Anneliese Michel: The True Story Behind 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose'

Summary

The true story behind the movie 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' details the life and death of Anneliese Michel, a German woman who experienced what many believed to be demonic possession. Born in 1952, Anneliese began experiencing episodes of unconsciousness at 16, which doctors initially suspected were seizures. Despite medical examinations and prescribed medication, her symptoms escalated. By 1973, she reported hearing voices damning her to hell and witnessed her own eyes turn black. She also described horrific visions of demon faces and a persistent stench of burnt feces. After seeking spiritual guidance, a priest named Father Alt was consulted, and Anneliese underwent a psychiatric evaluation diagnosing her with neurosis and possible epilepsy. Her behavior became increasingly erratic, including eating insects, destroying religious items, and exhibiting superhuman strength. After convincing experts and the bishop, 67 exorcism rites were performed between 1975 and 1976. During these sessions, Anneliese named demons and provided specific details about a 15th-century priest, Fleishmann, which seemed impossible for her to know. An exorcist, Father Gary Thomas, outlined signs of possession including aversion to the sacred, knowledge of hidden things, inordinate physical strength, and seizure-like episodes. Anneliese's condition worsened, leading her to refuse food and ultimately die of starvation at 23, weighing 68 pounds. Her parents and the two priests involved were accused of negligent homicide and went to trial in 1978. The defense argued Anneliese had a right to refuse medical treatment and presented recordings of the exorcisms as evidence of possession. However, an autopsy revealed a healthy brain with no signs of epilepsy. The prosecution argued Anneliese suffered from epilepsy and psychosis, exacerbated by the exorcisms, and that the defendants failed to seek adequate medical care. The court ruled in favor of the prosecution, sentencing the four defendants to suspended prison terms and court costs, determining Anneliese should have been forced into medical care. The case remains debated, with lingering questions about whether her death was due to mental illness or genuine demonic possession.