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Enfield Poltergeist
One of the most documented poltergeist cases ever recorded, featuring levitation, voice phenomena, and furniture movement witnessed by police, journalists, and investigators over 18 months.
August 31, 1977
Enfield, London, England
30+ witnesses
The Enfield Haunting
From August 1977 to 1978, the Hodgson family in Enfield, London experienced one of the most extensively documented poltergeist cases in history. The phenomena, witnessed by over 30 people including police and researchers, defied explanation.
The Family
The Hodgsons:
- Single mother Peggy
- Daughter Janet (11)
- Daughter Margaret (14)
- Sons Johnny and Billy
The Phenomena
Events included:
- Furniture flying
- Levitation
- Voice phenomena
- Physical marks
- Knocking sounds
Police Witness
WPC Carolyn Heeps:
- Saw chair move
- Across room
- No one near it
- Signed statement
The Investigators
Maurice Grosse and Guy Lyon Playfair:
- Investigated 18 months
- SPR researchers
- Hundreds of hours
- Extensive documentation
Janet’s Levitation
Most dramatic:
- Janet rose from bed
- Neighbors saw through window
- Multiple occasions
- Photographed
Significance
Enfield significant for:
- Duration of investigation
- Multiple witnesses
- Police involvement
- Audio/photo evidence
Legacy
The Enfield Poltergeist remains one of the most investigated paranormal cases. It inspired “The Conjuring 2” and continues to fascinate researchers worldwide.