The Snedeker Family Haunting: A Real-Life Horror Story



The Snedeker family haunting is one of the most chilling and controversial paranormal cases in modern history. The case, which reportedly took place in Southington, Connecticut, in the 1980s, involved claims of demonic activity, poltergeist disturbances, and even physical attacks. The events were so terrifying that they caught the attention of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who declared the house to be infested with dark entities. The story later inspired the 2009 horror film The Haunting in Connecticut and several books, but to this day, debate rages over whether the Snedeker family's experiences were real or an elaborate hoax.

Moving Into a Funeral Home

In 1986, Carmen and Allen Snedeker moved into a rented home in Southington with their four children and two nieces. The move was intended to bring them closer to the UConn Health Center, where their eldest son, Philip, was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Shortly after moving in, the family made a chilling discovery—their new home had once been a funeral parlor. The basement still contained embalming tables, tools, and even a blood drainage pit, remnants of its grim past.

At first, the family dismissed their unease. However, it wasn’t long before strange and terrifying events began to unfold.

Terrifying Paranormal Activity

The Snedekers reported an escalating series of frightening and inexplicable phenomena, including:

• Apparitions and Shadow Figures: Family members claimed to see ghostly figures, including a man in a pinstriped suit and a tall, thin, dark-eyed entity.
• Objects Moving on Their Own: Lights flickered, doors slammed, and crucifixes were torn from walls.
• Rotting Flesh Odors: A putrid smell would suddenly fill the house, particularly at night.
• Physical Attacks: Carmen claimed she was touched inappropriately by an unseen force, while Allen reported being pushed and slapped.
• Personality Changes: The most disturbing change was in Philip, the teenage son. He began drawing violent images, speaking in dark, sinister tones, and even attacking his family.

Eventually, Philip was diagnosed with schizophrenia and sent to a psychiatric hospital. However, the Snedekers insisted that what happened to him was not a mental illness but the result of demonic possession.

The Warrens’ Involvement

Terrified and desperate, the Snedekers contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren, famous demonologists known for their work on The Amityville Horror and The Enfield Poltergeist. After investigating, the Warrens declared that the house was infested with demonic entities. Lorraine, a clairvoyant, claimed to sense the presence of multiple spirits, possibly former morticians who had defiled corpses in the funeral home’s past. According to the Warrens, these dark spirits targeted the Snedekers, especially Philip, in an attempt to break down the family. They enlisted a Catholic priest to perform an exorcism, which they claimed finally rid the house of its supernatural tormentors.

Skepticism and Controversy

Despite the terrifying claims, many skeptics doubted the Snedeker haunting. Critics pointed out several inconsistencies in the family's accounts, with details changing in different interviews. Others suggested that the family may have exaggerated or even fabricated the events for media attention. Even Ray Garton, the author hired to write In a Dark Place—a book based on the case—claimed that the Snedekers’ stories were inconsistent and unreliable. He later stated that the Warrens encouraged him to "make things up" to fill in the gaps. Additionally, the home’s next occupants never reported any paranormal activity, casting further doubt on the claims.

Was It Real or Just a Horror Story?

To this day, the Snedeker haunting remains one of the most controversial paranormal cases. Whether it was a true demonic infestation, a case of psychological distress, or a hoax for fame, the chilling tale has left a lasting mark on paranormal history. Was the Snedeker family truly tormented by dark forces, or was it all an elaborate story? The answer may never be known—but their terrifying account continues to haunt believers and skeptics alike.