The Alleged Smurl Family Haunting, Part 2 | Morbid | Podcast
- Oct 10, 2023
- 1:05:53
- Full Episode
On August 19, 1986, a curious news item appeared in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader regarding the home of West Pittston, PA family Jack and Janet Smurl. The couple claimed, for more than eighteen months their home had been a battleground of spiritual warfare that included everything from ghosts wandering the halls and tormenting the family dog to demons attacking the children and even sexually assaulting the adults in the house.The article in the Times Leader began a weeks-long fascination with the family and their ordeal, drawing reporters from all over Pennsylvania and the surrounding states, and eventually attracting the attention of self-proclaimed demonologist and psychic medium Ed and Lorraine Warren. At first, the Smurls' claims of demonic infestation were taken seriously by the church, many members of the press, and countless of the Smurls neighbors. As time wore on, however, the inability of both the Smurls and the Warren’s to produce any evidence of their supposed haunting led many to believe the claims were just a hoax perpetrated by the family for attention and fame.
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Brief Summary
The Smurl family's haunting claims spark media frenzy, skepticism, and controversy over their motives and the involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Key points
- Halloween Anticipation. The hosts discuss the excitement of the upcoming spooky season.
- Pub Day Excitement. Celebrating the paperback release of a book with a sneak peek of the sequel.
- Haunting Revelation. Janet claims the Devil wants them and they need help from the church.
- Demonic Possession Rarity. The church spokesperson emphasizes that valid cases of demonic possession are extremely rare.
- Crowds Gather at Haunted House. The smurl family's haunting story attracts large crowds, causing a scene outside their home.
- Psychic Investigation Claims. Janet reveals psychics linked the haunting to a decades-old murder, adding a new twist to the story.
Episode highlights
- Halloween AnticipationThe hosts discuss the excitement of the upcoming spooky season.“I feel like my soul is coming alive.”2:38Oct 10, 2023
- Pub Day ExcitementCelebrating the paperback release of a book with a sneak peek of the sequel.“It's fun to have another Pub Day.”4:50Oct 10, 2023
- Haunting RevelationJanet claims the Devil wants them and they need help from the church.“The Devil Wants us... the punishment has to stop.”17:26Oct 10, 2023
- Demonic Possession RarityThe church spokesperson emphasizes that valid cases of demonic possession are extremely rare.“It's rare, not everybody gets a demonic possession.”19:54Oct 10, 2023
- Crowds Gather at Haunted HouseThe smurl family's haunting story attracts large crowds, causing a scene outside their home.“People were getting together just looking at the house.”29:36Oct 10, 2023
- Psychic Investigation ClaimsJanet reveals psychics linked the haunting to a decades-old murder, adding a new twist to the story.“There may be a link between the alleged spirits and a decades-old murder.”31:52Oct 10, 2023
- Investigation by the ChurchThe Scranton diocese sends a priest experienced in demonology to investigate the smurl case.“The manifestations are true and not just a matter of misjudgment, hallucination, or illusion.”36:09Oct 10, 2023
- CSI Cop's Scientific ApproachInvestigator Richard Bush advocates for a critical, unemotional examination of the Smurls' claims.“Good science says let's rule out possible fraud.”40:08Oct 10, 2023
