While O'Rourke and Dunne's deaths were undeniably unexpected and tragic the deaths of Beck and Sampson were both suffering from potentially fatal long-term illnesses. Like most rumours of curses the deaths of these cast members over a few short years is probably just a sad coincidence. Urban Legend resource Snopes.com notes that and extreme version of the rumour claims that all the major cast members are dead. We know Robins is alive and well and attending conventions. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams also seem to be alive and well. Nelson is appearing in Parenthood and Williams continues to act in film and television including a role in Private Practice.
Speaking of Poltergeists, the UK's Sun newspaper reports that a family in Coventry, England, is experiencing some major poltergeist activity of their own. Mum Lisa Manning (34) and her two children Ellie (11) and Jaydon (6) have experienced a high level of poltergeist activity.
According to Lisa, the problem started around two weeks after they moved into their council house. She told the Sun that: "Lights would flicker, or I'd hear footsteps when there was no one upstairs.”
Unfortunately the problem escalated with furniture flying across the room, cupboard doors opening and slamming and even being ripped off their hinges. She added: "It's like a horror movie. We've had so many incidents in the kitchen and Ellie's room. She's too scared to sleep there. The poltergeist has smashed her Nintendo and her TV.”
Some of the activity has even been caught on film.
Although poltergeist antics can be alarming, and can be extremely frightening for the families involved, most experts agree that poltergeist attacks are self-limiting (usually only lasting a few months) and that no real physical harm comes to the families involved.
But, the Mannings believe that in this case the poltergeist activity is causing physical harm. They believe that their two family dogs were “pushed” down the stairs. Both were badly injured, one so severely it had to be put down.
The Mannings sought help from the Church of England and the home was recently blessed. Sadly, after two weeks respite from the activity the problem returned.
Following the report in the Sun, TV psychic Derek Acorah has visited the home and attempted to clear the house of any spirits that might have been causing the activity. Specifically, Acorah believes that a spirit called Jim who passed over in 1900 has been trapped in the Manning's home. Lisa told the paper: "I feel like there's a new peace here."
Skeptics may remember the Daily Mirror and paranormal researcher Ciaran O'Keeffe's investigation into some of Derek Acorah's work on hit TV show “Most Haunted.”
Following their story on the Manning family, the Sun newspaper reported yet another case of violent paranormal activity.
Despite the impression given in movies such as Poltergeist and The Exorcist, actual physical violence of a seemingly supernatural origin is extremely rare. But Gaynor Issitt (52) says she now sleeps with 10 pillows covering her body after being repeatedly attacked in her bed by “them”.
She also claims that the ghosts she believes are tormenting her have tried to push her down stairs and set fire to her furniture. Her best friend, Lee Belton (37) claims he woke up with black eyes following a night sleeping in Ms Gaynor's Leicestershire home.
Ms Gaynor has sought the help of an unnamed paranormal investigator as she feels she can't escape whatever is causing her problems. She told the Sun: "I can't even escape them when I leave. They pester me at Asda and followed me on holiday to Lanzarote."
There seem to have been a number of poltergeist-type cases affecting British families in the news lately. In February, Jean Marc Mariole and his wife Charlotte claimed to have spent $3000 on hotels after being driven from their dream home.
Severe poltergeist cases are considered by parapsychologists to be extremely rare. A number of people coming forward with stories of such intense paranormal activity in a short space of time is very unusual.
Are poltergeist attacks REAL..and is there REALLY a curse on the Poltergeist movie franchise? What are your thoughts?
