Ed and Lorraine Warren were two of the most famous and controversial paranormal investigators of the 20th century. The husband and wife duo spent decades investigating alleged hauntings, possessions, and other supernatural phenomena. Their cases inspired numerous books and Hollywood horror films like The Amityville Horror, The Conjuring, and the Annabelle series.
Ed Warren’s Death Cause
Ed Warren died on August 23, 2006 at the age of 79. According to his obituary, he passed away at the couple’s home in Monroe, Connecticut with Lorraine by his side. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed at the time.
However, it’s known that Ed had been in poor health for several years leading up to his death. In 2001, he suffered a severe heart attack that left him comatose for 11 weeks. Although paramedics were able to restart his heart, the incident took a major toll on his health. He remained in a weakened state and his condition continued to deteriorate in the following years.
Interestingly, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It depicts Ed having a heart attack during the 1981 exorcism of David Glatzel. However, this appears to be a fictional element added for dramatic effect. While the real Ed Warren did assist with Glatzel’s exorcisms, there are no reports of him suffering a heart attack during any of those incidents. His major coronary event happened two decades later.
When asked if he feared death shortly before his passing, Ed reportedly replied, “No, I don’t fear it, not one iota. I know I’ll be going to a beautiful place.” He was laid to rest with full military honors at Stepney Village Cemetery in Monroe, having served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Lorraine Warren’s Death Cause
Lorraine Warren outlived her husband by nearly 13 years. She died peacefully in her sleep on April 18, 2019 at the age of 92.
In the years following Ed’s death, Lorraine had remained active in the paranormal community, though she took on a reduced role in investigations. She continued to give lectures and make appearances related to the Warrens’ most famous cases. Vera Farmiga, who portrayed Lorraine in the Conjuring films, developed a close friendship with her during this time.
Lorraine’s health had been in decline prior to her death, which was attributed to natural causes related to her advanced age. Her son-in-law Tony Spera, who had taken over the New England Society for Psychic Research that the Warrens founded, announced her passing on Facebook the next day.
“She was happy and laughing until the very end,” her grandson Chris McKinnell wrote. “She was my angel and my hero, and she will be deeply missed. Please join us in celebrating her life and honoring her beautiful soul.”
Controversies Around Ed and Lorraine Warren
While Ed and Lorraine Warren achieved worldwide fame for their paranormal work, they were also dogged by controversy and skepticism throughout their careers.
Prominent skeptical investigators like Steven Novella of the New England Skeptical Society accused the Warrens of promoting pseudoscience and making claims not supported by evidence. In examining the Warrens’ most famous cases, Novella and others found that much of the “paranormal” activity had prosaic explanations or that key details could not be corroborated.
The Warrens were also criticized for their involvement in the “Amityville Horror” case, which was later revealed to be a hoax concocted by the homeowners. Skeptics argue the Warrens used the media attention around such cases to build their brand with little regard for the facts.
Even more disturbing are the allegations made by Judith Penney, a woman who claims to have had an extramarital affair with Ed Warren starting when she was 15 years old in the early 1960s. Penney says the relationship lasted over 40 years with Lorraine’s knowledge. While unproven, these accusations paint a darker picture of the Warrens’ private lives in contrast to their public image.
Legacy and Impact of Warren’s
Despite the controversies, there’s no denying the enormous cultural impact Ed and Lorraine Warren had on the paranormal field. Their investigations brought ghost-hunting into the mainstream decades before shows like Ghost Hunters made it a pop culture phenomenon.
The Warrens’ cases also inspired some of the most successful horror movie franchises in recent memory. The Conjuring Universe alone has grossed over $2 billion worldwide. While the films take major liberties with the facts, they’ve introduced the Warrens’ story to a new generation.
For believers, Ed and Lorraine Warren will always be remembered as a devoted couple who used their unique abilities to help people in need. In their view, the Warrens’ Catholic faith allowed them to confront demonic forces that others could not. Lorraine in particular is still revered by many as a gifted clairvoyant.
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So, Ed succumbed to heart disease in 2006 after years of ailing health. Lorraine soldiered on for another 13 years before passing away in her sleep at the impressive age of 92. While their deaths may have been quite ordinary from a medical perspective, the extraordinary impact of their lives and work cannot be overstated.
