHT?
>> WOULD YOU LIKE SOME COFFEE?
>> I WOULD. THANK YOU.
DO YOU MIND IF I SPEAK FRANKLY?
>> GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> WELL, WHEN WE FIRST RENTED
HERE, SOME STRANGE THINGS
STARTED TO HAPPEN.
THIS IS A BIT DIFFICULT.
I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW YOU, AND
YOU DON'T KNOW ME --
>> WHY DON'T YOU JUST SAY WHAT'S
ON YOUR MIND?
>> IT'S HAUNTED.
THE HOUSE IS HAUNTED.
>> YES.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE MOVED
OUT.
>> I FELT SO GOOD TO KNOW THAT
IT HAD HAPPENED TO THEM, TOO.
I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE.
I FELT THEN LIKE, "OKAY, I'M NOT
CRAZY.
MY DAUGHTER IS NOT CRAZY."
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF UNANSWERED
QUESTIONS.
>> YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU
MOVED OUT OF THIS GREAT HOUSE
BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT IT WAS
HAUNTED?
>> FOR THE SAKE OF MY CHILDREN,
YES, I DID.
>> I DIDN'T KNOW THE GUY THAT
WELL.
>> THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO COME
OVER AND TALK TO YOU.
>> "OH, LORD, HERE WE GO."
>> WHAT KIND OF THINGS DID YOU
SEE?
>> MY SON, IN THE BASEMENT...
MY DAUGHTER UPSTAIRS...
>> LOOK, WE'RE NOT MOVING AWAY
FROM HERE, IF THAT'S WHAT THIS
IS ALL ABOUT.
IF YOU THINK OUR LANDLADY'S
GONNA GIVE US THE SECURITY
DEPOSIT BACK JUST BECAUSE YOU
THINK THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED?
>> IT WAS A LOT OF MONEY.
>> ANYWAY, I DON'T BELIEVE IN
ALL OF THIS NONSENSE.
WE'RE GONNA DEAL WITH THEM THE
BEST WE KNOW HOW, BUT WE DON'T
NEED YOUR HELP.
LOOK, IT WAS VERY NICE TO MEET
YOU, OKAY?
BUT I HAVE TO GET TO WORK.
>> I'M SORRY.
>> NO, IT'S ALL RIGHT.
I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT HAPPENED TO
ME UNTIL I SAW IT FOR MYSELF.
IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO
UNDERSTAND.
>> MY ADVICE TO LINDA, FROM THE
BEGINNING, WAS "GET OUT."
IT MADE THE WHOLE HOUSE SHAKE.
IF IT COULD DO THAT, DON'T TELL
ME IT CAN'T HURT YOU.
I KNOW IT CAN HURT YOU.
>> Narrator: LINDA DESCRIBES HER
OWN EXPERIENCES IN THE HOUSE.
>> THE ONE THING LINDA AND I
BOTH DECIDED IS WE WANTED TO
FIND OUT WHY THESE THINGS WERE
OCCURRING.
AND I WAS DOING THIS AS MUCH FOR
MYSELF AS I WAS DOING IT FOR HER
'CAUSE I WAS DEALING WITH MY OWN
DEMONS, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY.
>> Narrator: STEVEN IS
DETERMINED TO FIND SOMEONE TO
HELP SOLVE THE HAUNTING.
>> YEAH, I KNOW.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYONE IN THE
SCHOOL.
I DON'T EVEN WANT TO GO TO
CLASSES ANYMORE.
IT'S SO CREEPY.
SOMETIMES I HEAR WEIRD NOISES
WHEN I'M UPSTAIRS, AND I ASK MOM
OR DAD ABOUT IT, AND DAD'S LIKE,
"YOU'RE CRAZY."
MOM SEEMS LIKE SHE'S HIDING
SOMETHING FROM ME, BUT I DON'T
KNOW.
[ ROPE CREAKING ]
UH, HEY, I -- I GOT TO CALL YOU
BACK.
NO, I JUST GOT TO GO.
>> WHAT?
>> THERE WAS A BABY IN THE TREE.
IT WAS HANGING UPSIDE DOWN.
>> ASHLEY.
>> AT THAT POINT, I WAS REALLY
CONCERNED THAT SHE WAS HAVING
SOME KIND OF MENTAL PROBLEMS.
>> NO, I'M NOT SMOKING ANYTHING.
