The Perron Family Haunting
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The Morbid podcast episode 'The Perron Family Haunting' dives into the real-life events that inspired The Conjuring film, focusing on the Perrin family's terrifying experiences in a 1736 colonial farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island. The story begins with Roger and Carolyn Perrin's idyllic Catholic wedding in 1957 and their move to a new home in 1964, only to face a series of escalating supernatural events after relocating to the rural property in 1971. The haunting begins subtly with strange noises, unexplained feelings of being watched, and a traumatic incident involving the family’s dog, Bathsheba. As the family grows increasingly unsettled—especially after a young girl is assaulted on the school playground and the house is broken into—Carolyn becomes convinced the home is haunted. Despite her husband Roger’s skepticism and refusal to believe her, the children report terrifying encounters: a grotesque woman emerging from a bureau, a scythe thrown from the hayloft, a wire coat hanger striking Carolyn, and a foul-smelling 'paranormal fart cloud' that sickens one daughter. The family eventually seeks help from paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who conduct a chaotic, theatrical exorcism that alienates Roger and ends in violence. Though the activity lessens, the family remains traumatized, living in the house for nearly a decade before finally moving out in 1980. The episode explores the lasting impact on the family, the mythologizing of the house, and the controversial legacy of the Warrens, while reflecting on the psychological toll of isolation, disbelief, and the search for truth in the face of the unexplainable. The hosts, Ash and Alayna, blend humor and horror, sharing personal anecdotes and pop culture references while honoring the gravity of the Perrin family’s ordeal.
The Perron family haunting is the real-life inspiration behind The Conjuring movie, with many events directly mirrored in the film.
Carolyn Perrin’s persistent belief in the haunting was dismissed by her husband Roger, creating deep emotional rifts and amplifying her trauma.
The house’s history as the former home of Bathsheba Sherman—a woman accused of witchcraft and child sacrifice—became central to the family’s explanation of the haunting.
The involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren turned the family’s private ordeal into a public spectacle, with long-term consequences including harassment and media attention.
Despite the Warrens’ intervention, the family never fully felt safe, and the haunting persisted for over a decade.
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Opening Banter & Show Teasers
The episode opens with hosts Ash and Alayna sharing lighthearted, chaotic banter about soy sauce, fidget toys, and wedding music, including a humorous dig at John’s alleged eye contact with Hilary Duff. They promote their book 'The Butcher Legacy', upcoming live show at Radio City Music Hall, and tease the episode’s focus on the Perron family haunting.
The Perron Wedding & Early Life
The narrative shifts to the 1957 Catholic wedding of Roger and Carolyn Perrin. The episode details their contrasting religious backgrounds—Roger’s devout Catholic upbringing versus Carolyn’s secular childhood—and how she embraced Catholicism to please her mother-in-law. The family grows rapidly, with five daughters born in quick succession, and they move to Cumberland, Rhode Island, where their early life is described as idyllic.
Tragedy & the First Signs of Trouble
The idyll shatters in 1970 with the tragic death of the family dog, Bathsheba, hit by a car after being startled by a speeding car of teenagers. The incident deeply traumatizes eldest daughter Andrea, who feels responsible. This is followed by a surge in juvenile crime in Cumberland, including a reported attempted sexual assault at the school, and a home break-in—signs that the community is unraveling.
The Move to Harrisville & the House of Secrets
Carolyn, overwhelmed by the trauma and the deteriorating neighborhood, decides to move to a rural farmhouse in Harrisville. She discovers the property in a newspaper and impulsively schedules a showing. Despite Roger’s financial objections, she buys the house. The groundskeeper’s cryptic advice—'Leave the lights on at night'—and the house’s eerie creaks and groans set the tone for the haunting to come.
The Haunting Begins: Voices, Visions, and Vile Smells
After moving in, Carolyn and the girls begin experiencing unexplained noises, cold spots, and the sensation of being watched. April reports hearing 'shit going crazy' upstairs. Later, Carolyn feels a heavy, oppressive presence in the house. The girls share their experiences, and Cynthia encounters a smoky, foul-smelling apparition that causes her to collapse with exhaustion. The house becomes a place of fear and isolation.
“Bathsheba copped the blame for everything evil and it simply wasn't the case.”
“Do you realize you're being played by a pair of two-bit charlatans?”
“Leave the lights on at night. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
Hosts
Carolyn Perrin
person
Roger Perrin
person
Harrisville
place
Andrea Perrin
person
Cumberland
place
Bathsheba Sherman
person
Lorraine Warren
person
Ed Warren
person
The Conjuring
media
John
person
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