Perched atop a hill in the affluent Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, stands a majestic yet ominous mansion, its grandeur overshadowed by a chilling history. The Los Feliz Murder Mansion, also known as the Perelson House, has remained eerily vacant since a tragic double murder-suicide in 1959, its presence a stark reminder of the dark secrets it holds.
The Tragic Events of 1959
On the fateful night of December 6, 1959, Dr. Harold Perelson, a prominent cardiologist and medical school professor, succumbed to a sudden and inexplicable psychosis. In a fit of rage, he brutally murdered his wife, Lillian, bludgeoning her to death with a hammer. Their eldest daughter, Judith, was alerted to the commotion and escaped the gruesome scene, seeking refuge with a neighbor. However, Dr. Perelson’s murderous rampage did not end there. Upon Judith’s escape, he turned his weapon on their younger daughter, Tamara, severely injuring her before fleeing to the mansion’s attic.
Hours later, police discovered Dr. Perelson’s lifeless body in the attic, having consumed a lethal concoction of water, acid, and tranquilizer pills. The once vibrant and peaceful home was now tainted by tragedy, its walls echoing with the whispers of a family torn apart by violence and despair.
A Mansion Steeped in Mystery
The Los Feliz Murder Mansion has remained vacant and untouched ever since, its decaying grandeur serving as a stark reminder of the tragic events that transpired within its walls. The property has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations, with many reporting strange occurrences and eerie sensations within the mansion’s confines.
Paranormal Encounters
In 1969, a group of teenagers exploring the mansion reported seeing a ghostly figure roaming the halls. The figure was described as a tall, slender woman with flowing white hair. The teenagers fled the mansion in terror, never to return.
In 1985, a paranormal investigator team conducted an investigation of the mansion and recorded several EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) recordings. The recordings captured voices whispering, footsteps echoing, and doors slamming shut.
In 2009, a documentary crew filming a paranormal investigation of the mansion was forced to evacuate after the crew members began experiencing intense headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
The Mansion’s Legacy
The Los Feliz Murder Mansion remains a popular destination for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts. The mansion’s haunting past continues to captivate the imaginations of locals and true crime enthusiasts alike.
The mansion’s future remains uncertain. The property has been sold and resold several times over the years. In 2020, the mansion was sold for $2.35 million to an LLC represented by Luxmanor Custom Home Builders CEO Ephi Zlotnitsky. The buyer’s plans for the property remain unclear, but the mansion’s haunting past continues to loom large.
Overall, the Los Feliz Murder Mansion stands as a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of violence. The mansion’s haunting past continues to fascinate and terrify, its presence a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk within even the most opulent of settings.
