As the saying goes, “Home is where the heart is.” Our homes are our sanctuaries, reflecting our personal style and needs. But sometimes, homes hold secrets and surprises we never expect. Prepare to be amazed by these ten startling discoveries people have made in their own homes.
10. Missing Husband’s Body
Imagine the horror of reporting your husband missing only to find his body months later in your own home. This tragic story is exactly what happened to Jennifer Maedge. After Richard Maedge went missing in April 2022, police searched their Illinois home but found nothing. Months later, Jennifer discovered Richard’s body in a concealed closet behind Christmas decorations. An autopsy revealed suicide by hanging. This chilling discovery highlights the importance of thorough investigation and the devastating impact of the unknown.
9. Coyote Behind the Toilet
Coyotes are adaptable creatures, often found in urban areas. In Trenton, Ohio, one family got a lot closer to wildlife than they ever anticipated. While packing their car for a road trip, they left their front door open, inviting a coyote inside. The unexpected guest took refuge behind their toilet. When Adam Whaley’s father went to use the restroom, he discovered the wild animal. Police were called to safely remove the coyote, reminding us that even in suburban settings, nature can find its way in.
8. Doll and Creepy Note Inside Wall
Buying a new home is typically an exciting experience, but for Jonathan Lewis in the UK, it came with a touch of the bizarre. While exploring a void under the stairs, Lewis knocked through a plasterboard and found a ragdoll accompanied by a sinister note. The note, supposedly written by the doll named Emily, claimed she had killed the previous owners in 1961. Despite the creepy message, Lewis found the situation amusing rather than frightening. This discovery serves as a reminder that old homes often hold hidden histories, sometimes with a spooky twist.
7. Naked Man in Bed
Imagine waking up to find a stranger in your bed. That’s exactly what happened to Krista Brown in Providence, Rhode Island. After working a night shift, Brown took a nap and felt someone cuddling her. Thinking it was her boyfriend, she turned over to find a naked stranger, Jason Kendrick, next to her. Kendrick, who lived next door, was later arrested and charged with breaking and entering. This terrifying experience underscores the importance of home security and vigilance, even within seemingly safe neighborhoods.
6. Seven Hundred Pounds of Acorns
Woodpeckers are known for storing food, but one pair took it to an extreme in Glen Ellen, California. Homeowners discovered “maggot-like worms” coming out of their bedroom wall and called an exterminator. Nick Castro, from Nick’s Extreme Pest Control, found that the walls were filled with 700 pounds of acorns. Acorn woodpeckers had drilled holes in the chimney and siding, using the home as their personal storage unit. It took an entire day to remove the massive stash, highlighting the surprising ways animals can impact our homes.
5. Serval
Waking up to a cat in your bed is normal for many pet owners. However, Kristine Frank of Brookhaven, Georgia, woke up to a “giraffe cat”—a serval. Her husband had left the door open, allowing the exotic feline to wander in. The serval, named Nala, belonged to a neighbor who had illegally brought it from South Carolina. Nala was eventually taken by the Department of Natural Resources and sent to a sanctuary. This incident serves as a reminder of the laws and regulations surrounding exotic pet ownership and the surprises that can arise from it.
4. Stranger Living in Attic
The act of someone secretly living in another person’s home is known as “phrogging”. A homeowner in Mill Creek, Washington, experienced this firsthand when he noticed missing items and cigarette smoke. He discovered a makeshift bed, drug paraphernalia, and half-eaten food in his attic. Police found Daniel Tomoiaga living in the attic with stolen money, a passport, and drugs. Tomoiaga was arrested and charged with theft, burglary, and drug possession. This unsettling story illustrates the vulnerability of our homes and the importance of maintaining awareness of our surroundings.
3. Car on Roof
Imagine hearing a loud crash and discovering a car on your roof. That’s exactly what happened to a homeowner in Taizhou, China. In March 2017, a driver attempting to avoid a collision accidentally accelerated off the highway and onto the home’s roof. The driver was rescued, and a crane was needed to remove the vehicle. This bizarre incident demonstrates the unpredictable nature of traffic accidents and the surprising places they can end up.
2. Snakes in Walls
Finding snakes in your new home is a nightmare scenario for many. Amber Hall of Centennial, Colorado, experienced this firsthand when she moved into her dream home. Her dog began investigating a particular area of the garage, leading Hall to discover snakes slithering up the wall. A snake wrangler removed ten snakes in ten days and believed they had been living in the home for at least two years. Until all snakes are removed, Hall cannot fully enjoy her new home. This story underscores the importance of property inspection and the potential for hidden wildlife infestations.
1. Previous Owner in Basement
Purchasing a property at a sheriff’s sale can be a great opportunity, but one man in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, made a gruesome discovery. While inspecting the property, he found a decomposing body in the basement. The body was identified as Nina Fielden, the 71-year-old previous owner. The cause of death remains unclear, as well as how the body went undiscovered prior to the sale. This chilling find highlights the importance of due diligence and the potential for unexpected horrors in foreclosed properties.
These startling discoveries remind us that our homes can hold unexpected secrets, both fascinating and frightening. From unwanted animal guests to tragic human stories, these tales reveal the hidden layers within our living spaces.
Have you ever found anything surprising in your home? Share your stories in the comments below!
