Quote from Angela on December 13, 2020, 5:50 pm

The LaLaurie Mansion located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is known as one the most haunted places in America. Breathtaking chandeliers and winding stairwells. Decadence at its finest. So tragic to discover what really went on inside this stunning three storey abode.

Madame Delphine MacCarthy LaLaurie, a local entrepreneur, bought the mansion in 1831. Herself and her husband, Leonard Louis Nicolas LaLaurie, used the home as a slave quarters. The couple were known locally as unkind and cold hearted folks. They became recognised as being 'evil' and the people who 'mistreated the slaves'.

A lawyer was called in to investigate but found nothing to support said claims. It is believed that after investigations Madame LaLaurie sold many of the slaves to avoid further intrusion.

However, a local family reported seeing a young girl named Lia jumping from the roof of the mansion. Many say Lia jumped to escape being violently whipped by LaLaurie.

It was also rumoured that LaLaurie chained her chef to a hot stove and forbid anyone from feeding the slaves and even her own daughters. Many reported all who were under LaLauries care as looking deathly pale and emancipated.

A raging fire broke out here in 1834, police confirmed it began in the kitchen where the body of the cook was found chained up. Also discovered were slaves bodies hanging by nooses, horribly mutilated. Others wearing metal collars. The body of a child was discovered under some dusty rubble. Many died here. Much horror and untold suffering was experienced here.  

The LaLauries were questioned about the atrocities. Their reaction was shocking:

"People would do better to stay at home instead of meddling in our business"

The LaLauries were eventually found guilty of cruelty and forced to surrender their slaves. Angry local mobsters actually attacked the evil mansion bringing it to the ground. However, the mansion was later brought back to life and is privately owned today.

The property is NOT available to tour. However, many paranormal enthusiasts enjoy looking at the local New Orleans area believing it to be haunted by the many souls who so tragically lost their lives here. 

Some claim to hearing unexplained phantom screaming voices.

A fiction version of LaLaurie was created for scenes in the hit tv series American Horror Story! The season called THE COVEN. So if you want to get a feel just how evil the LaLauries were you should watch it. 

Sometimes facts really are stranger than fiction.

Photographs sourced at blackpast.org | deadline.com | en.wikipedia.org