Could Someone Be Phrogging Your House?
You might think phrogging — someone secretly crashing at your place without you knowing — sounds like a made-up story, straight out of the award-winning movie "Parasite." But it's real! As unbelievable as it may seem, more than just a few people have discovered uninvited guests bunking down in their homes. These incidents often become known after homeowners notice odd noises, missing items or other strange goings-on. Let's dive into some fascinating phrogging cases — and talk about how to prevent a similar situation in your own home..
One Famous Case
One of the most infamous tales of phrogging involves a guy named Theodore Coneys, who earned the nickname "The Denver Spider Man." Back in 1941, Coneys was a down-on-his-luck 59-year-old who decided to secretly take up residence in the attic of an old acquaintance's house in Denver. What started as a desperate move for shelter quickly spiraled into a living nightmare.
Coneys hid out in the attic, sneaking downstairs for food when the coast was clear. But when the homeowner Philip Peters discovered his presence, things turned deadly. Coneys ended up murdering Peters and then slithered back into the shadows, living undetected for months before the police finally cracked the case.
Other Cases That Made Headlines
Theodore Coneys isn't the only one who took the concept of being a houseguest way too far. Let's look at a few other memorable phrogging escapades:
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Daniel LaPlante: This guy turned up the terror dial in 1986 by secretly living in the walls of a family home in Massachusetts. Not content with just lurking, LaPlante started taunting the family by moving things around and leaving creepy messages. Authorities eventually caught him, but LaPlante unfortunately went on to commit even more sinister crimes.
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Quamine Taylor: In 2012, this guy took his fandom a little too far when he broke into rapper Diddy's mansion in the Hamptons and made himself at home for 24 hours. He even helped himself to some of Diddy's snacks. This wasn't his first rodeo either — he'd been busted for a similar stunt back in 2001.
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John Dubis: In 2013, Dubis managed to camp out in the pool house of none other than Jennifer Lopez's Hamptons home for a whole week. Not only did he live the high life, but he also snapped some pics for Facebook before security finally nabbed him.
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Eduardo Leon: Leon decided to spend a night in Rihanna's Hollywood home in 2018. He even took the time to disable the alarm system before settling in. Rihanna's assistant cut the visit short by finding him the next day.
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George Michael: A woman lived under the floorboards of George Michael's London home for four days, right under his nose! She finally revealed herself, calling his name and giving him quite a surprise.
Do You Have a Phrogger?
The thought of someone phrogging in your home might send shivers down your spine, but if you pay close attention, some telltale signs could tip you off:
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Unexplained Noises: If you hear footsteps, thuds or creaks coming from parts of the house that should be empty, it might not be your imagination after all.
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Missing or Moved Items: If things aren't where you left them or seem to disappear entirely, it might not be a case of forgetfulness.
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Vanishing Snacks: If food keeps disappearing from your kitchen and it's not because of your midnight snack habit, take a closer look.
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Mysterious Utility Bills: If your water or electricity bills seem higher than usual, it might be because you're unknowingly sharing them.
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Random Items: Finding objects you didn't bring into your home? You might have more than just a clutter problem.
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Freaked-Out Pets: If your pets start acting strange — such as barking at nothing or refusing to enter certain areas — they might be picking up on something (or someone) you can't see.
Should You Be Worried?
Despite these spooky stories, phrogging cases rank in the pretty-rare category, so you can breathe easily. The idea of someone secretly living in your home definitely feels unsettling, but the odds of it happening to you are slim.
So, while it's always good to stay alert, there's no need to lose sleep over it - unless, of course, you start hearing those strange noises!
References: 6 celebrities who have been victims of 'phrogging' | Denver's Spider Man, 'The Ghost House of Denver' | How to Protect Your Home from the "Creeping" Threat of Phrogging | 7 Disturbing True Stories Of Phrogging, When People Unwittingly Shared Their Homes With Intruders
