Buzz
While most ghostly encounters might only leave you scrambling for a clean pair of underwear, not all spirits are peaceful. As we’ve seen in films like the one featuring Patrick Swayze, the deceased can sometimes find ways to influence our world. These unsettled entities, known as poltergeists, are often described as being shockingly hostile. The spectral beings on this list are the last ones you’d want lurking in your home.
10. Greyfriars Cemetery
Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Cemetery is infamous for housing a malevolent spirit. It’s the resting place of George Mackenzie, a 17th-century Scottish lawyer notorious for sentencing 18,000 adversaries of King Charles II to death, a deed that earned him the grim moniker “Bluidy Mackenzie.”
In 1999, a homeless man seeking refuge from the cold broke into the tomb. He climbed into the coffin, but things took a horrifying turn when it crumbled, covering him in the dust of the long-deceased. Terrified, he fled, leaving a dog walker who witnessed the scene convinced he had seen a ghost. However, the true hauntings were yet to begin.
Reports of strange occurrences near the tomb soon surfaced. The city council shut down the cemetery until Jan-Andrew Henderson, a local tour guide, launched an official ghost tour. Since then, 350 individuals have reported being attacked by a poltergeist near the tomb, with accounts of broken bones and 170 people fainting during the tours.
Another grave at Greyfriars might be the source of the malevolent energy. Harry Potter enthusiasts often visit the cemetery to leave notes at the grave of Thomas Riddell, the real-life inspiration for Lord Voldemort’s name. J.K. Rowling has hinted that the grave might have subconsciously influenced her naming choice—or perhaps Thomas Riddell was indeed a dark sorcerer, and Rowling knows more than she admits.
9. The Black Monk of Pontefract
In the 1970s, a modest semi-detached house in Pontefract, England, became the site of what some describe as “the most intense poltergeist activity in European history.” The entity, known as the Pontefract Poltergeist, was also referred to as the Black Monk of Pontefract, believed to be the restless soul of a monk executed in the 16th century.
The Pritchard family—Joe, Jean, and their children Philip and Diane—lived at 30 East Drive and endured a barrage of disturbances from a ghost they called “Fred.” Fred hurled objects, chilled rooms, left unexplained puddles, bit into jam sandwiches, and smeared substances on door handles. He even seemed to teleport eggs across rooms, only to smash them moments later.
Fred wasn’t just mischievous; he was downright terrifying. In one chilling episode, he allegedly dragged 12-year-old Diane upstairs by her neck, leaving visible handprints. He also attempted to strangle her with an electrical cord. The haunting drew attention from the local mayor, police, and numerous paranormal investigators and psychics.
Carol Fieldhouse, the Pritchards’ next-door neighbor, firmly believes the tales are real. Her home is connected to number 30, and Fred occasionally crosses over. Carol claims to have interacted with Fred, though he mostly glares at her menacingly. She estimates his height to be around 1.65 meters (5 ft 5 in).
Today, number 30 remains vacant, and the Black Monk prefers it that way. As Carol puts it, “He’s made it clear that anyone who moves in won’t last more than a year.”
8. The South Shields Poltergeist
Just north of Pontefract lies the town of South Shields, where a young couple and their three-year-old son faced a terrifying ordeal in the summer of 2006. While their real names remain undisclosed, they are often referred to as Marc and Marianne.
The disturbances began in December 2005, marked by the eerie rearrangements typical of poltergeist activity. Chairs were stacked, drawers shifted, and doors slammed shut. This was no ordinary ghost—it was aggressive and relentless. To make matters worse, it had a peculiar weapon: soft, plush toys.
One night, Marianne was struck on the back of her head by her son’s stuffed dog. As she turned on the lights, another toy flew toward her. The couple hid under their duvet, only to feel an unseen force trying to yank it away. Suddenly, Marc cried out in pain, revealing 13 deep scratches on his back. By morning, the marks had vanished without a trace.
Though the poltergeist demonstrated its ability to harm humans directly, it seemed fixated on using toys as its primary tools. It suspended a rocking horse from the ceiling by its reins and positioned a large stuffed rabbit at the top of the stairs, clutching a box cutter in its fluffy paws. The entity left ominous messages on the child’s whiteboard and even sent untraceable texts, often containing threats like, “You’re Dead.”
The couple’s three-year-old son occasionally vanished, only to be discovered hiding in odd places around the house, clutching his blanket. He was once found in a closet and another time beneath a plastic table. While such behavior isn’t unusual for toddlers, the parents attributed it to their unwelcome supernatural visitor.
Paranormal investigators Mike Hallowell and Darren Ritson were called in. Despite Marc’s reputation for pranks, the experts concluded the haunting was genuine. They later documented their findings in a book, which features eerie evidence like a plastic bottle balanced impossibly and a chilling message on a magnetic drawing toy: “Just go Now.”
