Bill Wilkins death in 1963 might have gone unnoticed if not for the chilling events that unfolded years later at 284 Green Street in Enfield, London. This seemingly ordinary passing became the centerpiece of one of the most infamous paranormal cases in British history. 

It was later immortalized in the horror film The Conjuring 2. But what’s the real story behind Bill Wilkins’ death, and how did it become intertwined with the Enfield Poltergeist?

The Man Behind the Mystery

Bill Wilkins was a long-time resident of 284 Green Street, and lived with his wife Ethel. On June 20, 1963, at the age of 61, Wilkins passed away in his home from a coronary thrombosis. It was a sad but unremarkable event at the time. Little did anyone know that his name would resurface over a decade later in a series of bizarre and terrifying incidents.

The Enfield Haunting Begins

In August 1977, the Hodgson family – single mother Peggy and her four children (Margaret, Janet, Johnny, and Billy) – began experiencing strange phenomena in their Enfield home. They lived in the same house where Bill Wilkins had died. The center of these disturbances Janet Hodgson, who claimed to be possessed by Wilkins’ spirit.

The haunting allegedly began on the evening of August 30, 1977, when Janet told her mother that her brothers’ beds were wobbling. The next evening, Mrs. Hodgson heard a loud noise from upstairs and entered her children’s bedroom to find a chest of drawers moving on its own.

Conjuring 2 Real Story or Fake?

The film dramatizes the experiences of the Hodgson family and the involvement of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. So, is the conjuring 2 based on a true story? Yes it is. While the Conjuring 2 does have its own creative twist to it, it is indeed based on the real-life Enfield Poltergeist case. 

However, it’s important to note that the Warrens’ role in the actual case was much smaller than portrayed in the movie. In reality, the Warrens only briefly investigated the Enfield case in the summer of 1978 and were just two of many investigators to visit Hodgson’s home. Their involvement was significantly dramatized for the film.

The Bill Wilkins Recording: A Chilling Encounter

One of the most unsettling aspects of the case was a recording of Janet Hodgson speaking in a deep, gruff voice, claiming to be Bill Wilkins. In this eerie communication, the entity described Wilkins’ death:

“Just before I died, I went blind, and then I had a hemorrhage and I fell asleep and I died in the chair in the corner downstairs.”

This recording, made by paranormal investigator Maurice Grosse, became one of the most famous pieces of evidence in the Enfield Poltergeist case.

Fact vs. Fiction

Interestingly, some details provided by the “possessed” Janet were later confirmed to be accurate. Bill Wilkins’ son, Terry, verified in 1996 that his father had indeed died in the house. However, other details were incorrect, such as Wilkins’ age at death and the cause of his death. He died as a result of coronary thrombosis, not a hemorrhage.

The entity also got Wilkins’ place of burial wrong, claiming he was buried in Durant’s Park when in fact he was interred at Lavender Hill Cemetery. These discrepancies have led many to question the authenticity of Janet’s “possession.”

Janet Hodgson Age and her Paranormal Experience

At the time of the incidents, Janet Hodgson age was just 11 years old. Now in her late 50’s, she has spoken about her experiences over the years. 

In 1980, Janet admitted to faking some of the phenomena, saying they did it “just to see if Mr. Grosse and Mr. Playfair would catch us. They always did.” However, she insisted that this only accounted for about 2% of the events. 

In a 2012 interview, Janet reflected on her experiences: “I felt used by a force that nobody understands. I really don’t like to think about it too much. I’m not sure the poltergeist was truly ‘evil’. It was almost as if it wanted to be part of our family.”

The Aftermath and Controversy

The Enfield Poltergeist case attracted widespread media attention and drew in numerous investigators. Over 30 witnesses, including neighbors, journalists, and paranormal researchers, reported strange occurrences in the house.

However, the case remains controversial. Some, like Guy Lyon Playfair, who wrote a book about the incidents titled This House is Haunted, believed the events were genuine. Others, including members of the Society for Psychical Research, were skeptical and suspected fraud.

Whatever the case, the story of Bill Wilkins death and its connection to the Enfield Poltergeist continues to fascinate and perplex a large number of people. It raises questions about the nature of life after death, the power of suggestion, and the human capacity for both belief and deception.

Whether you view the Enfield case as a genuine paranormal event or an elaborate hoax, there’s no denying its impact on popular culture. From inspiring Hollywood blockbusters to sparking debates among paranormal enthusiasts, the story of Bill Wilkins and the Hodgson family has left an indelible mark on the world of the supernatural.

The case has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films. In addition to “The Conjuring 2,” it inspired the Sky Living series The Enfield Haunting in 2015 and a four-part Apple TV+ mini documentary series The Enfield Poltergeist in 2023.

As we continue to seek answers about what really happened at 284 Green Street, one thing remains clear: the death of an ordinary man named Bill Wilkins set in motion a chain of events that would captivate the world for decades to come. 

His passing, unremarkable at the time, became the catalyst for one of the most enduring mysteries in paranormal history, challenging our understanding of life, death, and the spaces in between.