Destination America is set to make history by broadcasting the first-ever live exorcism on TV, as previously reported by HNGN. The live exorcism will take place in the suburbs of St. Louis at the home where the exorcism of Roland Doe took place, which inspired the 1973 film "The Exorcist."
Paranormal investigative team The Tennessee Wraith Chasers (of Destination America's "Ghost Asylum") will work together with psychic medium Chip Coffey in an attempt to rid the home of the demons that have been known to haunt it, according to TV by the Numbers. Fans can actively join in on the investigation by following along on Destination America's website, where audiences will have viewing access to a live feed of cameras that are set up in various rooms of the house.
In anticipation of the upcoming event, here are five things to know about the upcoming live exorcism of the Bel-Nor, Mo. home that is reportedly one of the most haunted locations in the U.S.
1) The exorcism of Roland Doe took place in the house.
The story begins in Maryland in 1949 with 14-year-old Roland Doe, according to Destination America. After playing with a spirit board (also known as a Ouija board) given to him by his aunt, Doe began experiencing unexplainable events, like hearing noises and witnessing a Jesus painting on his wall shake. When his aunt passed away, the boy started behaving strangely, and claw-like scratches appeared on his body. Fearing for his safety, his family sent him to live with religious relatives in the suburbs of St. Louis.
A team of Jesuit priests, led by Father William Bowdern, visited Doe in that home and performed an exorcism on the boy. Father Raymond Bishop, who participated in the exorcism, kept a diary that documented the events that took place during the exorcism, and his notes became the basis for William Friedkin's "The Exorcist."
Watch a short documentary about the possession of Roland Doe below.
2) Demons are said to lurk in the home to this day.
Since Doe's exorcism, there have been various claims that demonic entities still reside in the home. Various paranormal teams have experienced inexplicable things during previous investigations at the home. Paranormal investigator Nick Groff explored the home on previous episode of the Travel Channel's "Ghost Adventures," and he gave a testimony on whether the home is indeed haunted.
"I've been to hundreds of locations all over the world, some extremely sinister," Groff said in a video interview on Destination America's website. "I would rank the 'Exorcist' house in my top five."
3) There is a family that currently lives in the home.
The house has been on and off the market "almost continuously" since 1949, local paper STL Today reported. The family that currently lives there gave Destination America permission to film in their home, but they have not given interviews and will not participate in the exorcism.
4) Jodi Tovay, the show's developer, says she had an experience with paranormal activity.
Tovay claimed that she witnessed a demonic possession during her church's mission trip to Mexico, The Wall Street Journal reported. Tovay, who was 16 at the time, said that one of the chaperones on the trip started to behave in a strange manner and exhibit traits of a demonic possession like using profanity and contorting his body. A youth pastor performed an exorcism on the chaperone.
5) The local Catholic archdiocese has issued a warning and does not condone the live exorcism.
Bishop Robert Hermann clarified that anyone involved in Destination America's production is not a member of the Catholic clergy and is not affiliated with the Archdiocese of St. Louis, according to a statement obtained by TIME.
"Any attempt to use the solemn Rite of Exorcism as entertainment exposes all participators to the danger of future hidden satanic attack," Bishop Robert Hermann said. "We cannot play games with Satan and expect to win."
Be sure to catch "Exorcism: Live!" on Friday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. on Destination America.