>> MY FIRST CONCERN WAS DRUGS.
>> MOM, I SWEAR TO GOD I SAW A
BABY IN THE TREE.
>> I ACCEPTED THE FACT THAT SHE
WAS HEARING NOISES BECAUSE I
DID, TOO.
BUT AS FAR AS SEEING THINGS, I
WAS NOT SEEING THE THINGS THAT
SHE WAS.
>> ASHLEY, THERE'S NOTHING
THERE.
>> [ SCOFFS ] FORGET IT!
JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!
>> Narrator: LINDA IS SHOCKED TO
LEARN THAT ASHLEY HAS BEEN
SKIPPING SCHOOL.
>> SHE DIDN'T LIKE SCHOOL.
SHE DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL.
>> EVERYONE HERE'S SO LAME.
>> SHE WAS JUST VERY UNHAPPY.
>> ASHLEY, WE NEED TO TALK.
>> I GOT TO GO.
I'LL CALL YOU BACK.
>> ASHLEY, I HAVE SOMETHING VERY
SERIOUS TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.
>> WHAT?
>> I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN
MISSING SCHOOL.
>> ARE YOU SPYING ON ME?
>> NO, I GOT A LETTER FROM YOUR
SCHOOL -- UNEXCUSED ABSENCES,
ASHLEY.
>> I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS.
OH, GOD, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO
YOURSELF?
>> DON'T TOUCH ME!
>> ASHLEY, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
>> I CUT MYSELF, SEE?
>> WHY WOULD YOU DO IT?
>> I'LL DO IT AGAIN 'CAUSE IT
MAKES ME FEEL BETTER!
>> I WAS JUST SO CONCERNED THAT
SHE WAS GOING TO COMMIT SUICIDE
THAT I CHECKED HER IN THE
HOSPITAL.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
>> Narrator: LINDA'S DOCTOR
EXPLAINS THAT CUTTING IS A
PHENOMENON AMONG TEENAGE GIRLS
WHO ARE TRYING TO ALLEVIATE
STRESS AND ANXIETY.
>> THE CUTTING RELEASES
ENDORPHINS.
IT'S A SUBSTANCE THAT MAKES THE
BODY FEEL GOOD.
>> I WAS VERY UPSET.
I JUST WANTED TO GET HER SOME
KIND OF HELP.
>> Narrator: ASHLEY IS COMMITTED
TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A PERIOD OF
OBSERVATION UNTIL THE DOCTORS
CAN DECIDE THE BEST THERAPY FOR
HER.
>> STOP CUTTING YOURSELF.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Narrator: BUT LINDA IS AFRAID
NONE OF THE DOCTORS WILL ACCEPT
WHAT SHE BELIEVES -- THAT
ASHLEY'S SUFFERING IS CAUSED BY
SOMETHING SUPERNATURAL.
>> I HAD A REALLY BAD FEELING
THAT, SOMEHOW, SHE WAS
POSSESSED.
>> Narrator: EMMETT RELUCTANTLY
CONSENTS TO AN INVESTIGATION...
>> STEVE, I DON'T LIKE THIS.
>> Narrator: ...WHEN STEVEN
FINDS SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HELP PUT
AN END TO THE HAUNTING.
>> IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> Narrator: BETSY
BURNETT-BELANGER IS THE DIRECTOR
OF A PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIVE
TEAM CALLED THE ST. LOUIS SPIRIT
SEARCH.
>> WHEN WE FIRST WALKED INTO THE
HOME, WE FELT SPIRIT ACTIVITY...
AND COULD TELL THAT IT WAS NOT
HUMAN AND THAT IT WAS SOMETHING
OTHERWORDLY.
AND EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, I HAD
NO IDEA.
>> WHAT WAS IT?
WHAT DID YOU FEEL?
>> WE DID FEEL SOME ACTIVITY AS
WE CAME IN.
WHAT I NEED IS MY METER.
>> Narrator: BETSY AND HER
PARTNER QUICKLY PREPARE FOR A
THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE
HOUSE.
>> WHAT WE PLAN TO DO IS TO
START UPSTAIRS IN THE BEDROOM.
>> Narrator: EMMETT THINKS
BRINGING THE INVESTIGATORS INTO
THE HOUSE IS UNNECESSARY...
AND DANGEROUS.
>> I BELIEVE IN LETTING DEAD
DOGS LIE.
