The True Story Behind The Conjuring: 7 Chilling Facts About The Perron Family Haunting And What Happened To The House Today

The 2013 horror film *The Conjuring* is not a work of pure fiction; it is loosely based on one of the most famous and disturbing paranormal cases investigated by demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. As of December 2025, the real-life story of the Perron family haunting—which took place in a secluded Rhode Island farmhouse in the early 1970s—continues to captivate and terrify a new generation, especially with the upcoming final film in the main series, *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, drawing attention back to the Warrens' legacy. This article delves into the chilling facts of the original case, separates the movie's fiction from the historical truth, and reveals the latest updates on the infamous "Conjuring House" and its current owners. The true story centers on the experiences of the Perron family—Roger, Carolyn, and their five daughters—who moved into the historic Arnold Estate, also known as Old Brook Farm, in 1971, only to be immediately confronted by a series of increasingly malevolent supernatural events. While the film took significant liberties for dramatic effect, the core claims of a demonic presence terrorizing the family remain a central and highly debated part of paranormal history.

The Real-Life Biography of The Perron Family and The Warrens

The true events of *The Conjuring* revolve around two families: the victims and the investigators.

The Perron Family

• Father: Roger Perron
• Mother: Carolyn Perron (Died: April 2013)
• Daughters (in order of age):
  • Andrea Perron (Author of the book series *House of Darkness, House of Light*)
  • Nancy Perron
  • Christine Perron
  • Cindy Perron
  • April Perron
• The Haunting Location: The Arnold Estate (Old Brook Farm) at 1677 Round Top Road, Burrillville, Rhode Island.
• Time Period of Haunting: 1971–1980.

The Warrens (Paranormal Investigators)

• Ed Warren (Edward Davis Warren): (Born: 1926, Died: 2006) – Self-taught demonologist, author, and lecturer.
• Lorraine Warren (Lorraine Rita Warren): (Born: 1927, Died: 2019) – Self-proclaimed clairvoyant and light trance medium.
• Organization: Founders of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) in 1952.
• Other Famous Cases: The Amityville Horror, The Annabelle Doll, The Smurl Haunting (basis for *The Conjuring: Last Rites*), and The Enfield Poltergeist.

The Perron Family Haunting: Fact vs. Fiction

The movie, directed by James Wan, successfully captured the terrifying atmosphere of the Perron family's ordeal, but it compressed a decade of events into a few months and greatly exaggerated certain scenes. The real story, however, is chilling in its own right.

1. The Haunting Lasted Nearly a Decade, Not Weeks

In the film, the haunting is a rapid descent into terror, culminating in a dramatic exorcism attempt. In reality, the Perron family lived in the house from 1971 to 1980, enduring nearly ten years of paranormal activity before they finally sold the property. The events were a slow burn, starting with minor disturbances and escalating over time.

2. The Identity of the Main Spirit: Bathsheba Sherman

The central antagonist in the film is the malevolent spirit of a witch named Bathsheba Sherman, who supposedly lived on the property in the 19th century and sacrificed her child to the devil. While a real Bathsheba Sherman did live in the area in the 1800s, there is no historical evidence that she was a witch, murdered her child, or was a Satanist. The Perron daughters, however, did believe the spirit haunting their mother, Carolyn Perron, identified itself as Bathsheba.

3. The Real-Life Attacks on Carolyn Perron

The most terrifying aspects of the haunting centered on Carolyn Perron. The family claimed that the spirit of Bathsheba was trying to possess her. In one instance, Carolyn allegedly felt a cold, sharp pain in her leg, and when she looked, she saw a puncture wound that bled. This event is often cited as the most physical attack on the mother, leading the family to believe the entity was actively trying to harm her.

4. The Warrens’ Involvement Was Controversial

The film portrays the Warrens as heroic saviors. The reality is more complicated. The Warrens began their investigation in 1973. Andrea Perron, the eldest daughter, has stated that while the Warrens were involved, their intervention may have made the situation worse. The most dramatic event of their investigation was a séance they conducted in the house, during which Carolyn Perron allegedly became briefly possessed, speaking in a foreign language and levitating. Roger Perron, the father, was so disturbed by this event that he ordered the Warrens to leave the house.

The Conjuring House Today: New Owners and New Hauntings

The Old Brook Farmhouse, a 10-room colonial built in 1736, remains a source of intense paranormal interest. The latest updates about the property confirm its continued status as one of the world's most famous haunted locations.

The Heinzen Family’s Terrifying Experience

In June 2019, paranormal investigators Cory and Jennifer Heinzen purchased the house, intending to restore it and open it for tours and overnight stays. This was a major news story, as the house had been privately owned for years. The Heinzens quickly confirmed that the house was, indeed, still haunted. They reported experiencing a variety of phenomena, including footsteps, doors opening and closing, and disembodied voices. Cory Heinzen described the house as an "absolute nightmare" and "still very active".

The House Goes Up For Auction

In a major development, the house was put up for auction in late 2021, with the bidding starting at $1.2 million. This move opened the door for a new chapter of ownership. The house was eventually purchased by Jacqueline Nunez, a Boston-based real estate developer and paranormal investigator, who has continued to embrace its haunted reputation by offering tours and live streams.

The Broader Conjuring Universe: The Smurl Haunting

To maintain topical authority and provide the most current information, it is important to note that the Warrens' legacy extends far beyond the Perron case. The upcoming film, *The Conjuring: Last Rites* (scheduled for 2025), is reportedly based on the Smurl Haunting. This case involved Janet and Jack Smurl, a Pennsylvania family who claimed a demonic presence terrorized their home in the 1980s, an investigation that also featured the involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren. This demonstrates that the true story behind *The Conjuring* is not just one event, but a collection of the Warrens’ most controversial and sensational cases. The true story of the Perron family haunting is a chilling example of how real-life events can be transformed into cinematic horror. While the movie amplified the terror, the core story of a family tormented by unseen forces in an old farmhouse remains a powerful and unsettling piece of paranormal history, a legacy that continues to be explored by new owners and the ongoing *Conjuring* franchise.