Five Tales of Haunted Dolls...
The innocent looking Okiku lives at the Mannenji temple in Iwamizawa, Japan, but her butter wouldnât melt appearance belies her creepy little secret.
According to the temple, the dollâs hair was originally cut into a short bob, but it has grown down to her knees over time. The pampered doll is treated to regular hair cuts, but it just keeps growing back.
According to local legend, Okikuâs origins can be traced back to a young boy who bought this doll for his sick little sister, who died from her illness.
Mandy might be over 90-years-old, but that doesnât stop her getting into mischief!
This antique porcelain doll was donated to the Quesnel museum in British Columbia after her previous owner was so creeped out by the strange things that happened in Mandyâs presence that she could no longer bear to have the doll in her home.
According to the previous owner, whenever Mandy was in the house, she would hear a screaming baby in the basement, but upon inspection the room was empty and silent.
After Mandy joined the museum, the crying in the basement ceased, but staff lunches started mysteriously disappearing from the fridge and being found in drawers with items such as books and pictures going missing, sometimes never to be seen again.
Most disturbingly, rumor has it that Mandy is in a case on her own because she canât be placed with other dolls because she will harm them.
The island of the dolls is probably the creepiest location in Mexico City (and, quite possibly the world), but itâs back story is actually a very sad one.
Don Julian who was a hermit who lived in a shack on a island in Xochimilco claimed he was haunted by a young girl who drowned in the canal and was desperate to appease her restless spirit.
The outcast began to collect dolls and hung them from the trees for the young girlâs spirit to play with until his death in 2001, when he drowned in the very same canal as the tragic girl.
Visitors who flock to the island today claim they can hear the dolls whispering and opening and shutting their eyes and the paranormal investigation team from Destination Truth saw apparitions and were flooded with indescribably paranoia on the island.
This porcelain doll was found on a busy roadside in Hougang, Singapore and the Arabic word on the blindfold is believed to be a spell to contain an evil spirit inside the innocent looking vessel.
Rumor has it that the doll is possessed and has the ability to move around on its own. The original owner bound her eyes so the doll couldnât follow her home.
Despite beliefs that whoever unties the blindfold would be cursed, a brave or foolish individual did just that and the cold, hard stare on the dollâs face is absolutely chilling.
In the late 1800s, Thomas Otto and his family moved in to a mansion at the corner of Eaton and Simonton streets in Key West, Florida now known as the Artist House. The Ottos were known to be stern with their servants, sometimes even mistreating them. It was the treatment of one such Haitian servant that provides a twist in this story.
This woman was hired to take care of their son, Robert. One day, Mrs. Otto supposedly witnessed her practicing black magic in their backyard and fired her.
Before she left, the woman gave Robert a lifelike doll which stood 3 feet tall, had buttons for eyes, human hair (believed to be Robertâs), and was filled with straw.
Dolls that resembled children were not unheard of during this time, but this one proved to be special. Robert named the doll after himself and often dressed it in his clothes. Robert, the doll, became his trustworthy companion. He took it with him on shopping trips into town. The doll had a seat at the dinner table where Robert would sneak it bites of food when his parents werenât looking. Robert would even be tucked into bed with the boy at night. Soon this innocent relationship took on a strange nature.
Soon after, Robert chose to be referred to by his middle name, Gene, after being scolded by his mother. He told her that Robert was the dollâs name, not his. Gene was often heard in his toy room having conversations with Robert. Gene would say something in his childish manner and responses could be heard in a much lower voice. Sometimes Gene would become very agitated, worrying the servants and his mother. She would, on occasion, burst in to find her son cowering in a corner while Robert sat perched in a chair or on the bed glaring at him. This was only the beginning.
Household objects would be found thrown across the room, Geneâs toys turned up mutilated, and giggling could be heard. Whenever these unusual acts took place, Gene always said, âRobert did it!â The boy took the punishment but always insisted that the blame was Robertâs. As the mischief grew, more and more servants took their leave as new ones were hired. The Ottosâ relatives felt it was time to do something. With the recommendation of a great aunt, Geneâs parents removed Robert from his care and placed him in a box in the attic. This is where he resided for many years.
After the death of his father, Gene was willed his boyhood home. He decided to live in the Victorian mansion with his new wife. Gene had become an artist, and felt the house was spacious and would provide a place for him to paint. He went to the attic and dusted off his childhood toy. He became attached to the doll despite his wifeâs displeasure. Gene would take the doll along with them everywhere they went. He even sat in his favorite little chair while Gene and his wife slept nearby. The Turret Room became Robertâs domain after Mrs. Otto moved him back to the attic. Their marriage slowly became sour until Mrs. Otto supposedly went insane and died of unknown reasons. Gene followed soon behind.
Robert supposedly attacked people, sometimes locking them in the attic. People who passed by claimed to hear evil laughter coming from the Turret Room. For some time, Robert remained in the empty house by himself until a new family purchased the mansion and restored it. The doll was once again moved to the attic. This pleased it as much as the last time. The doll was often found throughout the house. On one certain night, Robert was found at the foot of the ownersâ bed giggling with a kitchen knife in hand. This was enough to send them fleeing from the home.
Robert was later moved to the East Martello Museum in Key West, where he sits perched in a glass box. Despite his new living quarters, the doll is believed to not have given up his menacing ways. Visitors and employees claim they have seen the doll move. His smile has been known to turn into a scowl. One employee cleaned Robert, turned off all the lights and left for the night.
The next day, he returned to find lights turned on, Robert sitting in a different position than the night before and a fresh layer of dust on his shoes. Some say heâll even curse you. If you want to take a picture of him, you must ask politely. Heâll tilt his head in permission. However, if he doesnât and you take the picture anyways, a curse will befall upon you and anyone who accompanied you to the museum. The same will happen if you make fun of him.
To this day, Robert remains at the East Martello Museum in his sailor suit clutching his stuffed lion, continuing his menacing ways.
