The Chilling True Story Behind The Conjuring: Last Rites—The Smurl Family Haunting

The Conjuring: Last Rites, set for release on September 5, 2025, is poised to be the most intense and controversial film in the long-running horror franchise, promising to close the book on the main storyline of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. This final chapter draws its chilling inspiration from one of the most infamous and heavily scrutinized cases in the Warrens' extensive files: the alleged demonic haunting of the Smurl family in West Pittston, Pennsylvania.

The film, which sees Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return for their final cinematic investigation as the iconic couple, delves into a case that captivated and divided America in the mid-1980s, featuring claims of extreme physical and sexual assault by a demonic entity. This article breaks down the factual basis, the terrifying claims, the intense media coverage, and the enduring skepticism surrounding the Smurl haunting that provides the foundation for *The Conjuring: Last Rites*.

The Life and Legacy of Ed and Lorraine Warren: Paranormal Pioneers

Ed and Lorraine Warren were the real-life foundation of *The Conjuring* Universe, dedicating their lives to investigating supernatural phenomena. The film series, including *Last Rites*, is based on their extensive case files collected over decades.

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• Ed Warren (Edward Damon Warren): Born September 7, 1926, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was a self-taught demonologist and author. He passed away on August 23, 2006.
• Lorraine Warren (Lorraine Rita Moran): Born January 31, 1927, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was a professional clairvoyant and light trance medium who claimed to be able to communicate with the spiritual world. She passed away on April 18, 2019.
• Founding Organization: In 1952, they founded the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), one of the oldest paranormal investigative groups in New England.
• Case Volume: The Warrens claimed to have investigated well over 10,000 cases during their career, many of which inspired the films in *The Conjuring* Universe.
• Most Famous Cases:
  • The Amityville Horror (1975)
  • The Annabelle Doll (1970)
  • The Perron Family Haunting (The Conjuring, 1971)
  • The Enfield Poltergeist (The Conjuring 2, 1977)
  • The Devil Made Me Do It (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, 1981)
  • The Smurl Family Haunting (*The Conjuring: Last Rites*, 1986)
• Legacy: Their work led to the creation of the Warren's Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, which houses artifacts from their investigations.

The Smurl Haunting: The Terrifying True Story Basis

The Smurl case, which the Warrens investigated in 1986, is the alleged "final" case that will be dramatized in *The Conjuring: Last Rites*. The haunting reportedly began in 1974 and continued for over a decade, terrorizing the family of Jack and Janet Smurl in their duplex home at 330 Chase Street in West Pittston, Pennsylvania.

Escalation of Demonic Activity (1974–1986)

The initial incidents were relatively mild, starting with unexplained sounds. However, the activity quickly escalated into something far more malevolent, leading the Smurls to believe they were dealing with not just a ghost, but a powerful demonic entity.

• Initial Phenomena: The family reported hearing strange scraping sounds, footsteps on the stairs, and disembodied voices. They also claimed to have seen shadowy figures and experienced extreme temperature drops.
• Physical and Sexual Assault: The most shocking and controversial claims centered on physical and sexual abuse. Jack Smurl claimed to have been sexually assaulted by a succubus-like entity on multiple occasions. Janet Smurl reported being violently thrown from her bed and physically restrained.
• Manifestations: The entities were allegedly seen by multiple family members. One manifestation was described as a large, pig-like figure with glowing red eyes. Objects were often reported to levitate and fly across rooms.
• Foul Odors: A pervasive, putrid odor, described as "rotting flesh" or "sulfur," would often accompany the most intense paranormal events.

After years of torment, the Smurl family went public with their story in 1986, which is when Ed and Lorraine Warren became involved. The Warrens, after their investigation, confirmed the presence of a "very powerful" demon that they believed was responsible for the attacks. They performed multiple exorcisms in the home, though the family claimed the entity would simply leave and then return with renewed ferocity.

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The Media Firestorm and Enduring Skepticism

The Smurl haunting became a national sensation in the mid-1980s, generating intense media coverage, including appearances on talk shows and numerous newspaper articles. This public exposure, however, brought immediate and intense skepticism, a critical element that *The Conjuring: Last Rites* is expected to explore.

The Skeptical Counter-Argument

The controversy surrounding the Smurl case is what makes it a compelling, yet difficult, story to tell. Many critics and professional skeptics offered alternative, non-supernatural explanations for the events:

• Psychological Explanations: Skeptics, including journalist Paul Kurtz, suggested that the experiences could be explained by psychological factors, such as mass hysteria, suggestion, or a shared delusion within the family.
• Lack of Evidence: Despite the Warrens' involvement and claims of collecting physical evidence, critics argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that no credible, third-party investigator was able to document the phenomena under controlled conditions.
• Publicity and Profit: The family's decision to go public led to accusations that the haunting was a hoax designed to gain media attention and profit. The Smurls later co-authored a book, *The Haunted*, and the story was adapted into a 1991 TV movie before being picked up by *The Conjuring* franchise.
• Neighbor Testimony: Adding to the controversy, the neighbors in the other half of the duplex claimed to have never experienced any unusual activity, directly contradicting the Smurls' accounts.

Why The Smurl Case is the Perfect 'Last Rites' Chapter

The choice of the Smurl haunting for the final mainline *Conjuring* film is highly strategic, offering a powerful narrative conclusion for Ed and Lorraine Warren.

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The Smurl case represents a significant turning point in the Warrens' career and public perception. It was one of their most public, most brutal, and most debated investigations. By choosing this case, *The Conjuring: Last Rites* allows the filmmakers to explore several crucial themes:

• The Cost of the Calling: The Smurl case took a heavy toll on the Smurl family and the Warrens themselves. The relentless nature of the demonic attacks and the constant media scrutiny pushed all involved to their limits. The film will likely explore the physical and emotional exhaustion of the Warrens after a lifetime of fighting malevolent forces.
• The Power of the Demon: The Smurl case is characterized by the extreme violence and sexual nature of the alleged attacks, which is a rare and terrifying feature even in the Warrens' files. This provides the franchise with its darkest, most mature, and most intense horror elements to date.
• Legacy and Doubt: The pervasive skepticism surrounding the Smurl case is a perfect narrative device to question the Warrens' legacy and the nature of their work as they face their "last rites." The film can explore how the world views their claims—as heroes or as charlatans—making the final investigation a fight not just for the family's soul, but for their own credibility.

As fans prepare for *The Conjuring: Last Rites* in 2025, they are not just bracing for another jump-scare horror film. They are preparing for a deep dive into a real-life controversy that pits faith against science, truth against delusion, and the heroic legacy of Ed and Lorraine Warren against the relentless power of skepticism and a truly terrifying demonic entity.