Morbid Podcast: The Perron Family Haunting

Hosts: Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
Episode Date: April 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ash and Alaina take listeners through the chilling and infamous case of the Perron Family Haunting—the real-life inspiration behind The Conjuring movie. With their trademark blend of detailed research and playful banter, the co-hosts unpack the history of the Perron family, the haunting events they endured, and the tangled legacy of stories, media attention, and skepticism that followed. Listeners are treated to a layered exploration of what made this haunting so unnerving, the cultural echoes it set off, and the personal consequences for those who lived (and survived) it.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Context

[02:51–09:00]

• After friendly banter and life updates, Ash introduces the haunting as the inspiration behind The Conjuring films:

  "We’re going to be talking about the Perron Family Haunting today, which apparently, apparently, apparently was the inspiration for the Conjuring movies. Oh, like the first one, at least." – Ash [08:52]

• The story begins with Roger and Carolyn Perron's marriage in 1957 and the expanding family of five daughters.

2. The Perron Family's Early Life

[09:03–11:28]

• Quick rundown of the family dynamic:
  • Roger: Long-haul trucker, emotionally distant, described as “less encouraging” and “not that emotionally available.”
  • Carolyn: “A good mama,” thoughtful, treated each daughter as an individual.
  • Andrea (eldest daughter) becomes the central chronicler.
• The family moves to Willimantic, CT, and then to Cumberland, RI, seeking roots and stability.

Quote:

"She took great pleasure in their company. It’s just like six besties living in a house. Hell, yeah." – Ash [11:09]

3. Shifting Fortunes: Tragedy and Unrest in Cumberland

[13:03–18:49]

• The death of their puppy Bathsheba in an accident marks the start of a chain of traumatic events:
  • Neighborhood becomes increasingly unsafe: rise in juvenile crime, thefts, assaults, even a shocking attempted assault at the local school.
  • The Perrons experience further loss: death of their cat and a home break-in.
• The accumulation drives Carolyn to urge Roger for a move:

  “She basically said, in no uncertain terms… she was straight up not having a good time in Cumberland, Rhode Island.” – Ash [18:33]

Memorable Moment:

"She said, it's not for us out here in these streets. And I would like to sell this house and move into the country." – Ash [18:40]

4. Finding and Moving Into the Harrisville Farmhouse

[27:27–33:36]

• Carolyn finds an irresistible listing for a colonial farmhouse in rural Harrisville—soon revealed to be the infamous “Conjuring House.”
• Despite Roger's concerns, Carolyn places a deposit before consulting him fully.
• The family tours and ultimately moves into the house in January 1971, aided by friends, with Roger reluctantly won over by the property’s charm.

Quote:

“He was like, I also don’t think a few bad experiences are sufficient enough reason to leave. He’s like, lift your crime rate, though. I was like, the home invasion is the crime is the crime of it all upsetting to you, Roger.” – Ash [20:37]

Notable Moment:

Mr. Kenyon, the groundskeeper, leaves them with an ominous warning:

"Leave the lights on at night. Better to light a candle than curse the darkness." – Mr. Kenyon [34:17]

5. The Haunting Begins: Unexplainable Phenomena

[36:05–47:46]

• The family experiences classic “haunted house” phenomena: abundant, uncanny noises, frequent temperature fluctuations, feelings of being watched.
• The girls and Carolyn begin to share stories of their experiences:
  • Apparitions (such as the "smoky" figure emerging from the cellar).
  • Unpleasant odors, physical sensations, and even attacks (Cynthia’s encounter results in exhaustion; Carolyn nearly struck by a scythe thrown from the hayloft).
  • Carolyn is physically attacked by a wire hanger in full view of her neighbor and five daughters.

Quote:

“They all saw this—see her being whacked across the face, head, and neck with a wire coat hanger, held in the air just, like, by some unseen force.” – Ash [47:29]

Memorable Moment:

Neighbor's repeated warning to keep the lights on:

"The Kenyons always kept the lights on overnight. All the lights every night." – Mrs. Pettigrew [48:25]

6. Isolation, Disbelief, and Escalation

[51:06–62:13]

• Roger remains skeptical and emotionally distant, refusing to believe the women’s stories, which increases Carolyn’s stress and sense of isolation.

• The haunting intensifies:

  • Figures, cold spots, beds shaking, poltergeist activity.
  • The infamous “twisted, grotesque” woman apparition appears to Carolyn at night, paralyzing her with fear.
  • Apparition is described as:

    “Her neck seemed to have been snapped, causing her head to tilt at an unnatural angle… she stared, gray-eyed and unblinking at Carolyn.” – Ash [54:26]

• Andrea and the girls share more experiences, including the entity’s “friendliness” toward one child, echoing the archetype of sinister child hauntings.

