The Five Most Terrifying Secrets Of The Smurl Haunting: Ed And Lorraine Warren's Controversial 'Last Case'

The Smurl Haunting, a case of alleged demonic infestation that terrorized a family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, stands today as the definitive answer to the question: "What was Ed and Lorraine Warren's last major case?" As of December 18, 2025, renewed public interest is surging due to the upcoming film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, which focuses entirely on this disturbing and highly controversial investigation. This case, which the Warrens took on in 1986, is a complex tapestry of poltergeist activity, sexual assault claims, and public scrutiny, making it one of the most polarizing files in the history of American paranormal research.

The self-professed demonologists, Ed and Lorraine Warren, claimed to have investigated over 10,000 cases during their decades-long career, but the Smurl family's ordeal marked the final, large-scale investigation to be immortalized by the cinematic universe they inspired. While the real-life Lorraine Warren continued her work until her death, the Smurl case represents the closing chapter of their public, joint career, leaving behind a legacy of fear, faith, and enduring skepticism.

The Complete Biography of Ed and Lorraine Warren

Edward "Ed" Warren Miney and Lorraine Rita Warren (née Moran) were a husband-and-wife team who became synonymous with paranormal investigation in the 20th century. Their work blended Ed’s role as a self-taught demonologist and author with Lorraine’s claimed abilities as a clairvoyant and medium.

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• Edward "Ed" Warren Miney:
• Born: September 7, 1926, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
• Died: August 23, 2006, at the age of 79.
• Role: Demonologist and lecturer. Ed was one of the only non-ordained demonologists recognized by the Catholic Church at the time.
• Lorraine Rita Warren (née Moran):
• Born: January 31, 1927, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
• Died: April 18, 2019, at the age of 92.
• Role: Clairvoyant, medium, and trance channeler. She claimed to possess the ability to communicate with spirits.
• Key Entities & Institutions:
• Founded: The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) in 1952.
• Museum: The Warren Occult Museum, located in Monroe, Connecticut, which houses artifacts from their cases, including the infamous Annabelle doll.
• Daughter & Son-in-Law: Judy Warren and Tony Spera, who continue the legacy of NESPR and oversee the Occult Museum today.

The Warrens' investigations covered a wide spectrum of alleged paranormal activity, from simple hauntings to full-blown demonic possessions. Their most famous cases include the Amityville Horror, the Annabelle doll, and the Enfield Poltergeist, all of which served as the foundation for The Conjuring Universe film franchise, starring Patrick Wilson as Ed and Vera Farmiga as Lorraine.

The Smurl Haunting: Inside Ed and Lorraine Warren's Final Case

The Smurl family's nightmare began in the 1970s but escalated dramatically in the mid-1980s, leading them to seek the help of the renowned paranormal investigators. The case centered on Jack and Janet Smurl and their four daughters, who lived in a double-block house on Chase Street in West Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Five Disturbing Claims from The Smurl Case

The phenomena reported by the Smurl family were extreme, moving far beyond typical poltergeist activity. Their claims became a media sensation, catapulting the case into national headlines.

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1. Violent Physical Assaults: The family reported being physically attacked, dragged out of bed, and shoved down the stairs by unseen forces. Janet Smurl claimed to have been bitten and scratched.
2. Sexual Assault by an Entity: One of the most shocking claims was that Jack Smurl was sexually assaulted by a succubus-like entity, a detail that was highly publicized and contributed to the case's notoriety.
3. Demonic Apparitions: Family members, particularly Jack, claimed to have seen shadowy, malevolent figures, including a pig-like creature and an old woman.
4. Extreme Temperature Drops: The house would experience sudden, dramatic drops in temperature, a classic sign of spiritual or demonic presence according to paranormal lore.
5. Unexplained Sounds and Smells: The Smurls reported hearing loud banging, disembodied voices, and, most disturbingly, foul, sulfurous odors that they believed signaled the presence of a demon.

Ed and Lorraine Warren visited the Smurl home in 1986. Following their investigation, they concluded that the house was afflicted by a demonic infestation, possibly involving four distinct entities, with one being a powerful, ancient demon. The Warrens performed multiple exorcisms in the home, though the activity allegedly continued for a time, leading to the family moving out of the house in 1987.

Unsolved Mysteries: Why The Smurl Case Remains Controversial

While the Smurl Haunting provided a sensational final chapter for the Warrens’ public career, it remains one of their most divisive cases. The controversy stems from several key factors that fuel the ongoing debate between believers and skeptics.

The "Unsolved" Nature of the Haunting: Unlike some of their other cases where the Warrens claimed to successfully cleanse a location, the Smurl case is often cited as the one they "never really solved." The paranormal activity reportedly continued even after the Warrens' involvement and multiple attempts at exorcism. The haunting only ceased when the Smurl family finally abandoned the house on Chase Street. This lack of a definitive resolution provides ammunition for critics who question the effectiveness of their methods.

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Skepticism and Media Scrutiny: The extensive media coverage of the Smurl family made the case a lightning rod for criticism. Skeptics pointed to the lack of independent evidence, the sensational nature of the claims (especially the sexual assault), and the possibility of psychological factors, such as mass hysteria or suggestibility, influencing the family's perceptions. Local priests and even other paranormal investigators expressed doubt about the Smurls' claims, suggesting the Warrens were too quick to label the activity as "demonic."

The Lawsuit and Public Backlash: The Smurl family's story led to a book, The Haunted, and a subsequent made-for-TV movie, further increasing their visibility. However, the media attention led to public harassment and ridicule, culminating in the Smurls filing a lawsuit against a local newspaper for libel, which they eventually won. This legal battle further complicated the legacy of the case, blurring the lines between alleged paranormal activity and media exploitation.

The Legacy of The Conjuring: Last Rites and The Warrens' Future

The decision to make the Smurl Haunting the focus of The Conjuring: Last Rites ensures that this specific investigation will be cemented in public consciousness as the definitive final case of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film, which features the return of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, will likely dramatize the most terrifying aspects of the Smurl family's ordeal, including the alleged demonic assaults and the desperate attempts at an exorcism.

The Warrens' legacy, now primarily managed by their son-in-law Tony Spera, continues to thrive. The Warren Occult Museum and the New England Society for Psychic Research remain active entities, continuing to catalogue and investigate cases. While Ed and Lorraine are gone, their influence on modern horror and paranormal culture is undeniable. The Smurl case serves as a final, chilling reminder of their commitment to the belief that the forces of darkness are real, and that two ordinary people dedicated their lives to fighting them.

Ultimately, the true nature of the Smurl Haunting—whether a genuine demonic infestation or a tragic case of psychological distress—remains an unsolved mystery. It is this ambiguity, coupled with the Warrens’ unwavering conviction, that makes this final, terrifying chapter a compelling and enduring piece of paranormal history.