Back in 2015, Dr. Ernst von Schwarz and his wife, actress Angela Oakenfold, fell in love with the stunning six-bedroom, 10,400-square foot Alfred Rosenheim Mansion in Los Angeles’ Country Club Park.
The house has been featured in several feature films, television shows, music videos — and it played a significant role in the first season of Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story” TV series. It’s from that show that the residence got its nickname, “The Murder House.”
Built in 1908 by L.A. architect Alfred Rosenheim, the home’s Italian brick exterior, Tiffany-stained windows and lighting fixtures and expansive views of Downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood sign are extraordinary.
The property has changed hands a few times throughout the years; its most long-term residents were said to be Catholic nuns, who lived in the house as a convent for decades.
Angela Oakenfold, right, and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” give a private tour of their home ahead of hosting a virtual paranormal investigating event Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The popular wooden staircase just inside the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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Dr. Ernst von Schwarz stands in the chapel that was built on to his Alfred Rosenheim Mansion. The house was used by Catholic nuns as a convent for decades. The chapel space was later used as a recording studio and now serves as storage for the couple.(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
“American Horror Story” fans will recognize this eerie basement room. It’s currently used for storage, but in the show, it wasn’t a space you wanted to be in. Even now, owners Ernst von Schwarz and Angela Oakenfold don’t spend much time in their basement.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
This is just one of six bathrooms located within the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion. This tub and space were used to film a memorable scene between actors Taissa Farmiga and Evan Peters on “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story”, are setting the mood for the virtual paranormal event they’re hosting in the house Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” are hosting a virtual paranormal investigation event live from their home Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold shows off the Tiffany glass in the parlour room and describes some of the paranormal activity that happens daily within the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold leads the way through the third story of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion. These are the bedrooms with the most activity. At night the owners and guests have reported hearing scratching noises or soft sobbing coming from the various bedrooms.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” have kept a lot of the original staples of the house including the gold leaf ceiling in the formal dining room.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The owners agree that this room probably has the most activity and its where guests have reported hearing the sounds of women crying. This room was also used as the bedroom for actress Taissa Farmiga in “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A look inside the dining room, which is currently being used as a sitting room, inside the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
As the owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” gave a private tour of their home, lights flickered along with conversation in old chandeliers like this one.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A rosary hangs in the main entry way of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dr. Ernst von Schwarz stands inside the chapel of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion and talks about finding a Bible in a hidden compartment in a cabinet in the dining room. The Bible contained a note written in Latin that read “The exorcism didn’t work.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A few lucky fans will be able to stay the night in the basement and join a small team of paranormal investigators during a livestream event happening Oct. 29-Nov. 1 from the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a. “The Murder House” from the first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold has set up some comfy accommodations and spooky decor for the lucky few who will will be able to stay the night in the basement and join a small team of paranormal investigators during a livestream event happening Oct. 29-Nov. 1 from the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a. “The Murder House” from the first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Outside of the lit up Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold, owner of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” exists the basement of the home during a recent tour.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold has set up some comfy accommodations and spooky decor for the lucky few who will will be able to stay the night in the basement and join a small team of paranormal investigators during a livestream event happening Oct. 29-Nov. 1 from the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a. “The Murder House” from the first season of “American Horror Story.” (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold has set up some comfy accommodations and spooky decor for the lucky few who will will be able to stay the night in the basement and join a small team of paranormal investigators during a livestream event happening Oct. 29-Nov. 1 from the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a. “The Murder House” from the first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold has set up some comfy accommodations and spooky decor for the lucky few who will will be able to stay the night in the basement and join a small team of paranormal investigators during a livestream event happening Oct. 29-Nov. 1 from the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a. “The Murder House” from the first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Current owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” will host a virtual paranormal investigating event live from their home Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A look from the patio to the outside of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold. owner of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” takes a tour through the back staircase of the home to the third floor.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Fans take some pictures in front of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” on Friday, October 23, 2020.