The Hodson case stands out as an unusual and disturbing series of events involving the Borman family, their household staff, and a family friend. Taking place in a quiet hillside home in rural Hertfordshire, the family's otherwise ordinary evening spiraled into violence when a dismissed employee, Tom Simmons, launched a brutal attack.

Following the incident, the case drew further attention due to Simmons’ claims of encountering a mysterious, winged, human-like figure during his attempted escape. This report was later investigated by author and ghost hunter Elliott O'Donnell, whose findings raised questions and sparked discussion in the local community about unusual phenomena tied to the incident.

Key Takeaways

The Borman family's hillside home was the setting for a violent attack.
A mysterious, winged entity was reportedly seen by the attacker during the events.
The case attracted further investigation and rumors due to its unexplained elements.

History of the Borman Household

Key Individuals and Domestic Staff

The Borman household was made up of Mr. and Mrs. Borman, their three daughters, and a young domestic assistant named Elizabeth Harris. Also present was a family acquaintance, Mrs. Hammerstone. A former employee, Tom Simmons, was involved in the events described, having previously worked as a handyman before his dismissal due to job performance issues.

The members of the household are as follows:

Name Role Notes Mr. Borman Head of household Unaware of initial incident Mrs. Borman Matriarch Present during main events, injured Eldest Daughter Daughter Fatally attacked Other Daughters Daughters Part of the household Elizabeth Harris Servant Targeted, survived attack Mrs. Hammerstone Family friend Present, fatally attacked Tom Simmons Former handyman Intruder, perpetrator

Locale and Historical Setting

The events took place at a residence on the outskirts of Hodson, located within Hertfordshire, England. The house was described as being set into a hillside, providing a distinct backdrop for the incident. The timeline is approximate but fits within the late 19th or early 20th century, based on contemporary investigative details. The season referenced is autumn, contributing to the setting of the evening’s events.

Sequence of Events Before the Attack

Termination of Tom Simmons

Tom Simmons, once employed as a handyman by the Borman family, lost his job due to persistent issues with his performance. During his time in the household, Simmons sought a romantic relationship with the young servant, Elizabeth Harris. However, Mrs. Borman grew wary of Simmons' intentions and suggested that Elizabeth avoid further involvement. Elizabeth complied, turning down Simmons’ advances.

Mounting Hostility and Menacing Remarks

After being dismissed, Simmons' frustration grew. In the days that followed, he openly expressed a desire for retribution against Mrs. Borman and Elizabeth, making his intentions known to others in the area. This mounting animosity set the stage for the violent events that later unfolded at the Borman home.

Event Details Job Loss Simmons dismissed for poor work ethic Unreciprocated Interest Simmons' attempts to court Elizabeth rejected Advice from Mrs. Borman She counseled Elizabeth against seeing Simmons Threats Made Simmons communicated intentions to retaliate to people in town

Events During the Night

Early Disturbance Near the Cooking Area

As the evening settled in at the Borman residence, Mrs. Borman and Mrs. Hammerstone stayed by the fire while the rest of the household went to their rooms. Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden, loud noise from the kitchen area. Mrs. Hammerstone reacted quickly, reaching the kitchen door to see Elizabeth, the young servant, struggling to keep someone from forcing their way inside.

Elizabeth recognized the intruder as Tom Simmons, a former handyman for the Bormans. She warned Mrs. Hammerstone that Tom had a knife and was threatening her life. The tension increased as Tom, unable to force his way through the door, shifted tactics.

Violent Encounter and Struggle

The situation escalated when the sound of breaking glass echoed from the back of the kitchen. Tom Simmons was seen crawling through the shattered window. Mrs. Hammerstone pleaded with him to leave, but he responded with violence, stabbing her fatally in the throat.

Members of the household rushed to the chaotic scene. Before anyone could escape, Tom seized the eldest Borman daughter and fatally stabbed her. He then turned the knife on Mrs. Borman and Elizabeth, injuring them both. The violent episode ended abruptly when Tom suddenly dropped his weapon, screamed, and fled through the back door.

Key Details:

Victim Injury Outcome Mrs. Hammerstone Stabbed in throat Deceased Eldest Borman daughter Stabbed Deceased Mrs. Borman Stabbed Survived Elizabeth Harris Stabbed Survived

Immediate Response and Those Who Lived

Mrs. Borman and Elizabeth, both wounded, heard Tom running away across the yard and into the town. He was later found hiding in a barn, visibly terrified and unable to resist arrest. When speaking with authorities, Tom described seeing an unsettling, dark winged figure with a human-like face that seemed to intervene during the attack.

Police apprehended Tom soon after. He was brought to trial, found guilty, and sentenced to death. Survivors, despite their injuries, provided direct testimony about the events and helped identify the attacker. This unusual night left lasting impacts on everyone involved.

Arrest and Trial of Tom Simmons

Apprehension and Police Response

Police discovered Tom Simmons hiding in a barn following the attack. He did not resist arrest, appearing fearful and disoriented. When found, Simmons reportedly offered no struggle, and officers quickly took him into custody.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Simmons stood trial for the murders at the Borman residence. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Before his execution, he shared with the chaplain an unusual account, claiming he had been confronted by a dark, winged being at the scene of the crime. Simmons described being so disturbed by the encounter that he abandoned his attack and fled, leading to his eventual capture by authorities.

