An urban explorer has discovered the ‘haunted’ funeral home where Harry Houdini’s body was embalmed.
Dave, known as Freaktography, found the time capsule after researching online.
Houdini was an Hungarian-American artist and illusionist, most famed for incredible stunt performances and escape acts.
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He broke through in 1899 becoming one of the world’s most popular entertainers until his death.
“Back on 22 October 1926, Harry Houdini was in Montreal, Quebec for some shows,” Dave, from Canada, told What’s The Jam.
“Houdini had long claimed he had a superhuman ability to sustain any punch to the stomach, due to his unimaginably strong abdominal muscles.
“He was approached by a student of McGill University, who wanted to punch him in the stomach.
“He accepted the challenge, however before he was able to stand up and brace himself – the student wound up and punched Houdini in the abdomen four to five times.
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“The punch didn’t do any immediate or obvious harm and he proceeded to perform shows before heading to Detroit for another series of performances.
“However, on his way to Detroit, he complained of stomach cramps, discomfort and pain, which turned severe with cold sweats and fatigue.
“It was suspected that he had appendicitis.
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“Harry insisted on doing his show on 24 October, struggled through and collapsed to the floor as the curtain dropped.
“He was taken to a hospital where it was diagnosed that his appendix had been ruptured days earlier.
“The appendix was removed but the damage was done, it had poisoned his insides.”
According to Dave, he held on for seven more days, but died on Halloween, 31 October 1926.
Dave said: “Following his death, Houdini’s body was transported to this funeral home in Detroit where his body was embalmed and prepared.
“Following the embalmment, the magician was placed into one of his very own trick coffins that he had just completed for a future stunt.
“He was left in this coffin until a more suitable one could be obtained and was then transported to Michigan Central Train station for the ride to New York and his burial at a cemetery in Queens.”
Dave’s exploration of the one-time funeral home starts upstairs, in the attic, showing how the roof has caved in over time.
He then finds piles upon piles of discarded records and sheet music spilling down the stairs.
Down on the second floor is a grand piano in the middle of a well lit, once grand room.
In other rooms, Dave finds rotting sofas and old fireplaces.
Dave then comes across an embalming room – where he believes Houdini was embalmed – with sinks, remnants of pipes and tiled walls and floors.
Further on are more embalming rooms as well as a viewing room with a stunning skylight.
Finally on the ground floor, dotted with more decaying pianos and organs, are large, open rooms with chairs – where funerals were most probably held.
One room resembles an office, where paperwork, clothing and books had been left behind.
Dave added: “It was deadly silent inside.
“Being in a funeral home always has a different feeling and vibe than in other abandoned places.”
The explorer shared a clip of the home to his 91,700 subscribers, where the video has racked up thousands of views.
Kathleen said: “Wow! What a place! Lots of rooms! Thank you for showing us!”
Rick added: “This is fantastic.”
Someone else wrote: “Awesome one Dave!!!”
Jerrold commented: “Very cool place, beautiful architecture, love it.”
Isabel noted: “Actually creepy.”
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