Was the most credible case of paranormal power the result of physical abuse?
People & Blogs
Introduction
In February 1983, a series of bizarre events unfolded in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, surrounding a young man named Don Decker. These events were so strange that only the testimony of nine people—including police officers and a jail warden—has lent credibility to the tale. What transpired during and after Don's grandfather's funeral would lead to questions about paranormal activity and unresolved trauma from past abuse.
The Funeral and its Aftermath
On February 24th, Don Decker, aged 21, attended his grandfather’s funeral despite being in jail for receiving stolen property. He had been granted a furlough to attend the service. As Don entered the funeral home, he was filled with anger rather than sadness. Unlike the mourners around him, who were grieving, Don sat distant and scowling, fixated on his grandfather’s casket. In a moment of emotional turmoil, Don thought he saw his grandfather’s lips move, prompting him to storm out of the service.
Feeling overwhelmed, he sought solace at the home of friends Bob and Jeie Kyer. While in their home, Don experienced a chilling sensation in the bathroom, where he saw the face of an old man wearing a crown in the mirror. Panic set in as he noticed deep scratches on his wrists, which he quickly covered up before joining Bob and Jeie for dinner.
The Strange Leak
That evening, while Bob and Jeie sensed Don’s distress, the atmosphere shifted significantly. The couple began to hear the sound of running water, only to discover water leaking from the ceiling, walls, and even seeping up from the floor. Despite their attempts to find the source, no plumbing problem could be identified. Don, meanwhile, sat silently on the couch, seemingly in a trance, his fingers moving eerily without his control.
The situation worsened, prompting Bob to call the police. Officers John Boan and Richard Walbert arrived but were left baffled by the strange occurrence. They saw water pouring from the ceiling and walls yet found no plumbing issue. The police chief, upon arrival, advised everyone to let it go and not report the incident, suggesting it might be a strange plumbing issue. However, as the leaks continued, the couple grew more frightened.
Events at the Jail
After two harrowing days at Bob and Jeie’s house, Don returned to prison. Upon entering his cell, he displayed unsettling behavior that frightened his cellmate. Don seemed to enter another trance-like state, grinning and speaking in a hollow voice, claiming, "I can make it rain now."
Intrigued yet alarmed, a guard jokingly challenged Don to "make it rain" in the warden's office. Immediately, water began to seep onto the warden's shirt, demonstrating a mysterious supernatural connection. The facility was soon flooded with water, and despite multiple plumbers coming to inspect, no logical explanation for the incidents could be found.
The situation escalated when a reverend was brought in to assess the conditions. As he read scripture in an attempt to banish what he believed was evil, Don let out a gut-wrenching scream that reverberated throughout the jail. In an overwhelming emotional release, Don suddenly collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably after what seemed like an intense possession.
The Revelation
After some time, Don opened up about his experiences and the torment he felt from his grandfather. He had a complicated and abusive relationship with the man, who had subjected him to physical abuse throughout his childhood. When Don witnessed others praising his grandfather at the funeral, he felt a conflicted surge of anger and relief at the man’s death, which he believed had allowed dark forces to manifest within him.
Don attributed the supernatural events to his grandfather’s spirit, which he believed had haunted him since childhood. The intense emotions he felt during the funeral mixed with the trauma he had harbored led to the inexplicable events of his grandfather's alleged possession.
Strikingly, after this disturbing chapter in his life, Don did not exhibit any paranormal abilities again, leading many to ponder the implications of trauma, possession, and how deeply past abuses can affect individuals.
Conclusion
Even years later, the events surrounding Don Decker's experience remain unexplained. While several witnesses attest to what occurred, it was ultimately the acknowledgment of past abuse that surfaces the most haunting question: could the expression of paranormal power truly arise from experiences of physical abuse?
Keywords
- Don Decker
- Bizarre Events
- Paranormal Phenomena
- Grandfather's Funeral
- Physical Abuse
- Possession
- Trauma
- Water Leakage
FAQ
What happened to Don Decker during the funeral of his grandfather?
Don experienced overwhelming anger at the funeral and believed he saw his grandfather's lips move after feeling conflicted about his past abuse at the hands of the man.
Why did Don become a source of paranormal phenomena?
Witnesses reported strange occurrences like water leaking from walls and ceilings when Don was around, which he later attributed to feelings of anger and his grandfather's spirit possessing him.
What did Don claim about his grandfather?
Don believed his grandfather, whom he felt was the human embodiment of evil, possessed him after his death, leading to the chaotic events.
Did Don experience these paranormal events again?
No, after the incidents at Bob and Jeie's house and in jail, Don never exhibited any paranormal abilities or experiences again.
How was the case documented and perceived by authorities?
The police officers and jail staff involved in the situation were wary of discussing it publicly due to its bizarre nature. It took time before they officially testified about what they witnessed.