Ed Warren

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Lore & Background

Ed Warren was a self-taught and self-professed demonologist, author, lecturer and artist. He and his wife Lorraine were members of the Roman Catholic Church and married in 1945. On January 11, 1946, Lorraine gave birth to their daughter, Judy Warren. The Warrens believed that demonic forces were likely to possess those who lack faith. Ed died on August 23, 2006, and is buried at Stepney Cemetery in Monroe, Connecticut. Skeptics Perry DeAngelis and Steven Novella investigated the Warrens' evidence and called it 'blarney', finding common errors with flash photography and nothing evil in the artifacts the Warrens had collected. Lorraine Warren said the problem with DeAngelis and Novella was that 'they don't base anything on a God'.

In Their Own Story

In 1970, two roommates told the Warrens their Raggedy Ann doll was possessed by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle Higgins. The Warrens took the doll, telling the roommates it was 'being manipulated by an inhuman presence', and put it on display at the family's 'Occult Museum'. In 1971, the Warrens claimed the Harrisville, Rhode Island, home of the Perron family was haunted by a witch who had lived there in the early 19th century. According to the Warrens, Bathsheba Sherman sacrificed her baby son to the devil and cursed the land. In 1977, the Warrens investigated the Enfield poltergeist case, though they showed up uninvited and were refused admittance to the home. Parapsychologist Guy Lyon Playfair said Ed Warren told him they 'could make a lot of money [...] out of' the case. In 1981, the Warrens were called before Arne Johnson killed his landlord, and subsequently claimed Johnson was possessed. At trial, Johnson attempted to plead Not Guilty by Reason of Demonic Possession but was unsuccessful.

Reader's Guide

Ed Warren began his career as a self-taught demonologist, author, lecturer and artist. Alongside his wife Lorraine, he founded the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) in 1952. The NESPR uses a variety of individuals, including medical doctors, researchers, police officers, nurses, college students, and members of the clergy in its investigations. Ed's role involved traveling to distressed homes across New England to investigate reports of hauntings and demonic possessions. He utilized religious artifacts and claimed to capture evidence such as the 'White Lady' ghost at Union Cemetery on film. While Lorraine provided psychic insight as a clairvoyant and light trance medium, Ed managed the physical confrontation and ritualistic protections. He often faced direct threats from malevolent entities but remained steadfast in his duty to protect innocent families. His investigations frequently uncovered dark histories tied to specific properties or cursed objects. Over time, he accumulated a vast collection of haunted items for study and containment at the family's 'Occult Museum'. Ultimately, Ed died on August 23, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of courage and faith. Lorraine continued their shared mission after his death, ensuring the work they started would endure for future generations of investigators seeking truth in the darkness.

Did You Know?

• Ed Warren was a self-taught and self-professed demonologist, author, lecturer and artist.
• The Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) in 1952.
• Ed claimed to have investigated well over 10,000 cases during his career.
• Skeptics Perry DeAngelis and Steven Novella investigated the Warrens' evidence and called it 'blarney'.
• In 2017, Judith Penney claimed she had a 40-year sexual relationship with Ed, beginning when he was 27 and she was 15.