Recent online searches have been asking, “Has Latoya Ammons passed away?” This question gained traction following the release of a popular Netflix movie based on her life. We can confirm that Latoya Ammons is alive and well.
This article will set the record straight, exploring the true story of the Ammons family, the terrifying events they endured, and where Latoya is today.
Is Latoya Ammons Still Alive? Setting the Record Straight
Contrary to the rumors, Latoya Ammons has not passed away. As of 2024, she is living a quiet and peaceful life, far from the supernatural events that once plagued her family. The confusion seems to stem from the renewed interest in her story after the Netflix movie, “The Deliverance,” was released.
Director Lee Daniels, who spoke with Latoya before making the film, described her as “lovely” and “at peace.” This confirmation from someone directly involved in the recent project provides the most reliable update on her well-being. The narrative surrounding Latoya Ammons is one of survival and resilience, not of a tragic ending.
The Woman Behind the Infamous Demon House Case
Before the headlines and the horror, Latoya Ammons was simply a mother trying to provide for her three children. In November 2011, she, along with her mother Rosa Campbell, moved into a rental home on Carolina Street in Gary, Indiana. They were an ordinary family looking for an affordable place to live.
At the time, her children were just seven, nine, and twelve years old. Their lives were normal and unremarkable until a series of bizarre and terrifying events began to unfold within the walls of their new home.
When Terror Began: The Haunting of 3860 Carolina Street
The First Signs of Something Wrong
The strange occurrences started subtly. In the dead of winter, swarms of large black flies would inexplicably cover their screened-in porch. At night, the family would hear footsteps ascending from the basement, followed by the creak of the kitchen door opening, only to find no one there.
Latoya’s mother, Rosa, even reported seeing a shadowy figure of a man pacing in the living room, leaving behind large, wet bootprints on the floor. These unsettling events were just the beginning of a terrifying ordeal.
The Night Everything Changed
On March 10, 2012, the family’s fear escalated dramatically. While gathered with friends and family to mourn a loved one, they witnessed Latoya’s 12-year-old daughter levitating unconsciously above her bed. The terrified group prayed until she descended.
Desperate for help, they reached out to local churches and clairvoyants. One psychic claimed their home was infested with over 200 demons, advising them to move. For the cash-strapped family, this was not an option.
The Children’s Disturbing Behavior
The children began to exhibit terrifying changes. Their eyes would bulge, and evil smiles would cross their faces as they spoke in deep, unnatural voices, making threats like, “It’s time to die,” and “I will kill you.”
Latoya’s youngest son was seen talking to an invisible boy about what it felt like to be killed. Her daughter heard voices telling her she wouldn’t live much longer. The paranormal activity became physical, with children reportedly being thrown by an unseen force and objects flying across rooms.
The Day Officials Became Believers
The Doctor’s Office Incident
On April 19, 2012, a terrified Latoya took her children to their family physician, Dr. Geoffrey Onyeukwu. In his two-decade career, he had never witnessed anything like it. Medical staff reported seeing her youngest son being lifted and thrown against a wall with no one touching him.
The chaos was so intense that multiple police officers and ambulances were called to the scene. A hospital psychiatrist later evaluated Latoya and found her to be of “sound mind.”
What the Case Workers Witnessed
The Department of Child Services (DCS) launched an investigation, initially suspecting child abuse. However, what they witnessed defied explanation. Case manager Valerie Washington and a registered nurse, Willie Lee Walker, were present when Latoya’s 9-year-old son walked backward up a wall and onto the ceiling.
He then flipped over his grandmother, landing on his feet, all while holding her hand. Both professionals were so shaken that they documented the event in their official reports, which contributed to nearly 800 pages of records on the case.
Police Investigation and Exorcisms
The evidence was so compelling that even law enforcement officials were convinced. Gary Police Captain Charles Austin, a 36-year veteran, stated, “I am a believer.” Other officers who visited the house reported radio malfunctions and capturing a ghostly voice on a recording.
Reverend Michael Maginot, a local Catholic priest, was called in to help. He performed three exorcisms on Latoya, with the final one ultimately bringing an end to her possession and the family’s torment.
Freedom and Recovery: Life After the Demon House
In May 2012, the Ammons family finally left the house on Carolina Street and moved to Indianapolis. The moment they left, all paranormal activity ceased. For Latoya, the most significant victory came in November 2012 when she regained full custody of her children.
She described it as “the happiest day of my life,” recalling how her children screamed and jumped for joy when they were reunited. The family focused on healing and rebuilding their lives, choosing privacy over the media spotlight that had descended upon them.
Where Is Latoya Ammons Now in 2024?
Today, Latoya Ammons continues to live a private life in Indianapolis. She has shown no desire to revisit the traumatic events of her past and has focused on moving forward with her family. Her children are now grown, and by all accounts, the family is doing well.
As confirmed by director Lee Daniels, Latoya has found peace after her terrifying ordeal. Her story is a powerful testament to human resilience in the face of unimaginable horror.
The Netflix Movie That Reignited Interest
In August 2024, Netflix released “The Deliverance,” a horror film directed by Lee Daniels and starring Andra Day. The movie is based on the Ammons family’s story, though it takes some creative liberties, such as renaming the main character to “Ebony Jackson.”
The film’s popularity sparked a new wave of interest in the case, leading many to wonder what happened to the real Latoya Ammons and her family. This renewed attention is the primary reason for the recent, incorrect rumors about her passing.
The Demon House Legacy
In 2014, the infamous demon house was purchased by paranormal investigator Zak Bagans of “Ghost Adventures” fame. He filmed a documentary titled “Demon House” on the property before having it demolished in 2016, citing safety concerns and a desire to stop the spread of the evil he believed was attached to it.
The Ammons haunting case remains one of the most well-documented instances of alleged demonic possession in modern history, backed by the testimony of multiple credible witnesses, including law enforcement and medical professionals. Latoya Ammons’ story, while terrifying, is ultimately one of survival. She is not a tragic figure from a ghost story; she is a survivor who found peace.