I TOLD THEM, "IF YOU'RE GONNA
KEEP MESSING WITH STUFF AROUND
HERE, YOU'RE GONNA STIR UP
SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY AIN'T
LOOKING FOR."
>> I NEED YOU TO STAY HERE WHILE
WE GO THROUGH THE HOUSE, AND
THEN WE WILL RETURN HERE, AND I
WILL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT WE
FIND.
OKAY. ALL SET?
>> [ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
>> IS IT CLEAR?
>> NO. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
>> IT'S COMING FROM HERE.
>> WE DID PICK UP A VOICE.
NOW, WE COULD NOT MAKE OUT WHAT
THE VOICE WAS SAYING.
IT WAS VERY GARBLY AND VERY
MUFFLED, BUT IT DREW US TO THAT
DIRECTION.
[ BEEPING ]
>> Narrator: THE EMF METER PICKS
UP ELECTROMAGNETIC FLUCTUATIONS.
>> THERE'S A PRESENCE.
I CAN SENSE A PRESENCE.
>> Narrator: BETSY SENSES AN OLD
MAN STANDING IN THE CORNER.
>> HE WAS NOT SHYING AWAY FROM
US.
HE WAS JUST OBSERVING WHAT WE
WERE DOING AND WHY WE WERE
THERE.
WE DECIDED TO BE VERY, VERY
QUIET AND SEE IF WE COULD PICK
UP THE ACTUAL WORDS OF WHAT THIS
MAN WAS SAYING TO US.
AND WHAT WE PICKED UP
IMMEDIATELY WAS A VOICE SAYING,
"THIS IS MY HOUSE."
>> THIS IS MY HOUSE!
>> YES.
>> SO WE GOT ALMOST A SCENARIO
OF HIS LIFE THAT THIS HAD BEEN
HIS HOUSE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF
TIME.
HE HAD NO INTENTION OF LEAVING.
[ BABY CRYING ]
>> Narrator: IN ASHLEY'S
BEDROOM, BETSY FEELS A POWERFUL
NEGATIVE ENERGY.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SPIRITS.
>> IT'S HARD FOR ME TO DESCRIBE
TO YOU THE AMOUNT OF NEGATIVE
ENERGY THAT WE WERE FEELING IN
THERE.
IT WAS NOT PLEASANT.
IT WAS NOT A PLEASANT PLACE TO
BE.
>> WHY DON'T WE SIT DOWN AND TRY
AND FIGURE OUT WHERE THIS ENERGY
IS COMING FROM.
>> WE SAT THERE FOR A GOOD 15,
20 MINUTES, TRYING TO ABSORB, TO
FIGURE OUT IF THERE WAS ACTUAL
ENTITIES THERE OR IF THIS WAS
POLTERGEIST ACTIVITY THAT WAS
GENERATED BY THIS ADOLESCENT
GIRL.
>> Narrator: "POLTERGEIST" IS A
GERMAN WORD MEANING "NOISY
GHOST."
>> NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE
THAT POLTERGEISTS ARE ACTUAL
ENTITIES.
I'M NOT ONE OF THEM.
I BELIEVE THAT IT IS ENERGY, AND
IT IS ENERGY THAT IS USUALLY
NEGATIVE.
>> Narrator: BETSY CONCLUDES
THAT ASHLEY POSSESSES
PSYCHOKINETIC ABILITIES.
SHE HAS CREATED A PHYSICAL
EMBODIMENT OF HER OWN NEGATIVE
ENERGY.
>> THIS WAY.
[ BEEPING ]
>> THIS ENTITY WAS VERY EXCITED
AND WAS VERY AGITATED BY THE
FACT THAT WE WERE THERE TRYING
TO FIND OUT WHO IT WAS.
>> Narrator: BETSY STEPPED INTO
A PSYCHIC FORCE FIELD -- A
VORTEX OF SPIRITUAL ENERGY.
>> IT'S LIKE STANDING IN A WIND
TUNNEL ALMOST.
YOUR CLOTHES AREN'T BLOWING
AROUND, BUT YOU CAN FEEL THAT
VIBRATION IN YOUR BODY.
>> I'VE FELT ENOUGH.
[ PANTING ]
>> Narrator: BETSY BELIEVES THAT
ENERGY VORTEXES ORIGINATE DEEP
INSIDE THE EARTH AND CAN ATTRACT
SPIRITS.
