A group of 10 roommates became concerned when they heard peculiar noises emanating from their basement, initially suspecting a haunting presence. However, the truth they uncovered turned out to be more unsettling.
Apart from the eerie sounds and alarms, the students also noticed open drawers in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as lights on in unoccupied rooms.
Driven by a mix of curiosity and fear, they traced the noises to the basement where they encountered a locked door.
One of the roommates, Mark Hartman, shared with ABC News that his roommate Brett had heard noises in the basement and attempted to open a locked door down there multiple times.
During a subsequent investigation in the basement, Brett stumbled upon an unknown man, leaving him taken aback.
Mark recounted Brett’s encounter, mentioning that the man, who identified himself as Jeremy, evaded Brett’s inquiries and exited the house swiftly, leaving Brett understandably shaken.
With assistance from the authorities, the group managed to break open the door, revealing a fully furnished bedroom with personal belongings like photos, books, a TV, and clothing.
The students at Ohio State University were shocked to realize that Jeremy had been residing in their basement without paying rent, using a side entrance to enter without detection.
It was later discovered that Jeremy’s cousin had lived in the house the previous year, providing him access to the property initially.
This unsettling incident unfolded in Columbus, Ohio, in 2013, catching the attention of NorthSteppe Reality, the leasing company, who promptly changed the locks post-discovery. However, the students expressed concerns about the company overlooking the squatter in their premises.
The landlord left a message at the residence for Jeremy, who reached out that evening and relocated his possessions from the room.
Jeremy had access to a bathroom in the basement and a sink for potential laundry use, although the students believed he refrained from consuming their food or entering their living quarters.
Reflecting on the situation, Mark mentioned the lack of lock changes and the potential risk posed by unregulated key circulation, expressing hopes for discounted rent and seeking advice from student legal services.
Another roommate, Jimmy Alderman, described Jeremy as “pleasant enough,” highlighting the danger posed by the situation and acknowledging that things could have escalated significantly.