THE HORRIFYING CASE OF ANNELIESE MICHEL

On our ongoing event of Halloween, let’s read another spooky case, THE CHILLING EXORCISM OF ANNELIESE MICHEL, an infamous demonic possession case that later inspired making a film Exorcism Of Emily Rose.

ABOUT ANNELIESE MICHEL

 Born on September 21, 1952, in Leiblfing, Bavaria, West Germany, Anneliese was a strict Catholic. Her classmates described her as “very religious and withdrawn.” 

Her life started going downhill when she was 16. She lost consciousness, and on the same night, she experienced something strange, felt as if someone was pressing her chest and pinning her to her bed. 

In August 1969, 11 months after this event, she had a similar experience again, and this time, her mother took her to Dr. Vogt, their family doctor, and Dr. Luthy, a neurologist. Dr. Luthy ran a brain scan EEG, but the reports came back normal. They both assumed that Anneliese’s experiences were a type of seizure. In June 1970, she had a similar experience again, after which she was prescribed anticonvulsant drugs. After her fourth experience in 1972, she was given Dilantin. In both times, EEG was done. 

In 1970 the reports were normal, but in 1972, reports showed some mild irregular patterns, but these could NOT explain her experiences. Things took an ugly turn in 1973.

THE HORRIFIC SYMPTOMS

 Anneliese reported that she hears knocking sounds in her room, and her sisters too. She also said that she heard voices that told her she would “rot in hell.” Her mother became more worried when she saw Anneliese staring angrily at a statue of the Virgin Mary. Her mother also said that she saw that anneliese’s hands looked like thick paws with claws and she also saw her eyes turning to black. 

Anneliese complained about seeing demon faces. As indicated above, she couldn’t visit or see any Christian sacred places or objects like crucifixes. She even refused to drink the holy water. According to Mrs. Michel, when she told all these incidents to Dr. Luthy, he suggested consulting a Jesuit, but the doctor later denied this.

 Though it’s not clear who said what, they did find a priest, Father Alt. However, From July 1975, her condition started deteriorating. She hardly slept, ate insects like flies or spiders, and even licked her urine! She started to destroy sacred objects, holy pictures. She showed strength which was quite close to superhuman. It was seen she could squeeze an apple with one hand effortlessly, and the small pieces would explode throughout the room. 

ANNELIESE WAS POSSESSED?

Father Rodewyk, who was considered an expert in Exorcism, believed that Anneliese was possessed. After discussing with a Bishop, it was decided to carry out an exorcism on Anneliese. 0n 24th Sept 1975, the first Exorcism was carried out by Father Renz. Some of the exorcism sessions were allowed to record, and 42 such sessions were recorded. The following could be heard in one such recording: “I, Judas and Nero, Cain and Hilter! That’s five of us!” Further, she also named Valentin Fleischmann, a priest in the early 1500s and was said to have bad behavior for which he was even kicked out of the Church. She told about him accurately, which was surprising as there was no chance she knew about him, as per Father Alt. 

CASE OF ANNELIESE MICHEL WORSENED

By May 1976, her condition showed no improvement but even worsened! She banged her head against the wall, bit herself and others, became suicidal, and hence her family had no other option than tying her to protect her from herself. Not only that, she even REFUSED TO EAT ANYTHING! Though she weighed around 80 pounds, she showed great strength when she was restrained or controlled. Since she ate nothing, her face was sunken in, and she had a very high fever but still REFUSED TO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT! 

On July 1, 1976, she died at the age of 23. She had gone through 67 EXORCISMS! The reason for her death was malnutrition; her weight was only 68 pounds at that time. 

THE AFTERMATH

Her parents, Father Renz and Father Alt, were booked under negligent homicide. The defense submitted the recordings and had eyewitness testimony, but the theory of possessions was not ever taken seriously by the court. The defense also said that it was Anneliese who refused to seek medical help. But interestingly, Father Alt thought to seek medical help at the end, and his doctor friend, Richard Roth, on May 30, visited her but said that he didn’t go as a physician, just out of scientific curiosity. As per Dr. Richard, there were no external injuries, but Father Alt claims to see external injuries, like bruises. 

An autopsy revealed that her brain had no damage that could cause epileptic seizures even at the microscopic level. It’s also worth mentioning that ulcers were absent, found on victims of malnutrition/starvation. 

RESULT OF THE COURT CASE

The prosecution said that Anneliese had epilepsy and psychosis. It was also found that Father Alt had schizophrenia, thus leading towards questioning his ability. For further more information about the trials, you may read the court case and news on it. Summing up the case, the court found the four guilty, and they were sent to jail for six months. The priests were suspended for three years and had to pay for all court costs. 

Was it a case of demonic possession? Or was it something else?

Let us know in the comments down below and stay spooked my friends!