Inside the ‘Tormented’ History of Ohio’s ‘Haunted’ Bihl Manor

A “tormented” Ohio home that is said to have been the site of many incidents of eerie and allegedly paranormal activity will have its many “secrets” uncovered as part of a new HGTV show hosted by “Pitch Perfect” star Anna Camp.

The aptly titled series, “A Very Haunted Renovation,” will follow a group of brave designers who will eat, sleep, live, and work inside of Bihl Manor for 31 days, attempting to renovate the decrepit abode in a series of elimination challenges that will see one walking away with a $50,000 cash prize.

But the group will face more challenges than those found in the average abandoned home. In addition to peeling paint and crumbling walls, they will be forced to face an even greater hurdle inside the Fremont, OH, abode: their own fear.

“Ghosts roam three floors of eerie spaces, tormenting all those who enter. Bihl Manor is one of the most haunted homes in America,” Camp explained in a preview of the series.

“Unoccupied, falling apart, and on the verge of demolition, no one is brave enough to step foot inside—until now.”

The six designers primed to face their fears for a win are SK Stokes Kennedy, Patrick Peel, John Ryan, Logan Wright, Diana Vogel, and Bershan Shaw—who reality TV enthusiasts may recognize from her time on Season 13 of “The Real Housewives of New York City.”

While the contestants’ vision for the home has yet to be revealed, a few goals were teased in the show’s trailer.

“My goal is to make it look like the inside of a glamorous coffin,” noted one designer.

Meanwhile, the judging panel will be stacked with entertaining experts who know a thing or two about haunted homes, including “Luxe for Less” designer Michel Smith Boyd, production designer Hannah Beachler, “American Horror Story” actor Billy Porter, “Elvira” actress Cassandra Peterson, horror film director Eli Roth, and Jack Osbourne, paranormal investigator and son of the late rocker Ozzy Osbourne.

“In each episode, the brave renovators will face elimination challenges that put their nerves, creativity and design skills to the test as they bring the home’s spine-tingling spaces back from the dead,” an HGTV description reads.

The network notes that the renovation challenges will be inspired, at least in part, by the spirits who are said to haunt the notorious property, including Alvin and Lizzie Bihl, who are understood to have been among the home’s first occupants.

In the premiere episode, the designers will be tasked with completing a “stylish makeover” of one of the property’s bedrooms with a nod to the spirits of the late residents.

“Each trio will have just four days to complete a stylish makeover inspired by the spirits of Lizzie and Alvie Bihl that are rumored to haunt the sleeping quarters,” the description continues.

Certainly there is plenty of inspiration to work with—and ample opportunity for the designers to flex their skills and their bravery.

Bihl Manor is a five-bedroom, four-bathroom abode that most recently changed hands for $105,000 in July 2022, according to records. It had been listed for $169,900 in April 2022.

While the home’s listing indicates that it was built in 1912, a history of the property posted on its website, Haunted Bill Manor, suggests that it actually dates to the 1890s, when it was understood to have been built by Jerome Bihl, for whom it is now named.

“The Bihl Manor has many secrets waiting to be uncovered. It seems that each floor of the house has its own type of haunting,” the website states.

It is not immediately clear when the rumors of paranormal activity began to surface. However, the website notes that there have been reports of hauntings on every floor of the dwelling, starting with the basement, where two spirits called “The Biter” and “The Scratcher” are said to roam.

“So far, four men have reportedly been bitten and four women scratched,” it claims.

On the first floor, much of the alleged paranormal activity has taken place in a room named for Daisy Wolfe, whose family purchased the property from Bihl in the 1920s.

“The first floor is known for frequent voices being heard. Daisy’s Room is especially active, where almost any piece of equipment seems to work,” the website goes on. “A rocking chair in the room is known for objects being thrown off of it. Many voices—believed to be those of a man and children—have been heard on this floor. Visitors have also reported hearing footsteps and loud slamming noises.”

Other sightings include a red-haired boy who is said to have been spotted in the attic, while “shadow figures” are also alleged to have been seen “running down the hallways.”

Some believe that these spirits are related to the numerous deaths that have occurred inside the home, while other reports suggest that its use as a funeral venue contributed to its eeriness.

In the sneak peek for “A Very Haunted Renovation,” the property’s current owners, Karlo and Heather, provided some insight to their experience with the dwelling, noting that “nobody told” them about the manse’s troubled past when they bought it.

Rumors aside, the couple soon experienced some unusual activity. Heather recalls a particularly chilling trip to the basement.

“I felt this cold finger just go all the way down from my neck down to my back,” she said.

“I want to save this house, but honestly, I don’t know how to,” Karlo added. “It’s hard to get contractors to do work here.”

A local builder named Adam confirmed Karlo’s claim.

“Everybody knows it’s definitely haunted,” he said. “You just always feel like you’re not alone. You just feel like someone is watching you.”

Nearby residents expressed the scary sentiments as well.

“I would see a man upstairs, just standing there, looking out the window. Found out, there was nobody there. The house was empty,” former neighbor Beatriz said.

From “frequent voices being heard” to “a young boy with red hair” being spotted on the landing, “several unexplained experiences” seem to plague the home. Bihl Manor’s site also claims it’s been home to a handful of deaths.

In her personal life, Camp has chosen a sunnier spot to spend her days. Following an amicable 2019 split from ex Skylar Astin, the “Scream 7” star left the 1920s Spanish Colonial house the couple shared in Los Feliz, CA, and packed up for Palm Springs.

In conversation with “Palm Springs Life,” she referred to the sunny locale as her “Zen sanctuary,” which sounds much sweeter than the grim setting of her latest project.

It was also recently announced that Camp will soon be New York City–bound, with a new role in the off-Broadway production of “2:22—A Ghost Story.”

The role marks a return to the early days of the “True Blood” actress’ career, as she moved to the Big Apple after college to act.

“I’m beyond excited to dive back into this world in particular and to return to the New York stage, and to my first love, the theatre,” Camp shared in a statement to Deadline.