You’ve probably seen those creepy TikToks or YouTube videos where people discover strangers secretly living in their homes. This is called phrogging, and the internet is full of these stories.
We hear every day about someone who caught strangers in the bedroom, some in attics, and some in basements — basically anywhere phroggers can hide.
In this blog, we’re going to explore shocking real phrogging cases and the impact these situations have on victims.
Real-Life Phrogging Cases That Shocked the World
Here are the real phrogging examples.
#1. Daniel LaPlante
Source: All That’s Interesting
In 1986, 17-year-old Daniel LaPlante developed an obsession with Tina Bowen, a fellow teenager in Pepperell, Massachusetts. He secretly entered the Bowen family home and hid in a small space behind a cupboard.
Over time, LaPlante began to torment the family by making strange noises, moving items, and leaving cryptic messages written in condiments like ketchup. The Bowens initially thought these events were supernatural.
The situation escalated when LaPlante, dressed in a Native American-style jacket and armed with a hatchet, confronted the family. He held them hostage but fled when Tina managed to escape and call for help.
Police later discovered that LaPlante had been living within the walls of the Bowen home for weeks, accessing different areas through crawl spaces.
After being arrested and released on bail, LaPlante committed a horrific crime. He broke into another home, where he murdered a pregnant woman and her two young children.
#2. The Denver Spider-Man
Image Source: Morbidology
Back in 1941, a man named Philip Peters was living alone in Denver, Colorado, while his wife was in the hospital. What he didn’t know was that someone else had secretly moved into his house — a man named Theodore Coneys. Coneys was homeless and decided to hide in a tiny attic space above Philip’s home.
For weeks, Coneys stayed hidden, sneaking out only to steal food from the kitchen. But one day, Philip caught him. In a panic, Coneys attacked Philip, hitting him with a heavy stove tool, and sadly, Philip didn’t survive.
Police searched the house but found no signs of an intruder. That’s because Coneys had crawled back into the tiny attic space, which was so cramped it was hard to believe anyone could live there.
Months later, police noticed strange noises and odd smells in the house. After watching the home for a while, they caught Coneys sneaking back into the attic. Because the space was so small, police nicknamed him “The Denver Spider-Man.” He was arrested and sent to prison for the rest of his life.
This case still creeps people out today and is one of the first that comes to mind when discussing famous phrogging cases.
#3. The Case of the Woman Living in a Man’s Closet
In 2008, a man in Japan noticed that food was disappearing from his kitchen. Suspecting a thief, he installed security cameras that sent images to his phone.
One day, the cameras captured movement in his home while he was away. He alerted the police, who arrived and searched the house. To their surprise, they found a 58-year-old woman named Tatsuko Horikawa hiding in the top shelf of a closet.
She had been living there unnoticed for about a year. Horikawa was homeless and had sneaked into the house when the owner left a door unlocked. She managed to live quietly in the small space, coming out only when the homeowner was away to eat and bathe.
#4. Basement Bedfellow
In March 2021, a couple in Seattle heard strange noises coming from their basement. Worried it might be a burglar, they called the police. When officers arrived and searched the house, they found a 56-year-old man named Thomas Gene Lewellen hiding in the basement.
He was homeless, hungry, and had broken in looking for food. He brought his belongings with him and made a bed, planning to stay for a while. For two days, he stayed hidden, sneaking food at night and listening to the couple as they moved around upstairs.
Although he was first charged with burglary, the charge was later changed to trespassing, and he was released by the end of the month.
This case shows how easy it is for someone to live unnoticed in a home for days. Even though no one was hurt, the couple was left feeling uneasy and unsafe.
#5. The Mauricio Damian-Guerrero Case
In 2022, 20-year-old Mauricio Damian-Guerrero became obsessed with an OnlyFans model he found online. At first, he only followed her online, but things got worse when he found out where she lived in New Hampshire.
He reportedly stole her keys and started sneaking into her house, hiding in the attic. Late at night, he would come down and secretly film her while she was sleeping.
The woman’s mother became suspicious after hearing strange noises from the attic and called the police. In February, officers arrested Damian-Guerrero as he climbed out of the attic onto the roof.
Police found videos of the woman on his phone and learned he had entered the house at least four times. He also admitted that he planned to put a tracking device on her car. He was charged with burglary but released on bail before the trial. The woman later got a restraining order against him.
