When a group of 10 housemates began hearing strange and unexplained noises emanating from their basement, they initially suspected the presence of ghosts haunting their residence. However, the actuality of the situation turned out to be even more alarming.
Apart from the unsettling sounds and alarms, the tenants also noticed open drawers in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as lights being switched on in rooms they had not entered.
Driven by a mix of curiosity and fear, they traced the noises to the basement, leading them to a securely locked door. One of the housemates, Mark Hartman, disclosed to ABC News that on several occasions, his roommate Brett had encountered strange noises in the basement. However, each time Brett attempted to open a door in the basement, it remained locked.
During a subsequent exploration of the basement, Brett was astonished to come face-to-face with an unknown man. Startled, Brett inquired about the man’s identity, only to receive the name “Jeremy” in response, without any further explanation, as Jeremy swiftly exited the premises.
With the assistance of law enforcement, the group managed to force open the locked door, revealing a fully furnished bedroom complete with photographs, books, a television, and clothing. The realization dawned upon the Ohio State University students that Jeremy had been residing in their basement without authorization, using a side entrance to enter undetected.
It was later discovered that Jeremy’s cousin had previously lived in the house, providing him with access to the property. This chilling revelation unfolded in Columbus, Ohio, in 2013.
Subsequent to Jeremy’s discovery, the leasing company, NorthSteppe Reality, promptly changed the locks, although the tenants expressed concern over the company’s oversight of an unauthorized occupant in their residence.
The landlord posted a notice on the property requesting Jeremy to contact them, which he did later that evening before relocating his belongings from the room.
Jeremy had been utilizing a bathroom in the basement, along with a sink for potential laundry purposes. The residents believed he had not consumed their food or entered their personal quarters.
Mark highlighted to The Lantern that the house keys had not been updated from the previous year, lacking the “do not duplicate” label, potentially leaving the property vulnerable to unauthorized access. The tenants sought possible rent discounts and consulted student legal services.
Despite the unsettling situation, Jeremy was described as a “decent individual” by another housemate, Jimmy Alderman, who acknowledged the potential danger of the scenario but also noted that it could have escalated to a more severe outcome.