Overview
A recent episode of the Paranomaly Zone podcast revisited one of Wisconsin’s best-known alleged hauntings: the Tallman House case in Horicon, a story the show’s hosts Patrick and Mike, also known as Ranch Handy, described as a timeline of escalating disturbances that drove a family from their home. According to the account, Alan and Deborah Tallman moved with their two children, Danny and Maryann, into what they believed would be their “dream home” on South Larrabee Street in April 1986, only to encounter a two-year stretch of reported phenomena that they say culminated in terror and abandonment of the property in January 1988.
Reported Activity and the “Cursed” Bunk Bed
The podcast framed the case around a specific object the family believed was linked to the activity: a used bunk bed purchased from a second-hand furniture store in early 1987. Initially stored in the basement, the bed was later moved into the children’s bedroom in May 1987, after which the family said the disturbances intensified. Among the incidents described were objects moving on their own, including a kitchen chair that reportedly rocked without cause and a clock radio that changed stations autonomously. Danny also claimed he saw a suitcase zip across the floor and return beneath his bed, a detail the hosts presented as part of a broader pattern of unexplained events.
The episode also highlighted what the Tallmans described as physical and emotional fallout. The children and Alan reportedly experienced a series of illnesses, including severe ear infections and chickenpox, which Deborah said were unusual for their household. The family cat was also said to behave erratically, climbing walls and crashing into objects before being rehomed. In the podcast’s retelling, the activity was not limited to sounds or movement; family members described seeing “flames” on doors and windows, along with a figure with green eyes and red pupils in the garage.
Witness Accounts, Spiritual Response, and Police Involvement
One of the most striking elements of the case, as discussed on the podcast, was the repeated appearance of a 4-foot-tall old woman with long black hair who was described as “glow[ing] like fire.” Alan Tallman reportedly said the entity spoke to him, first saying “come here” and then threatening, “You are dead.” The family also sought help from Rev. Wayne Dobratz of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, who blessed the house and provided spiritual counsel. At the same time, Horicon Police Chief Doug Glomen investigated the claims and, according to the podcast, concluded that the family appeared sincere in their reporting.
The story also drew outside attention from journalist James Nelson of the Milwaukee Sentinel, who covered the case in part to counter what the podcast described as more exaggerated local rumors. That media coverage helped turn the Tallman case into a regional paranormal landmark. The family ultimately fled the house on January 9, 1988, after what they described as a final surge of alarming sights and sounds.
Aftermath and Lasting Reputation
In an effort to end the disturbances, the Tallmans reportedly had the bunk bed destroyed and buried in a private landfill before relocating to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The podcast noted that the activity allegedly stopped after the move, adding to the case’s reputation as one of the state’s most enduring paranormal accounts. While skeptics continue to point to stress, environmental factors, or other natural explanations, the episode emphasized the consistency of the family’s testimony and the seriousness with which local officials treated the claims. The story later gained wider recognition through Unsolved Mysteries, helping cement the Tallman House haunting as a fixture of Wisconsin folklore.
