So Supernatural Podcast Episode Summary
Title: HAUNTED: Cranmer Family Demon with Two Girls One Ghost
Host: audiochuck | Crime House
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Introduction and Special Guests (00:02 - 05:20)
In this episode of So Supernatural, hosts Ashley Flowers and Yvette Gentile delve into the chilling tale of the Cranmer family's encounter with a demonic presence in their Pittsburgh home. Enhancing the discussion, they are joined by Sabrina Deanna Roga and Corinne Vian from the popular podcast Two Girls, One Ghost. The special guests bring additional insights and personal paranormal experiences, enriching the narrative and providing a collaborative exploration of the Cranmer case.
The Cranmer Family’s Haunting Begins (05:21 - 16:53)
The story centers on Bob Cranmer, a former army officer turned politician, who, along with his wife Lisa and their four children, moved into their dream home located at 3406 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, in October 1988. The house, built around 1910, is described as a majestic three-story residence with four rooms, a dedicated music room, and three working fireplaces. Bob's fascination with the house began in his childhood, where he felt an inexplicable draw to it, almost as if it was calling him.
Notable Quote:
Bob Cranmer reflects on the incident when he was hitchhiked home and dropped off directly in front of his dream house:
Bob Cranmer (16:09): "They drop him off right in front of 3406 Brownsville Road. I mean, what."
Despite initial excitement, the family soon experiences unsettling events. During a walkthrough, their two-year-old son, Bobby Jr., inexplicably wanders off and is found terrified on the grand staircase, crying without explaining the reason. This eerie incident does not deter Bob and Lisa from purchasing the house, highlighting Bob's obsession.
Escalation of Paranormal Activity (17:02 - 30:44)
Upon moving in, the Cranmer family begins to encounter a series of bizarre occurrences:
- Unexplained Lights and Rearrangements: Bob wakes up to find downstairs lights on despite remembering turning them off, and furniture shifts overnight.
- Children’s Distress: Bobby Jr. rejects his bedroom, preferring to hide in his closet, while other children exhibit fear and discomfort at night.
- Attempts to Combat the Haunting: In response, Bob invites a priest to bless the home. However, during the blessing, Bobby Jr. adamantly refuses entry into his room, intensifying the family's fears.
Notable Quote:
Bob considers putting his trust in faith to combat the haunting:
Bob Cranmer (26:28): "What do we think? Is Lisa a mom experiencing normal burnout, or do you think this is the effects of living in a haunted house?"
The hosts discuss with the guests the effectiveness of religious interventions, sharing personal anecdotes and skepticism about traditional exorcism methods. They suggest that ignoring paranormal activity can sometimes diminish its influence, though in the Cranmer case, the disturbances only escalate.
Descent into Chaos and Exorcisms (30:44 - 51:56)
As the paranormal activity worsens, the Cranmer family's personal lives begin to unravel:
- Lisa's Decline: Lisa becomes increasingly forgetful and overwhelmed, eventually agreeing to a two-week stay at a mental health facility to recuperate.
- Bobby Jr.'s Aggression: In 2003, a severe incident occurs where Bobby Jr., then 16, violently attacks Bob during a heated argument, leading to Bob’s arrest for assaulting his minor son. This incident propels Bob to seek more definitive solutions for the haunting.
Notable Quote:
The hosts ponder the impact of the haunting on the family’s dynamics:
Ashley Flowers (33:28): "What do they say about him and their childhood?"
Bob employs multiple exorcisms over two years, each attempt seeming to offer only temporary relief. The family's deteriorating mental health and the physical manifestations of the haunting, such as bleeding walls and scratches on their skin, push Bob to seek increasingly desperate measures.
Historical Mysteries and the Ultimate Revelation (51:56 - 69:40)
Bob's investigation into the house's past uncovers a haunting history:
- 1792 Massacre: Records indicate that in early 1792, a European woman and her three children were brutally murdered in Brentwood, with her husband planting an oak tree at the site as a memorial.
- Early 1900s Curse: A construction worker, spurned by Mrs. Malik, who built the Cranmer house, allegedly cursed the property by placing a singular plank of wood in the basement.
- Dr. M’s Illegal Activities: In the 1920s and 30s, Dr. M, a local doctor, performed illegal abortions in the house, resulting in the death of a patient whose body he disposed of in the basement furnace.
Notable Quote:
Bob seeks to understand the depths of his house’s dark history:
Ashley Flowers (55:22): "The facts? I think it's just according to Bob."
A psychic named Connie reveals to Bob that he is a reincarnated soul destined to purify the house from its malevolent forces. This spiritual revelation aligns with Bob's relentless pursuit to rid his home of the haunting.
The Aftermath and Unanswered Questions (69:40 - 74:29)
Bob eventually succeeds in his mission, converting his haunted house into a bed and breakfast. He openly shares the house's history but warns guests against engaging in activities like using Ouija boards to prevent reigniting the demonic presence. Despite achieving peace, the episode raises critical questions about the long-term effects on Bob’s family, the authenticity of his experiences, and the broader implications of attributing mental health issues to supernatural causes.
Notable Quote:
Reflecting on the interplay between mental health and supernatural beliefs:
Ashley Flowers (70:00): "What is important is that the family was struggling at times. At some point while he lived in the House, Bobby Jr. Was diagnosed with schizophrenia."
The discussion concludes with a nuanced view, acknowledging both the possibility of genuine supernatural phenomena and the importance of addressing mental health with professional support.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts (74:29 - End)
As the episode wraps up, hosts and guests emphasize the complexity of the Cranmer case, leaving listeners to ponder the delicate balance between supernatural explanations and psychological realities. They highlight the enduring mystery surrounding the Cranmer family's experiences and the lingering questions about what truly transpired within the walls of 3406 Brownsville Road.
Final Quote:
Yvette Gentile (73:16): "We want the answer either way. I mean, Bob believes this tragedy helped attract evil energies to his house, but he doesn't think it's the only factor that led to the possession."
The episode underscores the enduring allure of supernatural mysteries while advocating for a compassionate approach to unexplained phenomena, encouraging listeners to seek understanding from multiple perspectives.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Bob Cranmer (16:09): "They drop him off right in front of 3406 Brownsville Road. I mean, what."
- Bob Cranmer (26:28): "What do we think? Is Lisa a mom experiencing normal burnout, or do you think this is the effects of living in a haunted house?"
- Ashley Flowers (33:28): "What do they say about him and their childhood?"
- Ashley Flowers (55:22): "The facts? I think it's just according to Bob."
- Ashley Flowers (70:00): "What is important is that the family was struggling at times. At some point while he lived in the House, Bobby Jr. Was diagnosed with schizophrenia."
- Yvette Gentile (73:16): "We want the answer either way. I mean, Bob believes this tragedy helped attract evil energies to his house, but he doesn't think it's the only factor that led to the possession."
Final Thoughts
The Cranmer family's story is a compelling blend of historical tragedy, spiritual warfare, and personal struggle. So Supernatural expertly weaves together firsthand accounts, expert opinions, and historical research to present a multifaceted narrative that challenges listeners to consider the intersections of faith, fate, and the unexplained. Whether one believes in the supernatural or views the events through a psychological lens, the episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of how families cope with and interpret profound disturbances in their lives.