Smurl haunting
Encyclopedia
The Smurl haunting refers to claims made by Jack and Janet Smurl of West Pittston, Pennsylvania
who alleged that a demon
inhabited their home between 1974 and 1989. The Smurls claims gained wide press attention and were investigated by demonologists who encouraged the Smurl's supernatural
beliefs, and clergy
, psychologists, and scientific skeptics who offered more parsimonious explanations. The Smurls version of their story was the subject of a 1986 paperback titled "The Haunted" and a 1991 made-for-TV movie of the same name released by 20th Century Fox
.
home was disturbed by a demon that caused loud noises and bad odors, threw their dog into a wall, shook their mattress, pushed one of their daughters down a flight of stairs, and physically and sexually assaulted Jack on several occasions.
In 1986, the family brought in a controversial pair of demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren. According to Ed Warren, the demon that inhabited the Smurls home was "very powerful" and that it shook mirrors and furniture after they tried to persuade it to leave by playing religious music and praying
. Warren claimed he felt a drop in temperature and saw a "dark mass" form in the home, and the demon once left a message on a mirror telling him to "get out". After months of investigation, Warren alleged that he had a number of audiotapes containing knocking and rapping caused by the demon.
Paul Kurtz, State University of New York
at Buffalo philosophy professor and then chairman of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
said the Warrens weren’t objective, independent, or impartial investigators and characterized the Smurls claims as “a hoax, a charade, a ghost story.” Kurtz said that the Smurls claims were possibly due to delusions, hallucinations or brain impairment, and advised that they submit themselves to psychiatric and psychological examinations. According to The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Smurl told a reporter he had surgery to remove water from his brain in 1983 because he had been experiencing short-term memory loss due to a case of meningitis in his youth. Allentown psychologist Robert Gordon commented that “people often look at demonology to explain many tensions that they experience as individuals and within their families”.
Spokespeople for the Roman Catholic Church
, Diocese of Scranton said they were unsure what might be causing the disturbances. St. Bonaventure University
theology professor Alphonsus Trabold, OFM, said there might be other "less demonic" explanations. The home was blessed by several priests who said they saw no harmful activity while on the property. Janet Smurl claimed an unidentified priest performed three “unsuccessful” exorcisms, and that the demon avoided the rites by moving between the double-block home and following the family to other locations. In 1986, a priest from the local diocese spent two nights at the Smurl home and said nothing unusual happened during his stay there.
In 1986, the Smurls told the press they were tired of the constant bombardment of reporters and TV cameras, however within a few months, “The Haunted,” a paperback version of their story authored by Scranton newspaper writer Robert Curran was released by St. Martin’s Press. The book was criticized by reviewers such as Times Leader staff writer Joseph Marusak who wrote, “Robert Curran forsakes the principles of his trade to give readers a one-sided account of what did or didn’t occur over several years in Jack and Janet Smurl’s former home”. Reviewer Mary Beth Gehrman wrote that the book was poorly written, adding that “it is hard to conceive of a supposedly sophisticated objective and (as far as I know, at least until now) credible reporter like Curran taking their story seriously given the complete lack of any empirical or physical evidence to support it.”
Also in 1986, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in West Pittston, Rev. Joseph Adonizio said the Smurls felt that after intense prayers, "things are back to normal.” In 1987, Janet Smurl told reporters that they still heard knocking and saw shadows. After the Smurl family moved to Wilkes-Barre, Debra Owens moved into the former Smurl home in 1988 and told reporters she never encountered anything supernatural while living there.
In 1991 a two-hour made for TV movie entitled “The Haunted” was released by 20th Century Fox, written by Robert Curran, Jack Smurl, Janet Smurl, Ed Warren and Lorraine Warren, and starring Jeffrey DeMunn
as Jack Smurl and Sally Kirkland
as Janet Smurl.
West Pittston, Pennsylvania
West Pittston is a borough in the Greater Pittston area of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River opposite Pittston. The town once produced mine screens, cut glass, crackers, and knit and silk goods.-Geography:...
who alleged that a demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
inhabited their home between 1974 and 1989. The Smurls claims gained wide press attention and were investigated by demonologists who encouraged the Smurl's supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
beliefs, and clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
, psychologists, and scientific skeptics who offered more parsimonious explanations. The Smurls version of their story was the subject of a 1986 paperback titled "The Haunted" and a 1991 made-for-TV movie of the same name released by 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
.
