DeadLine Paranormal

The Smurl haunting refers to claims made by Jack and Janet Smurl of West Pittston, Pennsylvania. The Smurls claimed a demon or demons lived in their home between the approximate years of 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. 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.

 

The Smurls stated that in 1974, their double-block home was occupied by a demon that caused loud noises, bad odors, and poltergeist activity such as a force that threw their dog into a wall, shakes their mattress. The Smurls also claimed this demon pushed one of their daughters down a flight of stairs, and has physically and sexually assaulted Jack on several occasions.

 

The Smurl family turned to well known demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren in or around 1986. Ed Warren, stated after months of research that the demon that is harassing the Smurls is "very powerful" and that it shook mirrors and furniture after they tried to persuade it to leave. Ed and Lorraine tried making the demon leave the family and house alone by playing religious music and praying. Upon initial findings Warren felt a drop in temperature when he saw a dark figure form in the house. Ed said that the  demon left a message on a mirror telling him to "get out". Warren alleged that he had a number of E.V.P's that were captured containing knocking and rapping.The home was then 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, the Smurls told the press they were tired 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. 

 

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

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.