A friend of mine told my husband and I this story and I thought it was just amazing and had to share. Keep in mind, this guy is extremely well educated, well traveled, has a professional career and is a community leader.

My friend was living in a small, late Victorian cottage in a rural community outside of town with his wife, stepson and newborn son. Late one night, he was sound asleep when he was awakened by a loud noise at the back door. Startled, he laid there just a second, when he heard a woman's voice saying "shhhhh, he's at the back door!"

Looking at the foot of his bed, he saw a beautiful red-haired woman standing there. Thinking it was his wife, another pretty redhead, he lept out of bed, ready to grab something and confront what he thought was a prowler. However, he turned to discover his wife next to him in the bed, sound asleep. He investigated at the back door and found nothing.

Troubled by the encounter, he did some research on the house, talking to people in the community. Back in the 1950's, a murder/suicide had taken place there. An attractive redhaired woman was shot by her husband, who then turned the gun on himself.

My friend has another theory: The pretty lady was caught in a tryst with a lover. The husband came home unexpectedly, shot her, and in turn was shot by the other man who covered the shooting to make it look like a suicide. Hence, the "he's at the backdoor" comment was a replay of what she might have said just before her death. My friend has not looked it up yet, but he suspicions that night may have been the anniversary of the deaths.

To add another little twist, a mutual friend of ours was there when the body was found. Her mother and the pretty redhead had been friends and they had driven to the home for a visit. The murder had taken place the night before.

Last summer, I had gone over to the house while they were on vacation to check on it and paint on an armoire that the couple had wanted me to do. My husband was off for the day, so I brought him along. When I got there, I was glad I did. I had been in the house several times before, but only when there were a lot of people around. This time, with only myself, and my husband the atmosphere of the place was very different. Although it was 100 degrees outside, the house was exceptionally cool -- I even checked the thermostat thinking something was wrong. Nothing eventful happened during the time I was there painting, but there was a definite, heavy feeling of sadness in the home. The area around the bedroom was the worst! I even commented to my husband that I bet our friends had a resident ghost or two. It would not be a place I'd like to be in late at night or by myself!

Interesting story, Carrie. I'm thinking your friend picked up on a residual haunting, or imprint of the event.

I wonder if the feelings you get in that house are an imprint, as well. Has there been any other paranormal activity in the house?

Wow interesting story Carrie! I wonder like Kevin , if the feelings are an imprint as well.

That was my thought also, that this was an imprint. As far as I know, there have been no other paranormal occurances in the house, other than just that feeling of sadness, and of someone watching. My friend said that he always felt the same way in the house and was very uncomfortable there (they no longer live there full time, but keep it as a weekend place).

The temperature thing suggest more than just an imprint though.
The lady my be an imprint but the cooling affect may be of the violent husband clinging to place. No impression. Just logic.

Good story too. It makes me want to check the place out. If it wasn't 2,500 miles away (give or take a few hundred .

[ June 14, 2005, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: nakis ]

That is true, Nakis, I hadn't really thought about it.

My friend is intrigued by the idea of trying to do an EVP there. I can tell his wife is a little reluctant though. I'm hoping he can convince her, I'd love to know if anything shows up on tape.

That is a good story Carrie. Sad and tragic at the same time given what happened there. I agree with Nakis it does sound like it may be more than just an imprint. Imprints have been mistaken for hauntings but they generally repeat over and over (so odds are someone else would have experienced this by now). Imprints don't interact with us (no earthbound there) but you can hear and see things with an imprint. The feeling of being watched plus the temp change also makes it seem that it's more then an imprint and makes you wonder who or what could still be there? Will be interesting if your friend does try and capture an EVP, especially since he's alreay heard the woman once already (without getting an evp) Have they tried taking some pictures? I'm curious to hear what further info he is able to get regarding the dates etc.

Cat, as far as I know, they haven't tried taking any pics. I'm curious about the dates also. Given the age of the house, it could well be that they've got multiple entities.