TERROR IN CHURCHILL’S GROVE: The Murder House on Camp Avenue No Trick-or-Treater Dares Visit

Summary

This episode of *Weird Darkness* delves into the eerie and tragic story of the Simon Peter Nelson murders. Set in the quiet neighborhood of Church Hills Grove, the tale explores the mysterious and unsettling presence surrounding the Nelson house, where paranormal activity and the legacy of violence still linger after decades. As the narrator reflects on the history, the unsolved crimes, and the strange occurrences that persist, they question whether the terror of January 7th, 1978, continues to haunt the house, or if the spirits of the victims have finally found peace.

Takeaways

• 😀 The house on Camp Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, was the site of a horrific mass murder in 1978, where Simon Peter Nelson killed his six children and the family dog.
• 😀 Despite the brutal nature of the crime, neighbors didn't hear anything, leaving many to speculate about the eerie silence surrounding the murders.
• 😀 The house's tragic history has turned it into a local legend, with rumors of paranormal activity and strange occurrences in the house over the years.
• 😀 Church Hills Grove, the neighborhood where the murder took place, is a seemingly peaceful area, but the trauma of the crime still lingers in the community's memory.
• 😀 Simon Peter Nelson had a troubled marriage, and his wife Anne was contemplating divorce when the murders occurred. He believed that killing his children was a form of retaliation for his failed marriage.
• 😀 The police arrived at the crime scene after receiving an urgent call from Anne, who feared for the safety of her children. Officers discovered the gruesome aftermath.
• 😀 The murders were committed using a hunting knife and a rubber mallet, and the children were bludgeoned and stabbed while they slept.
• 😀 Simon Peter Nelson's actions were partly influenced by his troubled upbringing and his father's suicide. Nelson pleaded insanity, claiming he had no memory of the murders.
• 😀 Despite the tragic events, the house remained on the market for years, with some buyers drawn to its dark history while others were repelled by it.
• 😀 The episode concludes with reflections on the possibility of the house still harboring paranormal activity and the idea that the ghosts of the children or Nelson himself may still haunt the place.

Q & A

What was the significance of the house on Camp Avenue in Church Hills Grove?

The house on Camp Avenue is infamous due to a tragic mass murder that occurred there in 1978. Six children and the family dog were brutally killed by their father, Simon Peter Nelson, in the dead of night. The house has since become a source of local lore, with rumors of paranormal activity and a chilling history that haunts the neighborhood.

Why do some people avoid the house on Camp Avenue, while others are drawn to it?

The house is feared and avoided by many locals due to its dark history of murder, with some residents crossing the street to avoid its shadow. However, others are intrigued by the house's tragic past and the rumors of paranormal activity. Some potential buyers are even drawn to the house because of its eerie reputation, despite its horrific history.

What role does the neighborhood of Church Hills Grove play in the story?

Church Hills Grove is a close-knit, seemingly idyllic neighborhood where the tragic murders took place. The area represents the juxtaposition of suburban tranquility and the hidden horror of the crime, with residents trying to move on from the past while still haunted by the memories of the massacre.

How did the murder of Simon Peter Nelson's children unfold?

On the morning of January 9, 1978, Simon Peter Nelson murdered his six children using a hunting knife and rubber mallet while they slept in their beds. The crime was discovered after a welfare check was called on the house. The children were found bludgeoned and stabbed beyond recognition, and the scene was described as eerily quiet, with no one having heard anything during the attack.

What was the condition of Simon Peter Nelson before the murders?

Before the murders, Simon Peter Nelson was struggling in his personal and professional life. His marriage was deteriorating, and he had been out of work. However, he had recently made efforts to improve himself, including losing weight and cleaning up his appearance, in an attempt to salvage his marriage with his wife Anne.

What was the nature of Simon Peter Nelson's relationship with his wife, Anne?

Simon Peter Nelson's relationship with Anne was strained, with reports suggesting she was considering divorce. Anne had allegedly consulted a lawyer and was preparing to end their marriage. Their relationship had become increasingly tense, and Nelson's mental state was further exacerbated by Anne's decision to leave him.

How did Simon Peter Nelson react when he learned of his wife’s intention to divorce him?

Upon learning that Anne was seeking a divorce, Simon Peter Nelson became distraught and desperate to save his marriage. He reached out to friends for help, but despite his efforts, the situation escalated. It seems that Nelson's emotional breakdown contributed to his decision to murder his children in a fit of rage and despair.

What was the police response when the murder was discovered?

When the police arrived at the Nelson home, they discovered the bodies of the six children, and the scene was described as eerily quiet and unsettling. Officer Steve Puriges, who was first on the scene, described the atmosphere as 'smelling like death,' indicating the overwhelming sense of horror in the house. The police then moved to arrest Simon Peter Nelson, who had already been apprehended in Milwaukee for assaulting Anne.

What happened to Simon Peter Nelson after his arrest?

After his arrest, Simon Peter Nelson was charged with the murder of his six children. During his trial, Nelson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming that he was temporarily driven insane by the apparition of his deceased father. He was ultimately convicted of the murders and sentenced to 100 to 200 years in prison for each count of first-degree murder.

What is the current state of the house on Camp Avenue?

The house on Camp Avenue remains standing, and although it has been sold and rented out several times, it has not had long-term tenants. The house continues to be a symbol of tragedy and intrigue in the neighborhood. Some past owners reported experiencing paranormal activity, including objects moving on their own, which further fuels the house's eerie reputation. The house remains a part of the local legend, with rumors of ghostly sounds, like a child’s swing creaking on windless nights.