Judy Spera: Continuing the Paranormal Legacy of Ed and Lorraine Warren
Judy Spera, born Judy Warren, is the daughter of the famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Though her parents' supernatural work became internationally famous thanks to The Conjuring films, Judy herself spent much of her life staying far away from the paranormal world. However, in recent years, she has embraced her family’s legacy, taking on a more active role in continuing their renowned work.
A serene portrait of Judy Spera with subtle supernatural elements, evoking her parents’ legacy.
A Childhood Away from the Paranormal
Growing up, Judy’s relationship with the paranormal was complex. While her parents were busy investigating haunted houses, demonic possessions, and paranormal phenomena, Judy lived much of her early life with her grandparents. This separation was largely due to Ed and Lorraine’s constant traveling for their work, but it also had a lot to do with the eerie nature of her family home.
In a 2020 interview, Judy admitted she was terrified of staying at her parents’ house. “I couldn’t sleep in a room by myself,” she recalled, adding that the ominous energy in the house made her feel unsafe. Despite her fear, Judy always respected her parents’ dedication to their work, even though she chose to keep her distance from the supernatural for much of her life.
Embracing the Legacy
As Judy grew older, she began to understand the importance of preserving her parents’ legacy. Today, she and her husband Tony Spera run the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), the very organization Ed and Lorraine founded. Through NESPR, Judy and Tony continue investigating paranormal phenomena, working to help families affected by supernatural occurrences.
NESPR also serves as a central hub for Warren fans, providing archival footage of Ed and Lorraine’s work, interviews, and case files on their most famous investigations. Iconic cases such as the Annabelle doll, the Amityville Horror, and the Perron family haunting (the basis for The Conjuring) are all part of the NESPR archive.
A nostalgic depiction of Judy Warren’s peaceful childhood, contrasting with her parents’ paranormal work.
Carrying On the Paranormal Torch
Despite her initial fear of the paranormal, Judy now feels a sense of responsibility to protect her parents' reputation and continue their work. She was even a central figure in the 2020 Travel Channel documentary Devil’s Road: The True Story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, where she shared intimate insights into her parents’ lives and the truth behind the Hollywood adaptations. Judy explained that her involvement was motivated by her mother, Lorraine. “I owed it to her to get on there and speak,” she said, emphasizing the importance of giving an authentic account of her parents’ experiences.
Supernatural Abilities of Her Own?
Judy has revealed that she may have inherited some of her mother’s abilities. Lorraine was known for her clairvoyance, often sensing spirits during paranormal investigations. Judy, though hesitant to fully embrace this side of her heritage, admitted that she has experienced strange phenomena herself. From vivid dreams to eerie warnings, Judy acknowledges that there might be a connection between her mother’s gifts and her own supernatural experiences.
Judy and Tony Spera working together at the New England Society for Psychic Research, continuing the Warren legacy
The Warren Legacy in Pop Culture
While The Conjuring film franchise has turned the Warrens into pop culture icons, Judy believes that the movies have also kept her parents' memory alive. In an interview, she expressed her belief that their work continues to ripple through time because people are still fascinated by their investigations. “They’re still here,” she said, referring to her parents’ influence on the paranormal world.
