South Shields Poltergeist — Modernday Case With Physical Evidence and Witnesses

In 2006, a young couple identified as Marc and Marianne in South Shields, Tyneside, England experienced an escalating poltergeist case that was exhaustively documented by investigators Mike Hallowell and Darren Ritson over several months. The case is notable for the volume of physical evidence collected. A child's toy became a central component of the phenomena—a small plastic chair was repeatedly moved to unusual positions, placed on top of furniture, and eventually used to deliver threatening written notes. The notes—spelled out in childlike handwriting—were photographed and analyzed. One note read 'Go go go or die' and another was addressed directly to Marc. Hallowell and Ritson documented objects being thrown in full view of multiple witnesses, a mattress folding in half with a child on it, drawers flying out of furniture, and a duvet being shredded by an invisible force. Security cameras were installed and captured objects moving. A water pistol was found placed in a threatening position multiple times after being deliberately put away. The investigators published a detailed account in 2008. Unlike many poltergeist cases, the South Shields case did not appear to be centered on a single adolescent agent but affected multiple family members. The quality and quantity of physical evidence collected and the credibility of the investigators make it one of the most rigorously documented modern poltergeist cases.