>> ESPECIALLY SPIRITS WHO ARE
WANDERING WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND
WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND
THEIR WAY.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF ENERGY GOING
THAT'S ON IN THIS HOME.
>> I DID NOT ADVISE LINDA TO
MOVE OUT OF THAT HOUSE.
IT WASN'T MY PLACE TO DO THAT.
I DID TELL HER THAT IF SHE COULD
NOT COME TO TERMS WITH LIVING
WITH THE MAN UPSTAIRS OR HAVING
THE ENTITY IN THE BASEMENT, THAT
MIGHT BE SOMETHING SHE MIGHT
CONSIDER.
>> WHO EXACTLY ARE THESE
SPIRITS?
>> WE DON'T KNOW.
>> Narrator: BETSY TELLS STEVEN
THE TRAUMATIC EVENTS OF THE PAST
COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
HAUNTING.
HOPING TO RID THE HOUSE OF THE
SPIRITS, STEVEN ARRANGES FOR A
ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST TO PERFORM
A BLESSING.
>> IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, I
DEMAND YOU TO GO BACK.
[ CREAKING ]
I BLESS THIS HOUSE IN THE NAME
OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND
OF THE HOLY GHOST.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO LEAVE.
>> FATHER, YOU DIDN'T DO ALL THE
UPSTAIRS BEDROOMS.
>> IT'S NOT NECESSARY TO DO ALL
THE ROOMS IN THE HOUSE.
>> BUT MY SON AND THE PSYCHIC
SAID THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF
ACTIVITY IN THE BASEMENT.
>> HE SEEMED LIKE HE WAS
JUST VERY UNEASY THE WHOLE TIME
HE WAS IN THE HOUSE.
HE JUST SEEMED LIKE ALL HE
WANTED WAS TO GET OUT.
>> Narrator: ALTHOUGH THE
BLESSING WAS BRIEF, LINDA
REMAINS HOPEFUL THAT IT WORKED.
[ CREAKING ]
>> [ GRUNTING ]
[ COUGHING, PANTING ]
OH, GOD!
>> WHAT'S WRONG, BABY?
>> IT WAS CHOKING ME.
>> WHAT WAS CHOKING YOU?
>> I DON'T KNOW.
IT HAD ITS HANDS AROUND MY
THROAT.
>> IT WAS JUST A DREAM.
>> EMMETT, IT WASN'T A DREAM.
HE WAS TRYING TO KILL ME!
>> I TOLD HIM, "I DON'T KNOW
WHAT IT WAS, BUT IT FELT LIKE
THERE WERE HANDS AROUND MY
THROAT."
>> I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
>> WE'LL LEAVE. IT'S OKAY.
>> [ GRUNTING ]
[ COUGHING, PANTING ]
OH, GOD.
[ TELEPHONE RINGS ]
>> HELLO?
>> STEVEN?
>> WHAT'S WRONG?
>> [ Sobbing ] THEY TRIED TO
STRANGLE ME.
>> SHE WAS OBVIOUSLY HEADED TO A
NERVOUS BREAKDOWN.
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA
DO!
I WOULD RATHER TAKE PILLS AND
DIE THAN TO KEEP GOING LIKE
THIS.
>> NOW, LISTEN TO ME...
>> I SAID, "PACK YOUR BAGS.
I'M COMING TO GET YOU, AND WE'RE
GETTING YOU OUT."
>> I'LL BE OVER THERE IN FIVE
MINUTES.
>> Narrator: STEVEN BELIEVES
THAT THE EVIL IN THE HOUSE IS
TEARING LINDA APART.
>> DON'T DO ANYTHING FOOLISH.
THINK ABOUT ASHLEY.
>> OKAY. HURRY!
>> I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING
ON IN THE HOUSE.
>> LINDA!
>> [ SOBBING ]
>> LINDA! LINDA!
ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
COME HERE, COME HERE.
>> I SAW THE BRUISES ON HER
BODY.
>> WHO DID THAT TO YOU?
>> THE SPIRIT.
>> COME ON.
LET ME HELP YOU GET UP.
>> AT THAT POINT, SHE WAS
SUICIDAL.
>> Narrator: LINDA IS ADMITTED
TO THE HOSPITAL.
SHE REMAINS THERE UNDER CLOSE
OBSERVATION FOR FOUR DAYS.
SHE'S EXAMINED BY PSYCHIATRIST
DR. IMRON SHISHDI.
