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Alma Fielding and the Thornton Heath Haunting

October 12, 2026 • 1h 7m

Summary

⏱️ 5 min read

Overview

In this episode, Alina covers the fascinating 1938 case of Alma Fielding and the Thornton Heath poltergeist. After experiencing violent supernatural activity in her London home, 34-year-old Alma contacted newspapers and caught the attention of paranormal researcher Nandor Fodor. What began as apparent poltergeist phenomena—flying objects, mysterious handprints, and unexplained crashes—evolved into increasingly bizarre manifestations, including live animals appearing from nowhere. As Fodor's investigation deepened, he discovered evidence of both genuine phenomena and deliberate fraud, leading to questions about trauma, psychological issues, and the true nature of Alma's experiences that remain unanswered nearly 90 years later.

The Haunting Begins: Terror in Thornton Heath

In February 1938, Alma Fielding's London home became the site of terrifying supernatural activity. After being bedridden with severe pelvic pain, Alma and her husband Les experienced glasses flying off shelves, a mysterious six-fingered handprint on their mirror, and objects hurling themselves across rooms. The activity was so violent and persistent that Alma reached out to the Sunday Pictorial newspaper, setting in motion an investigation that would consume her life for the next year.

  • Alma Fielding went to the press in February 1938 claiming her London home was haunted by violent poltergeist activity
  • She discovered a six-fingered handprint on a mirror—terrifying because nobody in the house had six fingers
  • While bedridden with illness, Alma and Les were woken by glasses flying off nightstands and smashing against walls
  • An egg flew down the hallway and out the front door as soon as newspaper reporters arrived
" Come to my house. There are things going on here I cannot explain. "
" I feel some terrible climax is approaching. We shall stay up all night to see it through. I hope it comes soon. Our nerves cannot stand much more. "

Enter Nandor Fodor: The Skeptical Believer

Hungarian-born paranormal researcher Nandor Fodor from the International Institute for Psychical Research took on the case, desperate to prove his commitment to supernatural investigation after being accused of cynicism. His assistant witnessed wine glasses jumping from Alma's hands and shattering in midair, objects appearing from nowhere, and Alma's own hairbrush—left at home—flying at her head during testing at the Institute. Fodor became convinced something genuine was happening, declaring "there is certainly no fraud" in his initial reports.

  • Fodor had been accused of being cynical about the supernatural and needed a case to prove his belief
  • His assistant Lawrence Evans witnessed objects flying without explanation and checked Alma's racing pulse, confirming her genuine terror
  • During controlled testing at the Institute, Alma's own hairbrush from home flew at her head after she'd been thoroughly searched
  • Fodor declared 'There has not been a greater or truer ghost story than this one for many years'
" I unhesitatingly label it supernatural. "

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