How do you find out if there was a death in your house?

Finding out if someone died in your house can be an unsettling prospect. However, there are a few ways you can get more information and put your mind at ease.

Check with the Previous Owners or Neighbors

The simplest way to find out if there was a death in your house is to ask the previous owners directly. They may be forthcoming if there was a death, particularly a natural one. You can also ask neighbors who have lived nearby for a long time if they know of any deaths that occurred.

Search Public Records

You can search official public records to find documentation of deaths in your home. Here are some tips for searching public death records:

• Search the county recorder’s records for death certificates filed for your address.
• Search the county coroner or medical examiner’s records for death reports tied to your address.
• Search probate court records for wills and estates processed for former residents of your home.
• Search newspaper archives for obituaries of people who lived and died at your address.

Look for Signs in the House

When walking through your home, look for any signs that may indicate someone died there. Some things to look for include:

• Gunshot damage on walls or floors.
• Dark stains that could be blood.
• Areas where carpet or flooring seem newer compared to the rest.
• Out-of-place spiritual decorations or shrines.

Call the Local Non-Emergency Police Number

Most police departments keep records of deaths that occur in homes, including suicide, homicide, and other unattended deaths. You can call the local non-emergency police number and request they check their records for any deaths associated with your address.

Ask About Stigmatized Properties

Some states have laws requiring sellers or landlords to disclose if a property is considered “stigmatized” – meaning a death or crime occurred there. Ask your real estate agent if they’re aware of any such disclosures for your home before closing.

Research the Land

Look into the history of the land itself. If there was a cemetery on the property previously, there may have been graves left behind. You can research the property history at your local library and historical societies.

Call a Local Medium

As a last resort, you may want to contact a reputable local medium, sensitive, or psychic. They may be able to tell if there are any spirits still residing in the home from past deaths. Take their insights with a grain of salt, however.

Conclusion

Discovering a death occurred in your home can be disturbing, but in most cases it’s nothing to overly worry about. Focus instead on making new happy memories in your home going forward. With some research and conversations with neighbors and local records offices, you can find out if and when a death occurred.