The True Story Behind True Haunting – The First Televised Exorcism in the U.S.
Key Takeaways
- True Haunting true story is based on a real 1971 Chicago haunting and America’s first televised exorcism.
- Edwin and Marsha Becker’s terrifying experience inspired the 2011 book and film adaptation.
The horror film True Haunting is not just fiction — it’s based on a terrifying real story from the 1970s that shocked America. The true events took place in Chicago, Illinois, where a young couple, Edwin and Marsha Becker, moved into a two-flat apartment building in 1971. What followed became one of the most famous real-life haunting cases ever documented.
A Family’s Nightmare Begins
After moving into their new home, the Beckers began to experience strange and frightening events. Household objects moved on their own, phones disconnected mysteriously, and heavy kitchen appliances were thrown without explanation. The couple also reported unexplained footsteps, cold spots, and sobbing sounds echoing through the house.
The Beckers believed that their new home was haunted by multiple spirits — including that of an old woman named Myra Verdere, a previous resident. The activity grew so intense that it started to affect not only the family but also their pets and tenants.
The First Televised Exorcism
In a desperate attempt to reclaim their home, Ed and Marsha invited a team of spiritualists, including Joseph DeLouise and Reverend William Derl-Davis, to perform an exorcism. The event took place in 1971 and was broadcast on NBC, becoming the first televised exorcism in U.S. history.
During the ritual, witnesses reported chilling phenomena — blinds shaking, curtains moving, and sudden cold gusts of air. The spirit allegedly tried to communicate through cryptic messages, adding to the mystery and fear surrounding the event.
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Aftermath and Controversy
Although the exorcism briefly quieted the activity, the Beckers claimed that the haunting continued. Eventually, they moved out of the house. Decades later, Ed Becker wrote a book titled True Haunting (2011), sharing the full story of their terrifying experience.
While many believe this haunting was real, skeptics argue that parts of the story may have been exaggerated. Still, True Haunting remains one of the most chilling and well-documented cases in American paranormal history.
Key Details:
- Real story took place in Chicago in 1971
- Featured in the first televised exorcism in the U.S.
- Based on the real experiences of Edwin and Marsha Becker
- Inspired the book True Haunting (2011) and a film adaptation
The True Haunting true story proves that sometimes, reality can be even scarier than fiction. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, this chilling case remains a haunting mystery that still fascinates paranormal investigators and horror fans today.
FAQs
Q1: Is True Haunting based on a real story?
A: Yes, True Haunting is based on the real-life story of Edwin and Marsha Becker, who experienced terrifying paranormal activity in their Chicago home in 1971.
Q2: What is special about the True Haunting case?
A: It became famous as the first televised exorcism in the U.S., aired by NBC in 1971, and inspired a book and film adaptation.
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