7 Shocking Real-Life Details Of The Conjuring Story: New Owners & The Perron Family's 10-Year Nightmare

The true story behind *The Conjuring* is far more terrifying and complex than the blockbuster film series suggests. As of December 10, 2025, the infamous Harrisville, Rhode Island farmhouse—the site of the Perron family's decade-long haunting—continues to draw global attention, not just for its sinister history but for its dramatic and recent change in ownership, which promises to reignite paranormal tourism. The actual events, which began in 1971, involve a family of seven, a centuries-old property, and the controversial intervention of legendary demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, painting a chilling picture of a haunting that lasted not days, but ten agonizing years. The cinematic version, while captivating, only scratches the surface of the psychological and physical torment experienced by Roger and Carolyn Perron and their five daughters. Their ordeal is chronicled in detail by eldest daughter Andrea Perron, whose accounts provide the deepest, most authoritative look into the case, revealing a multi-generational haunting tied to the land, not just a single malevolent spirit.

The Perron Family: A Profile of the Haunted

The Perron family moved into the 14-room, 18th-century farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, in the winter of 1971. They were a typical American family seeking a quiet, rural life, unaware of the property's dark history.

• Roger Perron (Father): Initially skeptical of the haunting, he became the family's protector. He reportedly experienced fewer direct attacks than his wife and daughters, which Andrea Perron attributes to his strong, grounded nature.
• Carolyn Perron (Mother): The primary target of the most malevolent entity, Bathsheba. She suffered physical attacks, including being pinched, slapped, and allegedly possessed during a séance conducted by the Warrens. Her deteriorating health ultimately led the family to move.
• Andrea Perron (Eldest Daughter): Author of the three-volume memoir, *House of Darkness: House of Light*, which serves as the definitive source for the true story. She is the most vocal family member today, sharing her experiences in interviews and documentaries.
• Nancy Perron (Daughter): Experienced a particularly terrifying encounter with a spirit that appeared to be a young girl.
• Christine Perron (Daughter): Was the first to communicate with the spirits, reporting that a ghost named "Manny" lived in her room.
• Cindy Perron (Daughter): Often saw spirits and was reportedly the victim of a spirit that tried to enter her body.
• April Perron (Youngest Daughter): Though young, she also reported seeing and interacting with the house's spectral residents.

The family lived in the house for nearly a decade, finally moving out in 1980 because they could no longer afford to leave—the spirits had drained their finances and their strength.

The Real Bathsheba Sherman: History vs. Hollywood

The central villain of *The Conjuring* film is the witch Bathsheba Sherman. While she was a real historical figure, the horrific details of her life and death are largely a blend of local folklore and cinematic embellishment.

Bathsheba Thayer was born in 1812 and married Judson Sherman in 1844. She lived on a neighboring farm in the mid-1800s, not the actual Perron farmhouse, though the properties were closely connected.

The core of the legend is that Bathsheba was rumored to be a witch who sacrificed an infant to the Devil and then hanged herself in the rafters of the barn. This curse, the legend suggests, caused anyone who lived in the home to meet a terrible end. However, historical records do not support this narrative. Bathsheba died in 1885 at the age of 73, and her death certificate lists the cause as "paralysis," not suicide.

The Perron family's experience with the entity they called Bathsheba was nonetheless terrifying. Andrea Perron has described the spirit as a deeply malevolent presence that specifically targeted her mother, Carolyn. The spirit was said to have a foul odor of decaying flesh, and its presence was often accompanied by a drastic drop in temperature and the sound of a rattling chain.

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The entity's goal, according to the Warrens, was to possess the mother and drive the family out. The most infamous event, which is portrayed in the movie, was a séance conducted by the Warrens that allegedly resulted in Carolyn becoming possessed and speaking in an unknown language before being violently thrown across the room.

Ed and Lorraine Warren: The Controversial Intervention

The involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren is where the true story becomes a subject of intense debate among paranormal investigators, skeptics, and the Perron family themselves.

The Warrens' Role: Ed and Lorraine Warren, the famous demonologists and founders of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), were called to the farmhouse in 1974. They spent a short period investigating the property, concluding that it was infested by a demonic entity. Their presence, however, did not bring peace.

The Infamous Séance: The Warrens' investigation peaked with a controversial séance, which culminated in the alleged possession of Carolyn Perron. Roger Perron, the father, grew increasingly angry with the Warrens' sensationalist methods and felt their presence only amplified the haunting. He eventually demanded they leave the property.

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A Family Divided: While the movie portrays the Warrens as heroes, the Perron family's view is complex. Andrea Perron has acknowledged the Warrens' dedication but also stated that their methods were "too much" for the family and may have exacerbated the danger. Roger Perron was particularly critical, believing the Warrens were exploiting his family's misery for fame and profit, a sentiment that fuels the ongoing skepticism surrounding the Warrens' entire body of work, including the famous Annabelle doll case.

The Conjuring House Today: New Owners and a Business Future

The Harrisville farmhouse, now universally known as "The Conjuring House," has become a global tourist attraction and a hotspot for paranormal investigations. Its history as a private residence is over, having transitioned into a full-time paranormal business.

Recent Ownership Changes: The house was previously owned by Cory and Jen Heinzen, who ran it as a business for paranormal investigations and tours. However, in late 2023, the property faced a foreclosure auction, which was ultimately canceled as the mortgage was sold.

The Latest Update (2025): The most recent and significant development involves a new, high-profile owner. Land records filed in late 2025 indicate that YouTuber and paranormal investigator Elton Castee has acquired the mortgage for the infamous farmhouse. Castee, often in partnership with comedian Matt Rife, has expressed intentions to restore the property and reopen it for paranormal tours and overnight stays, following a brief shutdown.

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This transition marks a new chapter for the house, shifting it from a quiet, historical haunting site to a major commercial endeavor in the paranormal tourism industry. The new owners' plans aim to capitalize on the house's global fame, offering fans the chance to experience the very real phenomena that tormented the Perron family for a decade.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords:

Harrisville Farmhouse, Ed Warren, Lorraine Warren, Demonologists, Parapsychology, Annabelle Doll, Smurl Haunting, Enfield Poltergeist, House of Darkness House of Light, Andrea Perron, Roger Perron, Carolyn Perron, Bathsheba Sherman, Haunted House, Paranormal Investigation, Demonic Possession, New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), The Conjuring Universe, James Wan, Tony DeRosa-Grund, Burrillville Rhode Island, Occult Museum, Elton Castee, Matt Rife.