A Tennessee mansion promised Mike and Julie Harding a dream retirement. Instead, their story descended into disappearance, murder and a criminal investigation — against the backdrop of a property locals believed was cursed.
In a recent CBS News segment previewing a “48 Hours” investigation, correspondent Peter Van Sant examined the couple’s purchase of the Celina home in 2019. Sheriff Brandon Boone described its troubled history, including a shooting, and said a real estate agent reportedly brought someone to the property to remove spirits.
Mike disappeared in 2022. According to CBS, someone posing as a real estate agent lured him to another house for heating and air conditioning work. He was shot four times at close range.
Investigators recovered his cellphone beneath his body, uncovering communications that led to a burner phone and the assailant. CBS reported that Julie, a California Highway Patrol captain who was in California when Mike was killed, knew about what happened. She was later found dead.
With Halloween approaching, stories like this feed a fascination with haunted houses and the spiritual realm. Scripture warns us that attempts to contact the dead or confront darkness through occult rituals carry real spiritual consequences.
Witchcraft, communication with the dead and demonic imagery receive a seasonal spotlight. God’s warnings against occult practices do not disappear when darkness becomes entertainment.
Order Alexander Pagani’s New Book, “Discerning the Demonic” on Amazon.com!
Christopher Reese, whose examination of hauntings was covered by Charisma, identifies genuine malicious hauntings as demonic activity. He urges people experiencing spiritual oppression to seek trusted pastors and mature Christians rather than mediums or psychics.
“Most people understandably fear being labeled ‘crazy’ or ‘attention-seeking,’” Reese wrote, explaining how isolation can prevent people from receiving help. His recommendations include prayer, repentance, removing occult objects and standing in Christ’s authority.
Pastor Vlad Savchuk has likewise warned about spiritual openings created through occult objects and practices. In a past teaching covered by Charisma, he identifies Ouija boards, tarot cards, witchcraft tools and objects used in New Age rituals as items Christians should remove. He emphasizes renouncing occult involvement and dedicating the home to God through prayer, Scripture and worship.
Jenny Weaver knows the danger firsthand.
In an interview with Charisma Media, the former witch described scratching behind her headboard, unexplained knocking and drawers opening. Attempts to cleanse the house through sage and other rituals made matters worse, she said.
“And all it did was literally draw them in,” Weaver said.
Weaver said freedom ultimately came through deliverance and surrender to Jesus Christ.
“They had a place in my life because I gave them a place,” she said of the demons.
Halloween’s fascination with darkness demands spiritual discernment. Christians must reject occult involvement, guard our homes and stand in Jesus Christ’s authority. Darkness is real, but His authority is greater.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
