The Chilling True Story Behind 'The Conjuring': What Happened To The Perron Family And The House In 2024?
The Conjuring, a film that redefined modern horror, is famously based on the case files of self-proclaimed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. However, the terrifying events depicted on screen are only a heavily dramatized version of a decade-long ordeal experienced by the Perron family in a secluded farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, starting in 1971. This true story is not a simple tale of a quick exorcism, but a prolonged psychological and physical torment that continues to spark debate and new revelations even in late December 2025.
The real case, known as the "Harrisville Haunting," is one of the most documented and controversial paranormal investigations in history, featuring multiple spirits, a terrifying séance, and a house that has recently faced a flurry of legal and financial drama, culminating in significant 2024 updates that have shut down public access to the notorious property.
The Perron Family Haunting: A Decade of Terror (1971–1980)
The true story of The Conjuring centers on the Perron family, who moved into the Arnold Estate, a sprawling, 14-room farmhouse built in 1736, in 1971. Roger and Carolyn Perron, along with their five daughters—Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April—soon realized they were not alone. Their experiences were not a short, intense nightmare like the movie, but a slow, escalating terror that lasted for ten years.
The Perron Family and Ed & Lorraine Warren
- Roger Perron: The father, initially skeptical, who witnessed many of the terrifying events.
- Carolyn Perron: The mother, who became the primary target of the most malevolent entity.
- Andrea Perron: The eldest daughter, who later authored the book trilogy House of Darkness, House of Light, detailing the family’s experiences.
- Ed Warren (1926–2006): A self-taught demonologist, one of the first in the US.
- Lorraine Warren (1927–2019): A clairvoyant and medium who claimed to be able to communicate with the entities.
The family reported numerous unsettling occurrences: beds levitating, doors slamming, objects moving, and the pervasive smell of rotting flesh. The five daughters claimed to see and interact with multiple spirits, some benign, like a young girl named "Prudence" and a man who would kiss them goodnight, and others overtly hostile.
The Warrens arrived at the house in 1973. While the film portrays them as heroes who quickly resolved the issue with an exorcism, the reality was different. The Warrens’ investigation only intensified the activity, culminating in the most famous and frightening event of the true story: the séance.
Fact vs. Fiction: The Shocking Differences Between the Film and Reality
While director James Wan’s film is a masterclass in horror, it takes significant liberties with the historical record. Understanding the differences is key to appreciating the true complexity of the Perron case and the Warrens' controversial methods.
The Real Bathsheba Sherman: Not a Witch
The central villain of the 2013 film is the demonic spirit of Bathsheba Sherman, a woman who allegedly lived on the property in the 19th century, was accused of witchcraft, and sacrificed her child to the devil before hanging herself. The film's portrayal is almost entirely fictionalized.
- Movie Fiction: Bathsheba was a Satan-worshipping witch who cursed the land.
- Historical Fact: The real Bathsheba Sherman (1812–1885) was a historical resident of Harrisville, Rhode Island, but she never lived in the Perron farmhouse, nor was she proven to be a witch. She was married to Judson Sherman and died of paralysis in 1885. There is no documented evidence that she murdered a child or committed suicide. The Perron family's research, and the documentary Bathsheba: Search for Evil, suggest she was a real person who simply got a "bad rap" in local lore.
Exorcism vs. Séance: The Real Climax
The most dramatic divergence is the film's climax, which depicts Ed Warren performing an intense exorcism to save Carolyn Perron.
- Movie Fiction: The Warrens perform a successful, last-minute exorcism.
- True Story: Ed Warren was not a licensed exorcist, and the Catholic Church does not permit laypeople to perform exorcisms. The real climax of the Warrens’ involvement was a terrifying séance held in the house. During this event, Carolyn Perron was allegedly possessed, speaking in an unknown language and contorting her body. This event was so traumatic that Roger Perron, concerned for his wife’s psychological well-being, demanded the Warrens leave the property.
Despite the Warrens' departure, the haunting did not stop. The Perron family was forced to live with the entities for another seven years, finally saving enough money to move out in 1980.
The Conjuring House Today: The Latest 2024 Updates
The farmhouse, known as the "Conjuring House," located at 1677 Round Top Road, has become a paranormal tourism hotspot. However, the property has been subjected to significant turmoil and change in the last two years, providing the most current and recent update on the story.
In 2022, the house was purchased by paranormal investigator and entrepreneur Jacqueline Nuñez for $1.5 million. Nuñez continued the tradition of offering ghost tours, overnight stays, and group investigations, attracting enthusiasts from around the world to the Arnold Estate.
However, the property’s future was thrown into chaos in 2024:
- Foreclosure and Sale: The house was scheduled for a foreclosure auction in late 2024 after Nuñez faced legal and financial troubles related to the property’s mortgage. The mortgage was sold, and the property was set to be auctioned on Halloween.
- Permanent Closure to Tours (December 2024): In a critical late-2024 development, the Burrillville Town Council became involved due to ongoing complaints about traffic, noise, and the constant stream of visitors. The council ultimately confirmed in December 2024 that the house would be permanently closed to all public tours and paranormal investigations.
- New Ownership and Status: While the foreclosure auction was eventually canceled after a buyer reportedly snapped up the dwelling, the legal and council actions mean the days of easy access to the famous "Conjuring House" are over. The new owners are now required to maintain the property as a private residence, effectively ending its run as a commercial paranormal attraction.
The Lasting Legacy and Topical Authority
The Perron family haunting is just one of the many cases tied to the Warrens' legacy, which also includes the Amityville Horror and the Enfield Poltergeist (the basis for The Conjuring 2). The case’s enduring power lies in the fact that the Perron family, particularly Andrea Perron, has consistently maintained the truth of their terrifying experiences, providing a detailed, first-hand account that goes far beyond the Hollywood version.
The story serves as a cornerstone of modern paranormal investigation, involving key entities like the Spiritualist movement, the Diocese of Providence (who were consulted by the Warrens), and the concept of residual haunting versus intelligent haunting. The Arnold Estate remains a symbol of genuine, decade-long psychological horror, a true story that is arguably more unsettling than its blockbuster adaptation. The 2024 closure of the house to the public marks the end of an era for the site, returning the property to a state of private mystery, but doing little to quell the public's fascination with the chilling events that took place there.
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