The Smurl Haunting — A Family Under Siege

From True Paranormal Stories by Laureen Scarboro

June 8, 2026 · 9 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the infamous Smurl Haunting, detailing the disturbing supernatural events experienced by the Smurl family over a decade.

The Smurl Haunting is one of the most famous and controversial paranormal cases in the United States. Beginning in the 1970s, Jack and Janet Smurl claimed that their family home in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, became the center of increasingly disturbing supernatural activity that lasted for more than a decade. What started as unexplained noises, strange smells, flickering lights, and objects moving on their own gradually escalated into more frightening experiences. Family members reported hearing footsteps in empty rooms, feeling unseen hands touch them, witnessing furniture move unexpectedly, and experiencing physical scratches and attacks. Even the family dog reportedly reacted to unseen presences inside the home. As fear grew, the Smurls sought help from religious leaders and paranormal investigators. The case gained national attention when famous investigators Ed Warren and Lorraine Warren became involved. They concluded that multiple entities, including a potentially demonic presence, were haunting the house. Despite blessings, prayers, and various attempts to remove the alleged spirits, the family claimed that the disturbances continued. The story attracted widespread…

People in this episode

Host: Laureen Scarboro

Topics covered

paranormal activity
haunting
family experiences
supernatural investigation
demonic presence

Keywords

Smurl Haunting
paranormal
supernatural
haunting
demonic presence
Ed Warren
Lorraine Warren

Mentioned in this episode

Places: West Pittston, Pennsylvania