Case 11
Anneliese Michel
Case 11
Anneliese Michel
First came the seizures and sleep paralysis. Then came the hallucinations and violent behaviour. Anneliese Michel made endless visits to doctors and specialists only to be either referred to another doctor or placed on medication that wasn’t helping her.
Her condition became so bad that at times she started to growl and speak in a horrific deep voice, destroy religious objects and complain religious sites like churches were too painful for her to go near. She convinced her parents and several priests she was possessed by demons. It led to the Catholic church making the unusual decision to grant two priests permission to perform an exorcism ritual.
But was Anneliese really possessed by demons? The medical community doesn’t think so. They were certain of what Anneliese was suffering from, even though they couldn’t diagnose her properly whilst she was alive.
Four people were eventually charged with negligent homicide after her death. The trial that followed was described as the biggest criminal trial in Germany, outside of the Nazi war crime trials.
The story of Anneliese Michel is as heartbreaking as it is horrific. Incredibly, some of the exorcism rituals were recorded. The tapes were never allowed to be played in court…. but they will be played during this episode.
________
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
MTC program: maketheconnection.net/resources/spread-the-word
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
EPISODE RESEARCH AND NARRATION:
Episode researched and narrated by Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOK:
Anneliese Michel A true story of a case of demonic possession Germany-1976 – by Lawrence LeBlanc
MOVIE:
The Exorcism of Emily Rose – movie based on this case
First came the seizures and sleep paralysis. Then came the hallucinations and violent behaviour. Anneliese Michel made endless visits to doctors and specialists only to be either referred to another doctor or placed on medication that wasn’t helping her.
Her condition became so bad that at times she started to growl and speak in a horrific deep voice, destroy religious objects and complain religious sites like churches were too painful for her to go near. She convinced her parents and several priests she was possessed by demons. It led to the Catholic church making the unusual decision to grant two priests permission to perform an exorcism ritual.
But was Anneliese really possessed by demons? The medical community doesn’t think so. They were certain of what Anneliese was suffering from, even though they couldn’t diagnose her properly whilst she was alive.
Four people were eventually charged with negligent homicide after her death. The trial that followed was described as the biggest criminal trial in Germany, outside of the Nazi war crime trials.
The story of Anneliese Michel is as heartbreaking as it is horrific. Incredibly, some of the exorcism rituals were recorded. The tapes were never allowed to be played in court…. but they will be played during this episode…
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
EPISODE RESEARCH AND NARRATION:
Episode researched and narrated by Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOK:
Anneliese Michel A true story of a case of demonic possession Germany-1976 – by Lawrence LeBlanc
MOVIE:
The Exorcism of Emily Rose – movie based on this case
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