The Exorcist: Ronald Hunkeler's Story from Maryland to Missouri 1949

In this Halloween-week episode, Megan and Mindy look at one of the most famous exorcisms in American history, which ended in St. Louis, Missouri. The case inspired William Peter Blatty's novel and the 1973 film The Exorcist . Primary Historical Sources & Diary Documentation The Diary of Father Raymond J. Bishop : This is the most crucial primary document. It was a detailed, day-by-day log kept by one of the attending priests tracking Hunkeler's behavior, physical markings, and the rituals performed at the Alexian Brothers Hospital in St. Louis. The 1949 Washington Post Article : A brief, anonymous account of the exorcism published in August 1949. William Peter Blatty read this article while studying at Georgetown University, sparking the initial idea for his 1971 novel. Father Walter H. Halloran Interviews: Halloran was a young Jesuit who assisted during the St. Louis rituals (and famously had his nose broken by the boy). His later-in-life interviews offer a direct look into the room. January 1949 (The Catalyst): Living in Cottage City, Maryland, 13-year-old Ronald was introduced to a Ouija board by his spiritualist aunt, Harriet. After she passed away, violent poltergeist-like activity began: scratching inside the walls, flying dishes, and a violently shaking mattress. February–March 1949 (The First Rituals): After medical doctors and a local Lutheran minister found no physical cause, the family turned to the Catholic Church. Father Edward Hughes attempted a preliminary exorcism at Georgetown University Hospital, which was aborted when Ronald slashed the priest's shoulder with a broken mattress spring. April 1949 (The St. Louis Exorcism): Bloody scratches spelling out "LOUIS" appeared on the boy's skin, prompting the family to flee to relatives in Missouri. Under the care of Father William Bowdern, over 20 grueling exorcisms were performed. The possession reportedly broke on April 18, 1949, when Ronald woke up completely calm. Apollo Missions: He worked as a payload and materials engineer for NASA, actively contributing to the Apollo space missions that put a man on the moon. Patented Technology: Hunkeler successfully patented a highly specialized, heat-resistant coating technology that helped space shuttle panels survive the extreme friction of atmospheric re-entry. The Investigative Exposés: Works by journalists Mark Opsasnick and Joe Nickell (published across The Skeptical Inquirer and Strange Magazine ) thoroughly debunked many of the supernatural elements. They revealed that Ronald was an only child who hated school, suffered from severe behavioral issues, and used clever trickery (like hiding a piece of wood to scratch the walls) to mimic a haunting. The Deathbed Confession: According to a close companion interviewed by The New York Post , Ronald never actually believed he was possessed. In later years, he reportedly laughed it off, stating, "He said he wasn't possessed, it was all concocted. He said, 'I was just a bad boy.'"