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A back staircase in the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion that leads to the third story and basement of the house.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold has set up some comfy accommodations and spooky decor for the lucky few who will will be able to stay the night in the basement and join a small team of paranormal investigators during a livestream event happening Oct. 29-Nov. 1 from the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a. “The Murder House” from the first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold shines a light into a room that’s filled with just closets. The hole in the wall goes to absolutely nowhere but the area could have been used for storage or confessionals during the time when the nuns were residents.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A back staircase in the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion that leads to the third story and basement of the house.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
One of the six bedrooms inside the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” give a private tour ahead of their virtual paranormal investigation event which will take place Oct. 29-Nov. 1. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A back staircase in the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion that leads to the third story and basement of the house.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
One of the six bedrooms inside the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold leads the way through the third story of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion. These are the bedrooms with the most activity. At night the owners and guests have reported hearing scratching noises or soft sobbing coming from the various bedrooms.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
A back staircase in the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion that leads to the third story and basement of the house.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Inside the front door of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.” The home is filled with Tiffany stained glass, installed by its original owner in 1908. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold, right, and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” give a private tour of their home ahead of hosting a virtual paranormal investigating event Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The popular wooden staircase just inside the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
As the owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” gave a private tour of their home, lights flickered along with conversation in old chandeliers like this one.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The popular wooden staircase just inside the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story.”
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Original Tiffany glass doors inside the parlour room inside the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” give a private tour ahead of their virtual paranormal investigation event which will take place Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
As the owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” gave a private tour of their home, lights flickered along with conversation in old chandeliers and fixtures like this one.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
One of the many fireplaces within the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion. Owners Angela Oakenfold and Ernst von Schwarz, said they’ve found a ton of little compartments hidden throughout the house, including some pieces that open on this mantle.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold, right, and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” give a private tour of their home ahead of hosting a virtual paranormal investigating event Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Skylar Simmons and her mom Crystal Collins are visiting from Leesville, Louisiana, and take some pictures in front of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” on Friday, October 23, 2020.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
An outside look at the decor upon the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion in Los Angeles.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” is an attraction in this Los Angeles neighborhood.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Oakenfold and Ernst von Schwarz, owners of the Alfred Rosenheim Mansion, a.k.a “The Murder House,” from Ryan Murphy’s first season of “American Horror Story,” give a private tour ahead of their virtual paranormal investigation event which will take place Oct. 29-Nov. 1.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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The owners of the home are now allowing the general public inside for a look and a virtual paranormal investigation. A production crew set up 15 cameras throughout the home and the event will be done pay-per-view style, which allows three days of 24-hour virtual access to the house as well as all of its Halloween-themed activities. Special guests joining the livestream are scheduled to include exorcist Bishop James Long, psychic and white witch Patti Negri, vampire expert Michelle Belanger, historian and Halloween expert Lisa Morton, psychiatrist Dr. Waguih Ishak and more.
The event kicks off at dusk on Thursday, Oct. 29, and continues until sunset on Sunday, Nov. 1. Tickets are on sale for $25 at themurderhouse.com. A few early-bird ticket buyers were selected to stay overnight in the basement and join a small group of paranormal investigators for the event. Dr. von Schwarz, a cardiologist in Los Angeles, plans to hook up the in-home guests up to heart monitors to check their heart rates throughout the evening should they react to any sort of paranormal experience.
Despite coming to embrace that their home is an attraction in the neighborhood, the couple insists they were unaware of the popularity of “American Horror Story”; the couple filed a lawsuit in 2018 contending they were not informed about the show or its passionate fans, who they say have shown up uninvited at the property.
“We knew nothing of about that show … we’d never seen it,” von Schwarz said. “We just fell in love with the house and then all of a sudden people were coming in the middle of the night and knocking on the windows and on the doors asking for Tate (a main character on the show played by actor Evan Peters).”
The couple says they were surprised about something else: ghosts.
