Buzz
Sleepwalking is a phenomenon most people recognize. Many of us have likely experienced it at some point in our lives. Generally harmless and sporadic, it’s a common occurrence. However, for some individuals, sleepwalking can become a source of fear. Some endure it nightly, anxious about their actions while asleep, while others are deeply affected by a single traumatic episode. Dive deeper to uncover the hidden sleepwalker within you.
10. Kenneth Parks
One of the most notorious cases of sleepwalking crime involves Kenneth Parks, a Canadian man. In his 20s, Parks developed insomnia following job loss and mounting debt from gambling. On May 23, 1987, he rose from bed, drove 14 miles to his in-laws' home, and tragically ended his mother-in-law’s life while injuring his father-in-law with a tire iron and knife. Afterward, he drove to a police station and surrendered. Despite having a good relationship with his in-laws and his wife confirming his lack of motive, Parks was acquitted the following year.
9. Unnamed Australian Woman
An Australian woman in her middle years, whose identity remains confidential, struggled with severe sleepwalking episodes. Initially, neither she nor her partner were aware of the issue. However, the situation escalated into something far more alarming than typical sleepwalking. She would leave her home while asleep and engage in sexual activities with strangers. This went on for months without their knowledge, with condoms discovered around their house serving as the first clue. The full extent of her actions became clear when her partner woke one night to find her missing. After a search, he discovered her asleep and in the act with a stranger. This behavior posed significant risks to both her and her partner. Fortunately, she has since received successful treatment for her condition.
8. Timothy Brueggeman
Timothy Brueggeman, a resident of Northern Wisconsin, stands out on this list as someone without a history of sleepwalking but who battled severe insomnia for years. One summer, he crashed his pickup truck into a tree after dozing off while driving. Following this accident, he was prescribed Ambien, the leading sleep aid in the US. Despite its association with numerous sleepwalking incidents, the drug's manufacturers assert its safety when used as directed. Tragically, in January 2009, Brueggeman experienced a sleepwalking episode, leaving his home in only his underwear. He was discovered dead the next day, having succumbed to freezing temperatures.
7. James Currens
James Currens, a lifelong sleepwalker, faced his most harrowing experience at the age of 77. In 1998, he sleepwalked out of his house, cane in hand, and wandered into a nearby pond. Awakening chest-deep in water, he found himself trapped in the mud. The situation turned even more terrifying when he realized he was surrounded by alligators. Using his cane to fend them off, he shouted for help. A neighbor heard his cries and alerted the police, who used lights to scare away the alligators and rescue Currens. He escaped with only minor injuries from his fall into the pond.
6. Jules Lowe
In 2003, Edward Lowe, aged 83, was discovered dead in his garden, having suffered a brutal beating. A neighbor noticed Edward’s body in the driveway and alerted the police, who subsequently arrested his son, Jules. The two had been drinking heavily the night of the incident. Jules claimed his family had a history of sleepwalking, which was triggered by alcohol. He admitted to killing his father but insisted it happened while he was asleep. Edward was known to become violent when drunk, suggesting Jules might have acted in self-defense. Jules was ultimately acquitted of murder.
In a parallel case, Stephen Reitz was charged with killing his girlfriend of 10 months, Eva Marie Weinfurtner, during a vacation in Catalina. Eva sustained a fractured skull, broken elbow, wrist, shoulder, and jaw, along with a stab wound to the neck. Reitz told authorities he had been dreaming about fighting intruders when he attacked his girlfriend. He also confessed to consuming alcohol and cocaine that night. Reitz was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
5. Jan Luedecke
Jan Luedecke, a Toronto resident, attended a party in 2005. After consuming a significant amount of alcohol, he fell asleep on a couch. Hours later, he was abruptly awakened by an unfamiliar partygoer yelling and shoving him. Luedecke, 33, claimed he only became fully conscious when he was pushed to the floor. He was accused of raping the woman but maintained he was asleep and unaware of any sexual activity until he noticed he was wearing a condom in the bathroom. Initially, the courts doubted his defense, despite testimony from Dr. Colin Shapiro, who confirmed the legitimacy of sexsomnia. The case took a turn when four of Luedecke’s former girlfriends testified to experiencing his sleep-related behavior firsthand during their relationships.
4. Unnamed 15 Year Old
In Dulwich, England, a man walking home at 2am spotted something alarming: a girl lying atop a dormant crane. He immediately contacted emergency services. Upon arrival, a firefighter climbed up and discovered the girl was asleep, complicating the rescue. Fearful of startling her and causing a fall, the firefighter searched her and found her mobile phone. He called her parents, who explained their 15-year-old daughter frequently sleepwalked. They then called her phone, waking her up. The girl was safely brought down after having climbed 130 feet vertically and 40 feet horizontally.
3. Robert Ledru
Robert Ledru, a renowned 19th-century French detective, was stationed in Le Havre when his Paris office requested his assistance with a challenging murder case. The victim, Andre Monet, had been shot dead on a local beach. The only evidence was a common bullet and the killer’s footprints. Upon examining the prints, Ledru made a shocking discovery: the killer was missing the big toe on their right foot—a trait he shared. Adding to the suspicion, Ledru’s socks were wet that morning, and the bullet matched the type he used. He concluded that he had committed the murder while sleepwalking, likely triggered by his syphilis.
The French police were skeptical of Ledru’s confession and conducted an experiment. They confined him overnight for observation. On the first night, he sleepwalked as claimed. The next night, they placed a gun in his cell, and he fired at guards while asleep. Concluding he couldn’t be held accountable but posed a danger, they exiled him to a rural farm. There, he spent the remaining 50 years of his life under the care of guards and nurses.
2. Stuart Miller
Sleepwalking occurs more frequently in children than adults, affecting around 17% of kids aged 4-8, compared to 4-10% of adults. Stuart Miller was just 8 years old when a sleepwalking incident changed his life. In September 1993, while sleepwalking in his fourth-floor council flat, he fell from his bedroom window. The courts ruled that Reading Borough Council, the property owner, was at fault for not installing childproof windows. The fall caused severe spinal injuries, leaving Stuart permanently wheelchair-bound. After a seven-year legal battle, he was awarded £1.35 million ($2 million) in compensation.
1. Lesley Cusack
Lesley Cusack, a 55-year-old from Cheshire, England, suffers from sleep-eating, a condition far more hazardous than it sounds. To counteract her nighttime eating habits, which can consume up to 2,500 calories, she has altered her daytime diet and joined a gym. Beyond overeating, Lesley also sleep-cooks using a gas oven, posing a serious fire risk. Additionally, she sometimes consumes non-food items like vaseline, paint, and washing powder. Despite installing door alarms to wake herself, they’ve proven ineffective. Lesley is now seeking help from a specialist to address her condition.