7. The Coventry Dog Killer
A Coventry family gained attention after sharing a video online. The clip shows a wardrobe door opening and a chair sliding across the room on its own. While the footage doesn’t reveal the floor or the wardrobe’s interior, skeptics suggest strings could have been used. However, the family insists the haunting is real, questioning why anyone would stage such an elaborate hoax.
Lisa Manning, a resident of Coventry, insisted the paranormal activity was real, alleging that the poltergeist had killed the family’s otherwise healthy dog by shoving it down the stairs. To support her claims, she enlisted Derek Acorah, one of the UK’s most famous psychics. Although Acorah is known for communicating with deceased pets, this time he only interacted with the ghost.
The psychic claimed that a hostile spirit named Jim was responsible for the disturbances and performed a cleansing ritual. Manning expressed her satisfaction, stating, “It’s incredible how quickly things changed. I feel comfortable staying here now.”
6. The Indianapolis Poltergeist
In 1962, three generations of women lived together at 2910 North Delaware Street in Indianapolis. The household was led by Renate Beck, a divorcee, who shared the home with her widowed mother and teenage daughter, Linda. The trio had a strained relationship, often clashing. Their already tense dynamic was further disrupted by a series of bizarre events that began on the evening of March 11.
The first unusual event the women observed was a beer mug moving on its own and concealing itself behind a plant pot. Later, a loud crash from upstairs revealed a crystal ornament hurled from a shelf and shattered on the floor. Frightened, the trio fled to a hotel for the night. Upon returning the next afternoon, things seemed normal—until 30 minutes later, when the sound of breaking glass echoed from the kitchen. Dishes and glasses were smashing themselves, and a cup flew through the air, narrowly missing Beck’s mother, Lina Gemmeck.
The women contacted the police. Over the next two weeks, officers frequently visited the house to investigate the mysterious destruction. A paranormal expert was also brought in, who later reported being struck and bruised by a glass hurled down the hallway by an unseen force.
Mysterious bites and scratches began appearing on the women, resembling marks left by a bat. While bats do inhabit Indiana, they hibernate during winter, ruling out a natural explanation. However, no one considered the possibility of a shape-shifting vampire.
Eventually, police caught Gemmeck throwing objects and overturning furniture. She was arrested, though many claimed there were incidents she couldn’t have orchestrated. Some speculated she might have been possessed by the true culprit. A judge offered to dismiss the case if Gemmeck returned to Germany, which she agreed to do. Once she left, the paranormal activity ceased entirely.
5. The Great Amherst Mystery
On September 4, 1878, Esther Cox awoke screaming in her Amherst, Nova Scotia, bedroom. The 19-year-old shared the room with her sister Jennie and explained that she had felt a mouse beneath her mattress. The sisters lived with their older sister, her husband Daniel Teed, and Daniel’s brother John Teed.
The sisters searched the room but found no trace of a rodent. The same incident occurred the following night, with no evidence of a mouse. Then, on September 6, Esther woke up in agony, her body swollen and bright red. Loud bangs reverberated through the room, after which Esther returned to normal and fell asleep.
A few days later, the phenomenon repeated, but this time other family members heard the noise and rushed in. Esther’s bedding had been ripped from her bed and tossed around by an unseen force. John Teed attempted to help remake the bed but found himself in a struggle with the invisible entity, which even attacked him with a pillow. After several loud explosions, the room settled back to normal.
The family summoned their physician, Dr. Carritte, who stayed in the room as Esther slept. When her pillow began moving on its own, Carritte tried to hold it but was overpowered by the unseen force. During the struggle, he heard scratching and watched as a message slowly appeared on the wall, carved by an invisible hand: “Esther Cox, you are mine to kill!”
In the weeks that followed, the poltergeist started igniting small fires. It threatened to burn down the house unless Esther left, prompting her to stay at a local inn with a family friend. The poltergeist pursued her, and Esther suffered severe injuries when a pocket knife flew from the innkeeper’s son’s hand and embedded itself in her back. When the boy attempted to remove it, the knife was yanked away and stabbed her again in the same spot. The wound became infected, and Esther narrowly survived the ordeal.
After recovering, Esther met Walter Hubbell, who came up with a disastrous plan. He took her to New Brunswick and staged a show, charging audiences to witness the supernatural events. However, the poltergeist remained silent during the performances. The failed spectacle was driven out of town, forcing Esther and Hubbell to abandon their venture.
Esther later found work as a domestic helper for Arthur Davison, a local court clerk. Within months of her employment, their barn was destroyed by fire. Esther was accused of starting the blaze but claimed it was the work of her poltergeist. The judge dismissed her explanation, and she was convicted of arson.
Over time, the poltergeist’s activity diminished, eventually vanishing as mysteriously as it had appeared. Esther married twice and passed away in 1912.
4. The Jaboticabal Poltergeist
In 1965, 11-year-old Maria Jose Ferreira became the center of Brazil’s most notorious poltergeist case.