History
The Smurls claimed that beginning in 1974, their double-blockDuplex (building)
The term duplex can be used to describe several different dwelling unit configurations:A duplex house is defined as a dwelling having apartments with separate entrances for two families. This includes two-story houses having a complete apartment on each floor and also side-by-side apartments on a...
home was disturbed by a demon that caused loud noises and bad odors, threw their dog into a wall, shook their mattress, pushed one of their daughters down a flight of stairs, and physically and sexually assaulted Jack on several occasions.
In 1986, the family brought in a controversial pair of demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren. According to Ed Warren, the demon that inhabited the Smurls home was "very powerful" and that it shook mirrors and furniture after they tried to persuade it to leave by playing religious music and praying
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
. Warren claimed he felt a drop in temperature and saw a "dark mass" form in the home, and the demon once left a message on a mirror telling him to "get out". After months of investigation, Warren alleged that he had a number of audiotapes containing knocking and rapping caused by the demon.
Paul Kurtz, State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
at Buffalo philosophy professor and then chairman of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry , formerly known as the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal , is a program within the U.S...
said the Warrens weren’t objective, independent, or impartial investigators and characterized the Smurls claims as “a hoax, a charade, a ghost story.” Kurtz said that the Smurls claims were possibly due to delusions, hallucinations or brain impairment, and advised that they submit themselves to psychiatric and psychological examinations. According to The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Smurl told a reporter he had surgery to remove water from his brain in 1983 because he had been experiencing short-term memory loss due to a case of meningitis in his youth. Allentown psychologist Robert Gordon commented that “people often look at demonology to explain many tensions that they experience as individuals and within their families”.
Spokespeople for the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, Diocese of Scranton said they were unsure what might be causing the disturbances. St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure University
St. Bonaventure University is a private, Franciscan Catholic university, located in Allegany, Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. It has roughly 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students....
theology professor Alphonsus Trabold, OFM, said there might be other "less demonic" explanations. The home was blessed by several priests who said they saw no harmful activity while on the property. Janet Smurl claimed an unidentified priest performed three “unsuccessful” exorcisms, and that the demon avoided the rites by moving between the double-block home and following the family to other locations. In 1986, a priest from the local diocese spent two nights at the Smurl home and said nothing unusual happened during his stay there.
In 1986, the Smurls told the press they were tired of the constant bombardment of reporters and TV cameras, however within a few months, “The Haunted,” a paperback version of their story authored by Scranton newspaper writer Robert Curran was released by St. Martin’s Press. The book was criticized by reviewers such as Times Leader staff writer Joseph Marusak who wrote, “Robert Curran forsakes the principles of his trade to give readers a one-sided account of what did or didn’t occur over several years in Jack and Janet Smurl’s former home”. Reviewer Mary Beth Gehrman wrote that the book was poorly written, adding that “it is hard to conceive of a supposedly sophisticated objective and (as far as I know, at least until now) credible reporter like Curran taking their story seriously given the complete lack of any empirical or physical evidence to support it.”
Also in 1986, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in West Pittston, Rev. Joseph Adonizio said the Smurls felt that after intense prayers, "things are back to normal.” In 1987, Janet Smurl told reporters that they still heard knocking and saw shadows. After the Smurl family moved to Wilkes-Barre, Debra Owens moved into the former Smurl home in 1988 and told reporters she never encountered anything supernatural while living there.
In 1991 a two-hour made for TV movie entitled “The Haunted” was released by 20th Century Fox, written by Robert Curran, Jack Smurl, Janet Smurl, Ed Warren and Lorraine Warren, and starring Jeffrey DeMunn
Jeffrey DeMunn
Jeffrey DeMunn is an American theatre, film and television actor.-Life and career:DeMunn was born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Violet and James DeMunn. Stepson of noted actress Betty Lutes DeMunn...
as Jack Smurl and Sally Kirkland
Sally Kirkland
Sally Kirkland is an American film and television actress.-Early life:Kirkland was named after her mother, fashion editor Sally Kirkland, who was a fashion editor at Vogue and LIFE magazines, and was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father, Frederic McMichael Kirkland, worked in the scrap...
as Janet Smurl.