Confrontation with the Mysterious Winged Figure

Tom Simmons Shares What Happened

Tom Simmons later recounted his actions on the night of the attack. He stated that just as he was about to inflict a fatal wound on Elizabeth, he felt something cold make contact with his shoulder. Startled, he turned to find himself face-to-face with a shadowy, winged figure.

According to Tom, the presence of this strange being caused him to panic. In his words, the fear it instilled led him to drop his knife, scream, and immediately flee the house, abandoning his violent intentions.

Description of the Shadowy Creature

Tom’s depiction of the entity includes several striking features:

Attribute Description Body color Dark, shadow-like Wings Large, black wings Face and form Human-like, but distinctly inhuman Expression Frowning, appearing displeased

He mentioned it seemed almost human but clearly wasn’t, and its disapproving expression left a lasting impression.

How the Encounter Affected Tom’s Behavior

The appearance of the winged figure brought Tom’s attack to an abrupt halt. Fear drove him to escape, running across the yard and through the streets until he found shelter in a barn. There, the fear continued until he eventually lost consciousness.

After his arrest, Tom was subdued and offered no resistance, remaining terrified. This encounter fundamentally altered his actions, stopping his violence and leading him to recount the event in detail before his execution.

Elliott O'Donnell’s Inquiry into the Hodson Incident

Arrival in the Village

Elliott O'Donnell, known for his background as both a police officer and a ghost investigator, made his way to the village on the outskirts of Hodson specifically to look into the unusual case involving the Borman family. His arrival was prompted by reports of a violent incident linked with supernatural claims. O'Donnell’s experience investigating similar disturbances helped him quickly gather details from witnesses and local records.

Local Responses and Public Sentiment

The revelation of Tom Simmons’ account—a claim of encountering a dark, winged, humanlike figure—generated considerable conversation among residents. Many expressed unease or skepticism, but O'Donnell documented a clear surge of public interest in the aftermath. Community members openly shared their opinions with him, some describing a mixture of curiosity and apprehension toward the possibility of supernatural involvement.

Key Public Reactions:

Some community members were alarmed by the descriptions.
Others saw the incident as confirmation of existing local legends.
A subset of residents dismissed the supernatural element, focusing on the violence itself.

Accounts of Matching Phenomena

As word spread about the violent event and Tom Simmons’ supernatural claim, other villagers approached O'Donnell with their own stories. Several individuals recounted seeing a similar dark, winged figure either before or after the night in question. One particularly notable story was from a local man who said that the apparition appeared during a moment of personal crisis and may have intervened in a positive way. These concurrent reports broadened the scope of O'Donnell’s investigation, shifting focus from a single event to a potential pattern of sightings in the community.

Interpretations of the Mysterious Figure

Theories of Protective Spirits

Some individuals in the community speculated that the winged figure could have been a form of a protective entity. This idea is partly based on testimonies from people who reported encounters in which the presence of the figure seemed to prevent harm or negative actions.

For instance, there is an account of a man who was contemplating suicide when this same dark, winged entity appeared. He described the encounter as a significant turning point, which led him to abandon his intentions and take positive steps toward recovery. The impact was so strong that he completely turned his life around, suggesting a possible interventionist or guardian role for the figure.

Encounter Type Witness Impact Violent Confrontation Assailant fled in terror Attempted Suicide Individual dissuaded & reformed

Despite its ominous appearance, the entity's actions appeared to contribute to the preservation of life in more than one case.

Dark Interpretations and Other Possibilities

The unsettling features described by witnesses—dark wings, a humanoid body, and a frowning face—led others to question whether the figure was truly benevolent. Traditionally, entities with such characteristics are more often associated with harmful or frightening roles.

It is highly unusual for a being described in such menacing terms to intervene in a helpful way, particularly in cases involving violence or despair. The contradiction between the figure’s fearsome presence and its apparently positive influence challenges typical assumptions about supernatural encounters.

Such cases raise the question:

Could a being that appears demonic actually seek to avert tragedy?
Does its fearsome appearance serve as a deterrent rather than a threat?

These uncertainties leave room for debate within the community, as people try to make sense of the entity’s purpose and nature.

Hodson Case’s Enduring Impact

Effect on Community Stories

The Hodson incident left a noticeable mark on local narratives. After news of Simmons’s strange encounter with the shadowy winged figure spread, more residents started sharing their own accounts of seeing a similar being. These reports weren’t limited to one type of event—some described the entity appearing during times of crisis.

A particular example stands out:

A local man, on the brink of suicide, claimed the mysterious figure appeared and attempted to persuade him not to end his life.
His experience reportedly led to a significant change, as he no longer entertained thoughts of self-harm.

Notable Features of the Entity:

Attribute Description Appearance Dark wings, human-like yet not human Behavior Appears during distressing events Community Impact Inspired various personal stories

These reports altered community discussions, with the entity remembered as something both unnerving and oddly protective, differing from typical folklore involving guardian angels.

Unresolved Elements and Continuing Puzzles

Despite the passage of time, many aspects of the case remain unclear. The exact cause behind Simmons’s sudden terror and his description of a dark, winged being have never been explained in a satisfactory way.

Ongoing questions include:

What exactly did Simmons and others see?
Why did the figure intervene at moments of distress or violence?
Is there a rational explanation, or does it point to something still unknown?

The case continues to spark speculation and debate, ensuring it stays a source of mystery both for those interested in the supernatural and for the wider community. Many wonder if future incidents will provide more clarity or only deepen the enigma.

The Haunting Hoddesdon Entity: Inside the Terrifying Borman Family Paranormal Case