7 Terrifying Facts About The Smurl Family Haunting That Inspired 'The Conjuring: Last Rites'

The Smurl Family Haunting remains one of the most controversial and terrifying alleged cases of demonic possession in American history. As of December 2025, the decades-old nightmare is receiving a massive resurgence of public interest, primarily due to the announcement that the upcoming film, *The Conjuring: Last Rites*, will be based on their harrowing, decade-long experience in West Pittston, Pennsylvania. The original events, which began in the mid-1970s and escalated into a national media sensation, involved claims of physical assault, sexual abuse by an alleged succubus, and an investigation by the famous paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren. This deep dive uncovers the most shocking details, the complete family biography, and the stark contrast between the believers' testimony and the skeptics' scientific analysis.

The story of the Smurls is a classic tale of a quiet, working-class family thrust into a spotlight they never wanted, forced to battle what they believed to be four distinct demonic entities. From unexplained noises and strange odors to full-blown physical attacks, the saga of 330 Chase Street has defined modern paranormal lore, leaving a legacy of fear and fervent debate that continues to this day.

The Smurl Family: A Complete Biography and Timeline of Terror

The Smurl family consisted of John "Jack" Smurl, his wife Janet Smurl, and their four daughters: Heather, Dawn, Shannon, and Carin. They were a typical family until a devastating natural disaster forced them into a new home that would become their prison.

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• John "Jack" Smurl (Patriarch): Born December 19, 1942. Jack was a veteran and a former prisoner of war. He was the primary target of the alleged physical and sexual assaults by the demonic entity. Jack passed away in 2017 at the age of 75 after a long battle with diabetes.
• Janet Smurl (Matriarch): Janet, along with Jack, was the main source of the terrifying claims. She reported being sexually assaulted by the alleged demon. She and her daughters have since moved and reportedly live near the West Pittston area, experiencing no further paranormal activity.
• The Daughters: Heather, Dawn, Shannon, and Carin. The four sisters were also present during the haunting and have consulted with the director of the upcoming *The Conjuring: Last Rites* film.
• The Neighbors: Jack's parents, John Smurl Sr. and Mary Smurl, lived in the other half of the duplex at 330 Chase Street, and they also reported experiencing strange phenomena.

The family's nightmare began after they relocated to the double-block home on 330 Chase Street in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, in August 1973. Their previous residence in Wilkes-Barre had been destroyed by flooding during Hurricane Agnes in 1972.

The Escalation of the West Pittston Haunting

The initial events were minor, typical of a classic ghost story. The family reported hearing strange footsteps, seeing shadows, and experiencing odd temperature drops. However, the activity quickly escalated into something far more sinister and violent, moving beyond simple poltergeist activity into what the family described as demonic possession.

The Four Entities and the Succubus Claim

When the Smurls finally reached out to the Catholic Church and, later, to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in the mid-1980s, the Warrens determined that the house was infested by not one, but four entities.

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The Warrens claimed the infestation consisted of one major demon and three lesser spirits. The demon was described as being responsible for the most extreme and disturbing acts. The most shocking and controversial claim was the sexual assault of both Jack and Janet Smurl. The entity responsible for this was identified by the Warrens as a succubus, a female demon believed to prey on men, though the Warrens also stated it assaulted Janet. The Smurls described the entity as a grotesque, shadowy figure.

Other terrifying claims included:

• Physical Assault: Jack Smurl claimed he was physically thrown down a flight of stairs.
• Objects Moving: Items would fly off shelves, and a television set was allegedly ripped from the wall.
• Vile Odors: The family reported a nauseating, sulfurous smell that would appear and disappear without explanation.
• Auditory Phenomena: Unexplained pig-like squealing and guttural growls were reportedly heard throughout the house.

The Media Frenzy and the Skeptical Counter-Narrative

The Smurl family's decision to go public with their story in 1986 turned their private hell into a national media spectacle. They appeared on numerous talk shows, and the case was dubbed "Pennsylvania's Amityville Horror." The intense public scrutiny led to the 1988 bestseller *The Haunted*, by Robert Curran, and a 1991 television movie of the same name.

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However, the media attention also brought a wave of skepticism. Critics and scientific investigators offered alternative, non-supernatural explanations for the Smurls' experiences, suggesting the haunting was a case of mass hysteria or psychological phenomena.

The Paul Kurtz Investigation

The most prominent skeptic in the case was journalist and philosopher Paul Kurtz, a key figure in the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) and a professor at the State University of New York Buffalo. Kurtz and his team conducted their own investigation, suggesting that the entire phenomenon could be explained by psychological factors.

One of the most compelling points raised by skeptics involved Jack Smurl's health. In 1983, Jack underwent surgery to remove water from his brain. Skeptics posited that this medical condition or the subsequent recovery could have contributed to hallucinations or other neurological issues that manifested as paranormal events. Kurtz also attributed the strange odors to natural phenomena, not a demon.

The Smurl Legacy and 'The Conjuring: Last Rites'

After multiple failed exorcisms and years of torment, the Smurl family finally moved out of the 330 Chase Street home in 1987. They reported that the paranormal activity ceased entirely once they left the property, which is often cited by believers as proof that the haunting was tied specifically to the house.

The final chapter of the Smurl story is being written in Hollywood. The case is the inspiration for the eighth film in *The Conjuring* universe, *The Conjuring: Last Rites*. The film's use of the Smurl case ensures that the details of the West Pittston haunting—the demonic possession, the succubus, and the controversial Warren investigation—will be introduced to a new generation. The director's decision to consult with the four Smurl sisters adds a layer of authenticity and topical authority, promising a fresh, yet terrifying, look at one of the most documented and debated paranormal cases in history.

The Smurl family's account remains a powerful example of the divide between faith and science. For believers, the sheer volume of claims, the alleged physical evidence, and the involvement of the Warrens make it an undeniable case of demonic terror. For skeptics, it serves as a cautionary tale about the power of suggestion and mass hysteria in the face of the unexplained. Regardless of one's perspective, the Smurl haunting is a dark cornerstone of paranormal lore that continues to captivate and terrify.