Maginot said usually spiritual objects or a deliverance, a type of prayer, takes care of the problem, and he has not had to do any recent exorcisms related to the property.

Neighbors living next door to the demon house lot have reported no issues of paranormal activity, though they have seen plenty of human activity buzzing around their neighborhood. They said they still see people pull up to the property to take photos.

“I believe, whatever it was, it was something to do with that family,” said one neighbor who asked to remain unidentified. “Whatever happened with that family, the problems started when they moved in and when they left the house it ended. We've been here for more than 40 years. I've seen renters in and out of that house for years.”

'I've never felt anything like that'

Brian Miller, former Hammond police chief and current director of public safety at Purdue University Northwest, was among the police officers who dug in the dirt under the stairs, where the portal was said to have originated.

“It was creepy,” Miller said. “I was concerned about what we might dig up, but we didn't find any remains.”