Ways to find out if someone died in your house
Photo by Rene Asmussen
1. Look up your address on social media and Google
You can typically discover if a newsworthy event caused a death in your home by conducting a basic Google search. It might be worthwhile to search for your address on Twitter and Facebook. Sometimes, information related to their news stories such as addresses is posted by newscasters and networks.
2. Search newspaper archives
You can search newspaper archives to discover information about deaths that occurred in your home. Older homes are particularly prone to this. Search for items such as death announcements and obituaries, in addition to reports on criminal activity.
3. Search online obituaries and death notices
Families post obituaries and death notices not only in printed newspapers. Submitting listings to online-only publications, often associated with local newspapers has become a common practice for surviving relatives these days.
Visiting your local newspapers’ websites or searching a database like legacy.com can help you find obituaries and death notices.
4. Ask the homeowner or real estate agent
By simply asking the seller, you may obtain the information you need if you are contemplating purchasing a house. Sellers may be required to inform buyers if someone died in the home, depending on the state.
But, it never hurts to ask about any deaths on the property, even if you're thinking about renting a home.
5. Talk to the neighbors
Local residents may have valuable information about the house, including any deaths that may have occurred.
Talking to your neighbors can teach you a lot, whether you already live in the house or are considering moving in. Find out how much they know about the property and its former inhabitants.
6. Try HouseCreep.com
A database called HouseCreep.com may help you get some information on thousands of properties that are considered “stigmatized”. Properties where deaths have occurred, as well as those known to have a criminal history, including drug activity and association with sex offenders.
By the way, properties with reported paranormal activity are also listed by HouseCreep.
7. Visit the vital records office
If the information you're searching for cannot be found, you may proceed directly to the vital records office, for how to request a death certificate.
Either in person or online, visit your nearby office. You can find public listings of death certificates there. Check if your address is mentioned as the place of death on any death certificates.
8. Try DiedInHouse.com
The website DiedInHouse.com is entirely devoted to assisting you in determining whether anyone has passed away in your home. This comprises homicide and suicide, along with unintentional and innate fatalities.
9. Try NeighborWho.com
NeighborWho.com looks for the complete history of a house, comprising of all its past proprietors, rather than just the present one.
If you’re concerned about the value of a home, NeighborWho might be more useful as it provides information on the home’s last purchase price and property taxes. With a subscription, you have unlimited searches and can also view all of your neighbors' homes.
10. Hire a private investigator
You can hire a professional private investigator if you prefer someone else to do the work or if you haven't found any results on your own.
You can even perform a spiritual investigation if you're interested in exploring any potential paranormal activity or spiritual energy associated with a death on the property, a spiritual investigation is an alternative approach to uncovering information about your home's history. You can conduct this type of investigation either by hiring professionals such as psychics or mediums.
Why you should check if someone died in your house
Being aware of the events that have occurred in your home can assist you in making informed decisions and being more sensitive to the energy of your living area.
The main reasons for finding this out are as follows:
- Emotional impact: Living in a house where someone has passed away may evoke feelings of unease, sadness, or discomfort for some individuals. You can make a decision about whether you are comfortable living in the house by being aware of the property's history and addressing these emotions.
- Paranormal concerns: There are those who hold the belief that when someone dies in a house, it can lead to a persistent supernatural presence or unusual occurrences. Understanding whether someone has passed away in your home can provide insight and aid in addressing any unexplained experiences or feelings.
- Legal considerations: In some areas, the law mandates that sellers reveal particular details about a property's past such as occurrences of death. For both buyers and sellers, it is crucial to comprehend these disclosure laws and their potential impact on the property's value.
- Cultural and historical significance: Your home may gain depth and significance when you discover fascinating stories or cultural connections from the history of the property. Enhancing your appreciation for the property and helping you preserve its unique character can be achieved by understanding its historical aspects.
- Community connection: Discovering the individuals who have resided and passed away in your dwelling may cultivate a feeling of attachment to your locality and its past. Your understanding of the area and the lives of those who came before you can be deepened by this knowledge.
Finding out if someone died in your home
If you conclude that residing in a house with a history of death is not suitable for you after careful consideration, search for other housing alternatives.
But, don't panic if you discover that someone has passed away in your home. It's unlikely that property values will be affected if there was a death in the home, so keep this in mind when buying or selling a home.
Sometimes, the exception to this rule occurs if the death was violent or unusual. If such an incident occurred in your house, a quick Google search of your address would usually reveal it quickly.
