Summary of "HAUNTED: Enfield Poltergeist" Episode from So Supernatural
Podcast Information
- Title: So Supernatural
- Host/Author: audiochuck | Crime House
- Episode: HAUNTED: Enfield Poltergeist
- Release Date: August 1, 2025
Introduction to the Enfield Poltergeist Case
The episode delves into one of true crime’s most perplexing and eerie phenomena—the Enfield Poltergeist. Set in the late 1970s in Enfield, London, the story revolves around the Hodgson family, particularly focusing on the young daughter, Janet Hodgson, who becomes the epicenter of unexplained and terrifying supernatural activities.
Ashley Flowers sets the stage by highlighting the fascination with children’s intuitive abilities, pondering whether these youngsters might be more attuned to paranormal activities or if they possess the capacity to deceive adults:
"Or do they really just have a stronger connection to the paranormal?" (02:12)
The Hodgson Family and Initial Supernatural Events
Peggy Hodgson, a single mother raising her four children—Margaret, Janet, Johnny, and Billy—in their London home, begins experiencing disturbing occurrences. On the night of August 31, 1977, around 9:30 PM, Janet (11) and Johnny (10) wake up to sounds resembling furniture being rearranged in the dark. When their mother intervenes, the phenomena escalate when a dresser moves ominously towards her, blocking the doorway.
Yvette Gentile recounts the terrifying scene:
"It literally scoots away from the walls, turns, and then heads right for where she's standing in the doorway, like it wants to push her back into the hallway." (06:03)
Despite Peggy's attempts to push the dresser back, it remains immovable, allowing the children to escape through a narrow gap. Peggy, alarmed and seeking safety, flees to her neighbors, the Nottinghams, for refuge.
Neighbors and Police Involvement
Peggy's neighbors, initially skeptical, are swayed by the persistence and distress of the Hodgson family. Despite their disbelief in ghosts, Mr. Nottingham and his family accompany Peggy back to inspect the house. They encounter inexplicable noises and disturbances, leading them to believe Peggy’s claims.
"They tell Peggy she was absolutely right. There really is something strange happening in her home." (10:19)
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Peggy contacts the police. Officers Constable Carolyn Heaps and her unnamed partner (referred to as Fred) arrive to investigate. Upon witnessing moving objects and unexplained thuds, the officers admit their inability to handle the situation:
"It looks like you have a haunted house on your hands. We can't help you." (12:20)
This leaves the Hodgson family grappling with an inexplicable and formidable supernatural presence.
Media Attention and Maurice Gross's Involvement
With the police unable to assist, Peggy turns to the media, specifically the Daily Mirror, seeking answers. A reporter’s article brings national attention to the case. Concurrently, Maurice Gross, a paranormal investigator grieving the loss of his daughter Janet Gross, becomes intrigued by the Enfield case, seeing a personal connection.
Yvette Gentile explains Maurice's backstory and his motivation:
"He thinks Janet may have attached herself to the other Janet because she sees herself in this girl." (36:25)
Maurice, driven by his desire to connect with his deceased daughter, joins the Society for Psychical Research and dedicates himself to investigating the Hodgson household.
Investigation and Unfolding Phenomena
Maurice and his team begin a thorough investigation, setting up recording devices and attempting to document the supernatural events. Early attempts to capture phenomena, such as snapping photos, fail mysteriously as all their equipment loses power (23:42).
A pivotal moment occurs when investigator Guy Playfair witnesses Janet being violently restrained by an invisible force, suggesting direct malevolent interaction from the poltergeist (04:30).
Another chilling incident is Margaret's (13) unexplained freezing on the staircase, where she appears unable to move despite being physically pulled, indicating an invisible force restraining her (25:09).
Janet’s 12th birthday marks an intensification of the disturbances. Her bed flips over violently, causing her unconsciousness, and she begins experiencing episodes of levitation. Maurice captures a photograph of Janet levitating, with her face contorted in terror:
"It's one of pure terror." (33:02)
Additionally, recorded audio captures a deep, male voice emanating from Janet, exhibiting language and aggression beyond her years, further suggesting possession or influence by a malevolent entity (33:02).
Theories: Hoax or Genuine Poltergeist?
The investigators debate the authenticity of the events. While some suggest the possibility of a hoax, the corroborating accounts from neighbors, police officers, and the media lend credibility to the Hodgson family's claims. Yvette Gentile counters skepticism by presenting witness testimonies, such as a neighbor observing Janet’s levitation and a handyman witnessing objects swirling ominously near the window:
"How do you fake that?" (41:36)
Alternatively, another theory posited by a Society member suggests the children, especially Janet, might possess latent psychic abilities, inadvertently causing the disturbances through telekinesis. This aligns with observations that poltergeist activity often correlates with young women undergoing puberty, a period of significant hormonal and physical changes (42:53).
Conclusion and Lingering Questions
By late 1978, after enduring approximately 15 months of relentless supernatural activity, Peggy Hodgson decides to move her family out of the Enfield home. Despite relocating, some reports indicate that the disturbances persisted for a short period post-move, raising questions about the nature of the entity involved.
The episode concludes by acknowledging the unresolved mysteries surrounding the Enfield Poltergeist. Whether it was an actual malevolent spirit, a manifestation of Maurice Gross's grief, or the unexplained psychic phenomena of the Hodgson children, the case remains one of the most compelling and debated supernatural events in true crime history.
Yvette Gentile offers a reflective summary:
"We still don't know what the infilled poltergeist was. But we did get a very tiny peek behind the veil and it looks like life and death are a lot more complicated than anyone could have ever imagined." (42:53)
Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps
- Ashley Flowers: "Or do they really just have a stronger connection to the paranormal?" (02:12)
- Yvette Gentile: "It literally scoots away from the walls, turns, and then heads right for where she's standing in the doorway, like it wants to push her back into the hallway." (06:03)
- Ashley Flowers: "It looks like you have a haunted house on your hands. We can't help you." (12:20)
- Yvette Gentile: "He thinks Janet may have attached herself to the other Janet because she sees herself in this girl." (36:25)
- Ashley Flowers: "It's one of pure terror." (33:02)
- Yvette Gentile: "How do you fake that?" (41:36)
- Yvette Gentile: "We still don't know what the infilled poltergeist was. But we did get a very tiny peek behind the veil and it looks like life and death are a lot more complicated than anyone could have ever imagined." (42:53)
Conclusion
The "HAUNTED: Enfield Poltergeist" episode of So Supernatural provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of one of the most enigmatic cases in paranormal history. Through detailed narration, eyewitness accounts, and expert analysis, the episode invites listeners to ponder the boundaries between the natural and the supernatural, leaving them with more questions than answers about the true nature of the Enfield haunting.
Note: This summary is intended for those who have not listened to the episode, providing a clear and detailed overview while maintaining the narrative flow and key insights discussed by the hosts and contributors.