Most have experienced common issues that come with renting a house or apartment. These issues might include a leaky roof, windows stuck shut, crummy appliances, or a loud and obnoxious neighbor. But what about coming to the realization that your new rental pad was once the home of a murderous husband whose wife inexplicably disappeared from the residence before he went on to murder their children and kill himself?
A roach or rodent infestation can at least be dealt with, but the horrors of a shattered family murder can never truly be washed away.
And judging by some alleged happenings at a home in West Valley City, Utah, just such a set of circumstances is what sent a family fleeing from their new home. Sometimes past horrors can still haunt the house.
Salt Lake City’s KUTV reports that the house in question was once the home of Josh and Susan Powell and their children. In 2009, Susan Powell disappeared from the home, never to be seen again .
According to a KOMO news report from 2013, following years of financial and marital problems, the Powell’s relationship had reached such a rocky point that Susan was compelled to write a secret will and testament, as well as make a video of herself to express her concerns.
“I want it documented that there is extreme turmoil in our marriage… If I die, it may not be an accident, even if it looks like one.”
Susan would later disappear from the couple’s home without a trace. Police were actually investigating the disappearance of the whole family when Josh Powell showed up at the house with only the couple’s two young sons. Powell claimed he was simply returning from a winter camping trip, and that Susan had stayed home. Police found this odd, but even stranger was the fact that two fans were found in the house blowing on a wet spot on the carpet and all of Susan’s belongings were there, including purse, cell phone, and car.
The investigation that followed could never pin Susan’s disappearance — or murder — on Josh Powell, though police strongly believe the husband, along with his brother, Michael, were behind the mystery. But any resolution was greatly hampered when Josh took the two boys to Washington, where he killed them and then himself. Brother, Michael, would also go on to commit suicide.
Fast forward to 2014. The empty Powell house was rented by Joanna Aeosana and her family, who have no idea the house was connected to these horrifying events.
According to the New York Daily News , Aesoana experienced several frightening and unexplainable incidents since moving into the Powell house two months ago, causing her to believe the house is haunted. Because of this, she and her family have since fled.
Among the numerous mysterious goings-on, Aeosana says the garage door randomly opens and closes on its own. She also recently observed her 1-year-old son standing in the front yard talking to an empty swing, saying, “Go away, leave me alone!”
“I hear people crying when I’m showering,” Aesoana told KUTV .
But again, no one had told her about the Powells and the bitter reflections of the past that may still lurk in and around the property. It was a neighbor who finally told her what might be behind the strange happenings.
Aeosana says she had no idea of the Powell connection and history of the house, and that strange things began happening as soon as she and her family moved in.
The company that leased her the home is American Homes 4 Rent. While there was not a specific requirement for them to disclose the history of the home, particularly an unsavory one, she hopes they will help her find a new place to live and allow them out of the lease.
“I believe they should have told me,” said Aoesana. “I just don’t want to be in there.”
The house is tied up in a trust while details of the Powell estate continue to be untangled. Because no remains of Susan Powell have ever been found or identified, she cannot be declared dead until she has exhibited “no signs of life” for five years.
In the meantime, Aeosana and her family will be seeking a less mysterious home that doesn’t feature a garage door that opens and closes on its own, or invisible entities on swings that upset the children.
[Images via Wikipedia and The Daily Mail ]