The disturbances began in her Jaboticabal home, where bricks and stones seemingly appeared out of nowhere, smashing objects. Maria’s family summoned a priest to perform an exorcism, but this only enraged the spirit, intensifying the attacks. The largest rock weighed 3.7 kilograms (8.2 lb), and some stones exhibited magnetic properties. When the rocks stopped, furniture began flying across the room.
Maria endured even more personal torment. She was slapped, bitten, and left covered in bruises. Needles mysteriously appeared embedded in her skin, with 55 once removed from a single ankle. The poltergeist suffocated her at night by holding cups over her face. The haunting followed her to school, where her clothes suddenly burst into flames in the lunchroom. After a year of torment, Maria consulted a medium.
The medium claimed Maria was being targeted by a vengeful ghost due to her past life as a witch, during which she had allegedly killed someone. The spirit vowed to haunt her for life. Tragically, Maria’s life was cut short when she poisoned herself at 16. After her death, all paranormal activity ceased.
3. Widow Ghosts
Nightmare Death Syndrome is a phenomenon linked to certain men in Thailand, who are reportedly killed in their sleep by spirits called “widow ghosts.” These entities are believed to be the restless souls of highly sexual women who died violently. Now, they seek to claim men’s souls as their eternal husbands.
In 1990, northeastern Thailand experienced widespread fear of widow ghosts. Since these spirits targeted only men, some young Thai men began wearing lipstick and nail polish to bed, hoping to deceive the ghosts into thinking they were women. The primary defense, however, involved carrying phallic symbols, often worn around the neck or placed near the sleeper.
Most of these charms were wooden carvings, ranging from simple to elaborate. Some artisans added coconut testicles and fishing net pubic hair for added realism. The villagers of Ban Thung Nang Oak took pride in their massive communal phallus, nearly a meter (3 ft) long, complete with a red-painted tip.
One creative couple built a scarecrow complete with the necessary anatomical feature and hung a sign around its neck labeling it “widow ghost hunter.” In one village, rumors spread that the ghosts had gathered enough husbands and might soon start targeting women as well.
There’s a scientific explanation for these so-called ghost attacks, which have claimed hundreds of lives over the years. Autopsies showed that the men died from malnutrition. Many survived on a diet of only sweet rice, leading to insulin overproduction and severe nutrient deficiencies. Combined with stress, these poor diets proved fatal, causing men to die in their sleep.
2. Carole Compton
Many poltergeist accounts hint that the disturbances might be unconsciously triggered by individuals with latent psychokinetic abilities. In other words, they can move objects with their minds but lack conscious control over this power. This appears to be the case with Carole Compton.
In the early 1980s, Compton worked as a nanny in Italy, but her time there was fraught with strange incidents. While with her first family, a painting suddenly fell off the wall as she passed by. She accompanied them to their Alpine holiday home, which mysteriously burned down during their stay. Back at their residence, unexplained fires began breaking out. The family ultimately dismissed her after a fire erupted in their son’s bedroom.
Compton then found employment with the Tonti family. Soon after, objects started flying around the house, and a mattress inexplicably caught fire. Despite these events, the Tontis didn’t immediately fire her—likely because they hadn’t checked her references. However, when a fire engulfed their three-year-old daughter Agnese’s room, they had Compton arrested, charging her with arson and attempted murder (fortunately, no one was injured in any of the fires).
The trial turned into a media spectacle. Public opinion painted her as a witch, a claim fueled by Agnese’s grandmother. Catholics gathered outside the courthouse, holding crucifixes, and chanted prayers. International media dubbed it a modern-day witch trial. Guy Lyon Playfair, a parapsychologist known for investigating the Enfield poltergeist, offered to assist in her defense.
The trial lasted 16 months, during which Compton remained in prison. The prosecution struggled to prove their case, as no one had seen her start any fires. It seemed that fires and falling objects simply followed her. She was eventually convicted of arson, but the attempted murder charges were dropped. The judge ruled that her 16 months in prison were sufficient punishment, and she was released.
Compton returned to the UK and authored a book about her ordeal, titled Superstition: The True Story Of The Nanny They Called A Witch.
1. Stoke Lacy’s Haunted Road
In 2002, a fence in the English village of Stoke Lacy appeared to lose a battle with a ghost. This conclusion stems from reports of 26 cars crashing into the same fence over an 18-month span, allegedly due to supernatural interference.
Several drivers described feeling their hands being yanked away from the steering wheel moments before losing control. Others claimed their wheels stopped responding entirely. Some vehicles even flipped over, yet no injuries were reported. This oddity was further compounded by the words of an enigmatic psychic.
Local councilor Richard James recounted being approached by an unfamiliar man at a pub meeting. The man, claiming to be a psychic, revealed that a woman had died in a car accident at the site in the 1930s after a struggle over the steering wheel. Her spirit now sought to replicate the incident for other drivers but vowed not to harm anyone. While this was reassuring for motorists, it spelled continued trouble for the fence.