>> AT THAT TIME, SHE WAS
DEPRESSED AND FELT HOPELESS
AND SUICIDAL.
>> LINDA, TELL ME ABOUT THE
FOOTSTEPS.
>> Narrator: IT IS NOT UNTIL HER
THIRD MEETING WITH THE DOCTOR
THAT LINDA TOLD HIM THE REAL
REASON SHE WANTED TO DIE.
>> DO YOU HEAR VOICES?
>> [ EXHALES DEEPLY ]
>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF I TOLD
YOU THAT MY HOUSE IS HAUNTED?
[ COUGHING ]
YOU'D THINK I WAS CRAZY,
WOULDN'T YOU?
>> NO, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT.
I WOULDN'T THINK YOU'RE CRAZY AT
ALL.
>> MY REACTION WAS, "I BELIEVE
YOU.
MAYBE YOUR HOUSE MAY HAVE BEEN
HAUNTED.
TELL ME MORE."
>> Narrator: DR. SHISHDI
BELIEVES HIS HAS A UNIQUE
PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORLD OF
SPIRITS.
>> I'M MUSLIM BY FAITH, AND WE
GREW UP READING THE KORAN AND
THE PRESENCE OF THESE BEINGS OF
THEIR WORLD IS DOCUMENTED IN ALL
RELIGIOUS BOOKS.
>> I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A
PRESCRIPTION FOR YOUR ANXIETY.
>> Narrator: LINDA IS DIAGNOSED
WITH DEPRESSION, BUT DR. SHISHDI
BELIEVES SHE DOES NOT SUFFER
FROM A MENTAL ILLNESS THAT MIGHT
CAUSE HER TO HAVE HALLUCINATIONS
OR HEAR VOICES.
HE ENCOURAGES LINDA TO STOP HER
INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE
HAUNTINGS AND MOVE OUT OF THE
HOUSE IMMEDIATELY.
>> I DON'T KNOW OF MANY PEOPLE
WHO HAVE CHALLENGED THE SPIRITS
AND WALKED WAY.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF SOMEONE
BROKE INTO YOUR HOUSE IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?
YOU WOULD CHASE THEM OUT.
IT IS THEIR PLACE.
IF YOU STAY THERE AND SAY, "I
DON'T BELIEVE IN YOU," THEN THEY
MIGHT COMPELLED TO SHOW YOU
SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN
THEM.
>> THANKS, STEVE.
>> WELCOME.
>> Narrator: LINDA ARRANGES TO
MOVE IN WITH A RELATIVE WHO
LIVES NEARBY.
ASHLEY IS RELEASED FROM THE
MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY.
SHE'LL BE STAYING WITH HER
MOTHER UNTIL EMMETT FINDS
ANOTHER PLACE SUITABLE FOR THE
WHOLE FAMILY.
>> SINCE WE LEFT THE HOUSE,
THINGS ARE SO MUCH BETTER.
OUR WHOLE FAMILY LIFE HAS JUST
IMPROVED A LOT.
IT'S PRETTY MUCH BACK TO WHERE
IT USED TO BE.
>> Narrator: FOR
STEVEN LaCHANCE, WHAT HAUNTED
THE UNION HOUSE REMAINS A
MYSTERY, BUT HE DOES HAVE A
THEORY -- WHATEVER IS THERE, FOR
SOME REASON, IS TARGETING
EVERYONE'S WORST FEARS.
>> ELIZA'S AFRAID OF CLOSETS, SO
HER CLOSET DOOR OPENS AT NIGHT.
ELLIOT'S AFRAID OF CLOWNS.
HE'S SEEING CLOWNS.
MY WORST FEAR WOULD BE ME NOT
BEING ABLE TO GET TO MY
CHILDREN.
I THINK THIS PLACE IS A
PREDATOR.
I THINK IT THINKS.
I KNOW THAT SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT,
TO LIVE THROUGH WHAT I'VE LIVED
THROUGH AND TO SEE HOW IT WOULD
PICK CERTAIN THINGS THAT IT
SHOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN, BUT IT DID
KNOW, HOW ELSE WOULD YOU EXPLAIN
THAT?
>> Narrator: SOON AFTER LINDA
AND EMMETT MOVE OUT, ANOTHER
FAMILY WITH SIX CHILDREN, MOVE
INTO THE HOUSE.
WITHIN SIX MONTHS, THEY, TOO,
MOVE OUT.