Quote:

"'Mom, she loves me, Mom. She wants to be friends with her.'" – Quoting Cindy, the daughter [57:58]

7. The Legend of Bathsheba and Seeking Help

[62:13–66:38]

• Carolyn learns from a local, Fran, about the property’s history:
  • Former owner Bathsheba Sherman was widely believed to be a witch who allegedly murdered a child.
• Carolyn connects this lore to their experiences.
• The family eventually reaches out to Ed and Lorraine Warren, who visit, confirm an “evil presence,” and initiate a highly publicized investigation.

Memorable Moment:

“Ed and Lorraine definitely would do their best to help the family, but they also would create a public spectacle that would benefit them more than the parents.” – Ash [65:28]

8. The Dramatic Seance and Aftermath

[66:38–70:07]

• The Warrens conduct a “cleansing”/exorcism-ritual, bringing with them an entourage of ghost hunters, shaman, and clergy.
• During the ritual, Carolyn acts possessed, uttering guttural noises.
  • Roger, deeply skeptical and angry, physically confronts Ed Warren by punching him.
• The chaos ends with Roger expelling everyone from the house.
• Andrea, as an adult, reflects that her father’s denial might have sprung from guilt over having put his family in danger.

Quote:

“Do you realize you’re being played by a pair of two-bit charlatans?” – Roger to Carolyn [69:21]

9. Resolution and Legacy

[70:30–74:10]

• The haunting slowly abates in intensity after the seance but never fully resolves; the family lives in the house until 1980.
• Carolyn and Roger eventually divorce but try to maintain positive relationships with their daughters.
• Later homeowners have experienced unwanted attention from “Conjuring” fans and media, but no reported supernatural activity.
• Andrea, now grown, sees Bathsheba’s legend as exaggerated and the real history as more ambiguous.

Quotes:

“The release of the film based loosely on her family's experiences prompted a significant interest too, in the legend of Bathsheba Sherman, who Andrea and local historians now believe was unfairly maligned.” – Ash [71:39]
“I'm team Carolyn.” – Elena [69:47]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Leave the lights on at night. Better to light a candle than curse the darkness." – Mr. Kenyon [34:17]
• "Whatever had held it previously was gone. And Carolyn was just sitting there in tears, just having been hit with a wire hanger." – Ash [47:46]
• "She wants to be friends with her." – Cindy, as quoted by Ash [57:58]
• "Do you realize you’re being played by a pair of two-bit charlatans?" – Roger [69:21]
• "The Kenyons always kept the lights on overnight. All the lights every night." – Mrs. Pettigrew [48:25]
• "I'm team Carolyn." – Elena [69:47]

Memorable & Humorous Moments

• Aura farming/aura maxing tangent: Hilarious commentary on Gen Z lingo about “aura farming” and “maxing” [19:10–20:10].
• Carolyn’s impulsive house deposit:

  "Carolyn said 1-800-listing agent, and she scheduled a showing for the following day." – Ash [28:26]

• Recurring bit about hauntings always being accompanied by bad smells:

  "A fart cloud. A paranormal fart club. Now, as soon as the odor entered Cynthia’s nostrils. The smell was apparently so overpowering that it sent her into a coughing fit." – Ash [44:38]

Conclusion: The Lasting Impact of the Perron Haunting

[71:33–74:10]

• The story remains a foundational “real” haunting for American folklore and media (especially after The Conjuring).
• Both skepticism and belief persist, with the hosts admiring Carolyn’s resilience and acknowledging the emotional impact on the whole family.
• The episode closes with their signature humor, anticipation for spooky season, and a fond reminder of their love for haunted tales.

“Love hauntings… It’s almost spooky season.” – Ash & Elena [74:01]

Segment Timestamps (Quick Reference)

• Perron Family Background: [09:03–13:25]
• Turning Tragedy in Cumberland: [13:25–18:49]
• Finding the House: [27:27–33:36]
• Early Haunting Signs: [36:05–47:46]
• Physical Encounters and Community Warnings: [47:46–51:06]
• Disbelief and Family Strain: [51:06–62:13]
• Bathsheba Sherman Lore & The Warrens Enter: [62:13–66:38]
• Warrens’ Seance & Fallout: [66:38–70:30]
• Final Years & Modern Legacy: [70:30–74:10]

Final Thought

If you’re looking for an in-depth, entertaining, and empathetic exploration of one of America’s most famous hauntings—with all the layered humanity, cultural context, and a few legendary zingers—you’ll find this episode a can’t-miss. Keep your lights on and your auras…maxed.