“When we spent our first night here, we just had a bed and some other smaller stuff, nothing else in the house,” von Schwarz recalled. “When we went to sleep, we heard this huge bang, like as if a body fell on the floor and then a dragging sound. After a few minutes, we heard it again. Three times in a row.”
The couple called the Los Angeles Police Department, who entered the house to check for an intruder as a helicopter hovered overhead. They didn’t find anyone else in the home.
“We had similar things happen and we’d call the cops and finally the main officer said it was ‘probably ghost activity,’” von Schwarz added. “I mean, you don’t expect a police officer to say something like that.”
With his background in science and medicine, von Schwarz said he didn’t believe in ghosts. He looked for scientific explanations for the strange happenings in the home, such as old wiring in the walls or toxic substances like mold, formaldehyde or carbon monoxide.
“But the definition of paranormal is that you actually can’t explain it,” he said. “And we couldn’t explain this.”
Oakenfold said she’d hear whispers and footsteps when she was home alone at night with the children, and she would call von Schwarz home from work because it frightened her. As well, von Schwarz said he had an experience in the basement: He said something tapped his shoulder, and he thought it was Oakenfold. When he turned around, he saw and felt a shadowy female figure brush by him.
“I still won’t go down to the basement on my own,” Oakenfold said.
The energy is never really negative, Oakenfold insists, so she doesn’t believe what’s in the house is evil. But she claims the entities like to mess with her. She’s a tidy person who has arranged the furniture in a particular way within the home, but she said she’d often discover her decor askew and bedding wrinkled, even in locked rooms.
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“She’d blame me,” von Schwarz said with a laugh.
Then this happened: As we were doing our interview and taking photographs in the entryway of the home, several of us began receiving a series of texts in a group text all at once. A bunch of emojis sent one after the other in rapid-fire. They were coming from Oakenfold’s iPhone.
She took the phone out of her pocket, thinking it was an accidental string of texts. However, as we walked upstairs, the emojis started again: a cursing lion, a mean-looking dragon, a skull and a surprised bear.
“I’m not doing it, I swear,” she said, laughing as she held up her phone to show that her lock screen was on as the emojis continued to be delivered to the group.
That wasn’t the only unusual experience.
While talking to von Schwarz and Oakenfold in the entryway, I felt something softly touch my left ear three different times, almost as if someone leaned in for a whisper. As I transcribed the interview from my digital recorder there are several instances where the recorder — as well as a digital transcribing program — picked up what sounds like faint “yeah” or “OK” answers to questions that didn’t come from someone in our party of five.
The couple said they found a Bible in a secret compartment in one of the cabinets in the dining room; a spot that looks like a place people would hide alcohol during Prohibition.
Inside the Bible was a handwritten note in Latin, von Schwarz said.
“We had it translated and it said, ‘The exorcism didn’t work,’” Oakenfold said.
The family has relocated full-time to another home in Orange County.
With so many Halloween events canceled or modified this year due to the pandemic, von Schwarz and Oakenfold said they thought they’d provide something safe and unusual for the “American Horror Story” fans who have always wanted a look inside. The couple said they plan to donate most of the proceeds from ticket sales to the L.A.-based non-profit Baby2Baby, which provides things like diapers, clothing and basic necessities to those living in poverty.
“We hope that people have fun with it and that they see or experience something,” Oakenfold said. “Everybody who is a guest here has some stories afterwards. They either saw or heard something and it’s within the same places more or less. If we can do something that’s a little bit entertaining and make some money for a charity, we’re like well, what’s the harm?”
Paranormal Halloween Weekend Livestream
When: Dusk on Thursday, Oct. 29 through sunset on Sunday, Nov. 1
Where: Virtually at the “American Horror Story” Murder House, Los Angeles
Tickets: $25 at themurderhouse.com
#Streaming #TopStoriesRDF #TVAndStreaming #TopStoriesSGVT #TopStoriesPSN