This case shows how stalking can turn dangerous and how important it is to stay alert. Even though the woman wasn’t physically hurt, the fear of having her personal space violated caused serious emotional distress.
Psychological and Emotional Impact on Victims of Phrogging Cases
Let’s discuss the real-life phrogging stories’ impact.
Constant Fear and Paranoia
Once someone realizes that a stranger has been living in their home, fear becomes a part of their daily life. They start to question everything. Every noise, every creak, and every unfamiliar sound feels like a potential threat.
For some, this fear doesn’t go away — even after the phrogger is caught. They wonder, “What if it happens again?” This constant fear makes people feel like prisoners in their own homes. Some people even develop paranoia, believing someone is still watching them — even when no one is there.
Victims also find it difficult to sleep at night, with every small sound triggering anxiety. Over time, this kind of stress can lead to long-term mental health issues like chronic anxiety or panic attacks.
Loss of Privacy and Sense of Safety
Your home is supposed to be your safe space — a place where you can relax and feel comfortable. But phrogging cases takes away that feeling of safety. Knowing that a stranger was secretly living in your home can leave you feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Victims often report that it feels like their privacy has been “violated.” They feel uncomfortable using certain rooms, like attics, basements, or closets where phroggers are often found. Some people can’t even use these areas again without feeling uneasy.
This feeling of “being watched” doesn’t disappear easily. People start to second-guess whether their doors are locked or if their windows are really secure. The feeling of being unsafe in a place that should offer the most protection can have a lasting emotional impact.
Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety is one of the most common emotional impacts of phrogging cases. People start to overthink everything, wondering if they missed any signs that someone was in their home. The fear of “what could have happened” also adds to their stress.
For families with children, parents may become extra cautious, checking every room before bed. They might even create new “security routines” like checking every closet or attic space before sleeping. While these actions are meant to provide peace of mind, they can quickly turn into habits fueled by anxiety.
Anxiety can affect a person’s physical health as well. People might experience headaches, muscle tension, or trouble sleeping. In severe cases, some victims seek therapy to help them process what happened.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
For some victims, the experience of phrogging is so traumatic that it leaves them with PTSD. This condition happens when a person experiences an intense, life-changing event that affects their mental health.
For phrogging victims, the trauma comes from knowing that someone was living near them without their knowledge. Some victims discover the phrogger after coming face-to-face with them, which can be even more terrifying. If the phrogger displayed violent behavior, this can make the trauma even worse.
Signs of PTSD in phrogging cases might include:
- Nightmares about someone being in their home.
- Avoiding certain areas of the house, like attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
- Sudden feelings of panic or fear when they hear unfamiliar noises.
- Flashbacks to the moment they discovered the phrogger.
PTSD doesn’t just go away on its own. It often requires therapy or counseling — especially for people who feel trapped in fear or isolation.
Emotional Damage for Children
Children are especially vulnerable to the psychological effects of phrogging. Kids rely on their home to be a safe place, so learning that a stranger was hiding inside shatters their security.
Many parents report that their children develop fears of “monsters in the closet” or “strangers in the house” after a phrogger is discovered. But unlike imaginary fears, this one is based on something real.
Embarrassment and Shame
Many victims of phrogging cases feel embarrassed after the incident. They blame themselves for “not noticing” the phrogger sooner or for not having better security at home. This self-blame is common but unfair. Phroggers are experts at staying hidden, and most people wouldn’t think to check attics, crawlspaces, or behind walls on a regular basis.
Sometimes, victims avoid telling friends or family because they feel ashamed. They fear being judged for “not locking their doors” or “not paying attention.” But in reality, phrogging can happen to anyone, and it’s not the victim’s fault.
This embarrassment leads to isolation, where victims avoid talking about what happened. However, sharing their story with others or seeking support from friends and family can help them overcome these feelings.
Final Thoughts
So, we’ve covered the shocking phrogging cases and the deep emotional impact it has on victims. If you want to protect yourself from becoming a victim, take action immediately.
Start by securing all entry points, like doors, windows, and crawlspace access. Install motion-activated security cameras and smart locks to keep track of unusual movement in and around your home. Also, make it a habit to check hidden areas like attics, basements, and unused storage spaces from time to time.
At the end of the day, your home should be a place where you feel safe and at peace.