It's our Exorcist Halloween Special! In the Spring of 1949, a 14-year-old boy began exhibiting signs of demonic possession after the death of his aunt. Following a harrowing exorcism, the boy, known only as Roland Doe, was cured.

Local news stories about the exorcism caught the eye of William Peter Blatty, inspiring his 1971 novel “The Exorcist”. He also wrote the screenplay that became the 1973 film, directed by William Friedkin.

This is Based on a True Crime.

Sources:

Is The Exorcist based on a true story? Real-life tale of Roland Doe's possession that's more terrifying than the film and TV show by Jo-Anne Rowney

https://www.mirror.co.uk/film/exorcist-based-true-story-real-11303612

The True Story of the St. Louis House That Inspired The Exorcist by Chad Garrison

https://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/hell-of-a-house/Content?oid=2491650&showFullText=true

Based on a True Crime is a podcast where Chelsea’s love of true crime and David’s love of horror movies intersect. Each week we will be discussing murders and/or mysteries, along with the pop culture they have spawned.

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Our podcast theme and supporting music was composed and performed by Nico Vettese of We Talk of Dreams, who can be found on Twitter (@wetalkofdreams), their website and on Instagram (@wetalkofdreams)!

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