To kick off our October series, I decided to look a little deeper into a haunting Hollywood told. “Based on true events.” But how true are these events? After a Friday night showing of The Amityville Horror {1979}, I started to wonder about the other films “based on true events.” I’ve seen the Conjuring Series, bits of the spinoff Annabelle, and of course the Exorcist. What I didn’t realize was the 2009 film The Haunting in Connecticut was also based on true events. I let my curiosity get the best of me and scrolled through Google for hours. Here is what I found.
The film might take place mid-millennium, but our story starts in the 80s. In 1986 the Snedeker family, known as the Campbells in the film, move to a rental property on Meriden Avenue in Southington Connecticut. The family consists of Allen, Carmen, their 3 sons, their daughter, and niece. The move was an effort to be closer to their eldest son Philip’s cancer treatment. Being closer to the hospital allowed him to receive outpatient care. The white duplex they’d found was simple, but the property was big and inviting. With that many kids in a house, you need ample amounts of room to keep them entertained. Unfortunately, a houses history isn’t required in the final paperwork. Prior to being a rental property, this house was a funeral home. Occupied by morticians with questionable practices and disturbing fetishes. The former owner was found guilty on charges of necrophilia and other inappropriate acts. It was once a show room filled with coffins, but now it was filled with toys and twin beds. Little ways down the hall is the former preparation room; where visitors stayed before their final resting place. Sounds and strange figures became apparent. It was the boys who noticed first. Philip claimed strange men were in the house. One man in particular stuck out. This man wore a white pinstripe suit and resembled the appearance of the former owner. While the other children complained the sounds of chains tugging at coffins terrified them. Allen and Carmen didn’t believe them. I mean, there were no coffins. Anymore. It wasn’t long before the children refused to sleep in their rooms. The rest of their nights were spent sleeping on the living room floor. Things began to escalate, but it seemed as those the spirits were focused on Philip. He behavior became erratic. He was withdrawn, fueled by anger, making irrational advancing, and out of control. He attempted to sexual assault his cousin. After a psychiatric evaluation, Philip was said to be suffering from schizophrenia and was committed. For Philip, he had escaped. The paranormal advances continued towards the rest of his family. Unseen entities committed various acts on Carmen, her niece, and Allen. All three recalled being sexually assault, but none of them physically saw the person committing the acts. The aroma of rotting flesh and decay filled the home. Mopping became a scene from Carrie as the water turned blood red. It didn’t end there. Carmen’s rosary beads were pulled apart as she clutched them in her hands while standing in the corner of the kitchen. Her niece curled into herself in her small bedroom in the back while her covers levitated above her head. They’d had enough. Carmen and her niece knew they needed help; calling on Ed and Lorraine Warren self-proclaimed demonologist or ghost hunters. The husband and wife team enlisted the help of fellow investigators, moving into the home with the family for a handful of weeks. They witnessed the demonic behavior first-hand and pleaded with the bishop’s office in Hartford. They believed the Warren’s had a case. Two willing priests came to bless the house, one of whom had already performed an exorcist in his time as a priest. Neither felt comfortable. Both knew an exorcism needed to be performed, but knew they weren’t going to do it. After receiving permission to perform an exorcism and right before the exorcism itself, a giant tree located in the front yard broke in half and fell on the property. There was no storm, no wind, and no explainable reason the tree gave out. It just did. The exorcism was performed. Ed and Lorraine claimed the house was finally clean. The Snedekers retrieved their son Philip and moved not long after.
Since, the house has not been known to have any paranormal occurrences. Now, I want to insert one more small disclaimer; in my research I’ve found that there are a few people who claim these events were exaggerated. If you remember, I mentioned the Amityville horror at the begin of this episode. Ed and Lorraine Warren were also called to checkout that case. I don’t know about any of you listening, but I didn’t know that until I dug a little deeper into the case. The Amityville horror isn’t exactly one of their top cases, which I understand. They consulted on 1000s of case throughout the course of their careers. I say all of that to say, the Amityville horror was the same way. Families who lived in these houses prior to these families didn’t experience any forms of haunting. Neither did the families after. I’m not saying that these experiences aren’t real. I personally believe in paranormal things. I’m just giving you all that I know.
What do you guys think? Do you believe or do you think there’s some sort of explanation for what Snedeker’s experienced?
Leave a Comment