Exorcism of Annaliese Michel

A case of demonic possession that was so terrifying and controversial that it actually became the movie, 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose'. The exorcism of Anneliese Michel is the true story that inspired that. It's one of the few actual cases of demonic possession that went to court.

Annalise Michelle was born in 1952 in the small town of Klingenberg, in Bavaria Germany. She was raised as a strict Catholic and was described as very bright and likable. She started facing troubles in September 1968, at the tender age of 16, she experienced her first episode of losing consciousness. And later that night, she felt as if something was pressing down on her chest, pinning her to her bed.

11 months later in August 1969, a similar event occurred and her mother took Anneliese to their family doctor, Dr. Vogt and a neurologist, Dr. Luthy who examined her and even ran an EEG, a brain scan, but found nothing wrong. They hypothesized that it could possibly be a form of seizure. The doctor put her on heavy medication, but none of the medicines seemed to work.

Problems like nausea, numbness, screaming for no reason, sleepwalking, and many such issues had become a common occurrence in her life. She started having terrible fits, and her body was not in her control anymore.

In 1973, when Annalise turned 21, her situation worsened. Anneliese began to hear knocking sounds in her bedroom. Sounds her sisters would hear as well. Wherever she went, she saw the faces of demons. But even more alarming, Anneliese also reported hearing a voice damning her to hell. "You're damned, you'll be punished, still, be puddle rotten now, now".

Her mother was further rattled when she witnessed Anneliese furiously staring at a statue of the Virgin Mary with, quote, "Eyes turned black, jet black". "And her hands seemed to turn into thick paws with claws". Wherever she went, she saw the faces of demons, and many times, she could hear the demon voices whispering in her ears, "You're damned, you'll be punished, still, be puddle rotten now, now."

In September 1973, in a neurological visit with Dr. Luthy, Anneliese described horrifically visions of demon faces that were tormenting her, and stated that she felt that the devil was inside her. She also reported smelling something that had the aroma of burnt feces, a stench that many around her reported smelling at later times.

Around this time, Anneliese's mother described these strange occurrences to Dr. Luthy, who according to Mrs. Michel, advised them to consult a Jesuit, a claim that Dr. Luthy would later deny.

The family searched for a priest and eventually found a priest named Father Alt. In November 1973, Anneliese met with a Freudian psychiatrist who diagnosed her as a neurotic with possible epilepsy. And another neurologist found she had quoted, "epileptic patterns" and took her off Dilantin and put her on Tegretol, a much stronger drug.

In July 1975, Anneliese's extremely odd behavior worsened. She couldn't either enter the church nor see the picture of God. After a while, Anneliese started acting even weirder. She ate spiders and flies and even licked her own urine up from the floor, walked on her hands, tore off her clothes, hurting herself in every possible manner. She destroyed rosaries, crucifixes, and holy pictures on the walls.

Her parents were really scared, and now even they believed that their daughter is possessed She barely slept and prayed fervently all night. Anneliese also exhibited strength that was quoted, "Close to superhuman," throwing her sister, quote, "As if she were a ragdoll." And incredibly was observed effortlessly squeezing an apple with one hand into, quote, "Fragments exploded throughout the room."

Her condition never seemed to improve. She couldn't either enter the church nor see the picture of God. After a while, Anneliese started acting even weirder. She ate worms, walked on her hands, tore off her clothes, hurting herself in every possible manner. Her parents were really scared, and now even they believed that their daughter is possessed. They asked for the help of priests from the church. They weren't willing to come, but on great persuasion, they agreed. And when they visited their place, they were left in shock after seeing the priests analyzing Annaliese.

A priest named Father Rodewyk, a man considered an expert on exorcisms by his peers reported that he was convinced that Anneliese was possessed and after deliberation with the bishop, an exorcism on Anneliese was formally approved. It was to be carried out by a priest named Father Renz. On September 24, 1975, the first exorcism rite was performed Father Renz allowed some of the exorcism sessions to be recorded and 42 audio recordings of the exorcisms were made in total.

The priests had now realized that Annaliese was blessed by a very strong demonic spirit. In response to the exorcism, they fell, knowing that there was not one but actually six evil spirits that resided in her body.

Anneliese also named Fleishmann as one of her demons. And provided accurate details of the real Fleischmann who was a priest in the 1500s. He was kicked out of the church for bad behavior. These details came as an icy shock to Father Alt who claims Anneliese would have no way of knowing Fleishmann

By May, Anneliese became even worse. Banging her head against the wall and biting herself and others to the point where her family had to tie her up to prevent her from hurting herself. But most dangerously, Anneliese refused to eat, she described it as, quote, "Not being permitted to eat." Despite being quite frail, likely weighing under 80 pounds, she exhibited great strength when people tried to restrain her.

By June, Anneliese's entire face was sunk in, she also refused a doctor visit even though she had a very high fever. On June 30, Anneliese had another exorcism, only saying "Please, absolution." The next morning, her family went to her room and found her dead. Despite seeking medical attention early on, Anneliese refused to submit to medical attention in the end, as she and her family ultimately placed all faith of recovery into the exorcisms. She died of starvation at the age of 23 after 67 exorcisms. Weighing only 68 pounds at the time of her death.

Both the priests and her parents were arrested on suspicion of Annaliese's murder. But because of a lack of solid evidence, they were set free in six months.

The voice of Annaliese screaming during the exorcism and the subsequent events became the basis for the movie "Exorcism of Emily Rose."