Lorraine Warren—who with her late husband “investigated” alleged demon-possessed houses—died at ninety-two on April 19, 2019. The couple—real names Edward Warren Miney (1926–2006) and Lorraine Rita Warren (1927–2019)—founded New England Society for Psychic Research allegedly as early as 1952. Ed would claim to be a “Demonologist”; his business card with that title appeared to represent his total qualifications. For her part, Lorraine was a self-professed “Clairvoyant” who claimed to make otherworldly contacts—with ghosts and demons, even one masquerading as a werewolf, and, on one occasion, a telepathic Bigfoot.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll
Their career developed into something of a racket, and they were labeled “charlatans” and “scaremongers.” Their modus operandi was to arrive at a reputedly haunted house that was garnering publicity. Typically, the residents would be fellow Catholics, whom the medieval-minded Warrens soon convinced were actually being plagued by demons. An “exorcism” of sorts would often be arranged, followed by a lucrative book deal and eventually a “true” Hollywoodized movie.