Wolverhampton family claim home is haunted as they report shoes moving, missing knives and death threats
Members of a Wolverhampton family claim they have been terrorised by physical violence and death threats from beyond the grave – and their story will be told on TV this weekend.
Chris Smith and his family, who live in Pendeford, say they have been haunted by strange goings-on for years without any apparent reason.
Mr Smith claims shoes would move across the room, knives would vanish from their place in the kitchen and doors would open and shut by themselves.
He says these were the early signs that there was something untoward in their house in Clematis Drive. He added that things became increasingly terrifying when an invisible entity allegedly attempted to strangle his wife Fran.
The family say they have become so concerned for their safety that they decided to call in the team from TV’s popular ‘Help! My House is Haunted’ series.
Mr Smith said: “It sounds far-fetched but it’s true, and people will be able to watch our ordeal on TV in Friday’s episode of the show.
“When I first started to notice that things were not right I thought it was just a presence letting everyone know it was there. It didn’t seem malevolent to start with. But gradually things became more sinister. I’ve felt surrounded by spirits quite often throughout my life, but nothing as intense as this. It really shook me up.”
Daughter Claire, who had a spell as a psychic investigator, was also aware of things not being right. But Mr Smith said when son Craig and wife Fran were 'attacked' it was clear to him that professional intervention was needed.
He claims both of them were grabbed round the throat and were being choked, but managed to fight their way free.
The team of experts – psychic medium and ordained exorcist Ian Lawman, paranormal researcher and historian Jayne Harris and technical wizard Barri Ghai – spent several days and nights at the house.
“What they unearthed is truly sensational and hard to believe. People won’t believe their eyes and ears when they see it,” added Chris.
“Ian Lawman is one of the best – if not the best – psychic mediums in the country. Jayne and Barry used specialist equipment and heard voices issue crystal-clear death threats to the whole family. During their stay they found enough material to make two episodes for the series but have managed to condense it and the finale is nothing short of sensational.
“Make no mistake – this is not simply a ‘things that go bump in the night’ tale. It is a genuine story of haunting and possession which might so easily have ended in tragedy.”
Local councillor Adam Collinge said: “People will always have different opinions whether you are a believer or a sceptic – but you can pretty much guarantee this story will get people talking. From what I have heard, some of the incidents sound pretty scary and not for the faint-hearted.
“Mysteries and tales of the unexplained can take many forms – and for once, I am not referring to questionable council budget management. Hauntings are no exception and Pendeford now appears to have its very own ghost story. Who knows how far afield people will be talking about this in years to come?”
Fellow Oxley councillor Clare Simm said: “Since becoming a councillor in 2018, this is the first time I’ve heard of us having a haunted house in the ward. Normally, the only experience I have of spirits are the ones you find behind a bar. That said, I hope that all our residents continue to feel safe in their homes, from threats both seen and unseen.”
The episode documenting the Smith family’s terrifying experience will be streamed on the Discovery+ channel this Friday.
