As pseudonymous photographer Seph Lawless was doing research for an upcoming project, he unintentionally stumbled upon something far eerier than he could’ve imagined.
“I came across houses and some appeared to be extraordinarily haunted,” he told LittleThings. “It wasn’t until months later — and in some cases years later — that I would return to those houses and try to investigate a little bit further.”
Many of these abandoned homes, he discovered, had folklore attached to them from locals who believed they were haunted — similarly to stories told of Kings Park Psychiatric Center in New York and the Winchester mansion.
It was natural for him to start photographing these spooky places and later publish them in his book, titled 13: An American Horror Story.
Lawless, who usually travels alone when photographing, didn’t use Google to find many of these places. Instead, he visited towns within broken parts of the United States and was directed by the residents he spoke to.
“There’s still a lot of stuff out there that has not been tapped in photographs,” he said referring to other unknown homes believed to be haunted.
The Cleveland native focused mostly on homes with horrific histories, including one in particular that stood out to him most: the Sayer House in Kentucky, where two parents reportedly committed suicide and left their forlorn children behind.
While it was frightening enough for him to visit homes with such grisly stories attached to them, the longtime photographer became even more unsettled when he'd scan through his photos and spot random figures in the background.
“If it's something that's not there and it’s a shadow…and you can’t explain it, that’s creepy in itself,” he said. “But, if it was someone just lurking in the shadows while I was there, just waiting for me… It’s quite frightening."
Paranormal fans can purchase the book on his personal website to get many more details on his travels.
In the meantime, view some of the creepy pictures below and please SHARE with friends who enjoy haunted tales!
1. The Haught Mansion in Michigan
After this 1940s brothel shut down, dead bodies were said to be discovered in its basement.
2. The Sayer House in Kentucky
The parents of this family reportedly committed suicide and their children were forced to fend for themselves.
3. The Bailey Mansion in Connecticut
This is reportedly the house that inspired FX's American Horror Story.
4. The Caters Estate in New York
A local sheriff named Donald Caters is said to have lived here and shot himself.
Go to the NEXT page to see inside some creepy houses.
5. Robert Berdella's Home in Ohio
This is the interior of the serial killer's childhood home. Berdella, also known as the Kansas City Butcher, is said to have killed at least six men in the 1980s.
6. A Home in Indiana
This house is filled with creepy objects like this doll head.
7. Little Rock Mansion in Arkansas
Who left those items on the floor?
8. Stratler Arms in Minnesota
One table somehow still stands in this home.
9. The Corey Estates in Pennsylvania
The window remains open in this abandoned home.
See more haunted homes right in the middle of neighborhoods on the NEXT page.
10. The Pacers Mansion in Virginia
Nature is taking over this house.
11. Ghost Row Houses in Alabama
Just imagine driving by these broken down homes.
12. The Taylor Plantation Mansion in Louisiana
Louisiana is known for its paranormal activity and many believe the entire state is haunted.
13. The Bait Mansion in Michigan
Imagine having to live next to this creepy home.
14. The Temple Mansion in Michigan
In 1942, three priests were allegedly murdered here. The house has now been destroyed by the city.
Please SHARE with all the paranormal believers you know!
