Russ Alan McKamey, the owner of the infamous Tennessee haunted house McKamey Manor, has announced that the establishment will continue to operate despite ongoing legal issues and widespread calls for its shutdown. McKamay also confirmed that the manor’s shocking and unbelievable gore will remain a staple of the experience. That said, will the haunted house’s notorious reputation ultimately lead to its downfall?
Petition Seeks End of McKamey Manor
Before McKamey made his decision to keep McKamey Manor open, he attempted to have second-degree murder, rape, and domestic assault charges dropped the previous month. Moreover, these legal issues stem from allegations made by his girlfriend. Notably, the owner was arrested in July over harrowing incidents that allegedly occurred on his Summertown property. Furthermore, Jonathan Skrmetti, the Attorney General of Tennessee, launched an investigation into McKamey’s property in 2023. This action prompted McKamey to file a lawsuit in March, arguing that the request infringed upon his rights.
However, a Change.org petition has called for the shutdown of the notorious McKamey Manor, citing intense claims about the extreme physical and psychological trauma visitors allegedly experience. The petition accuses the manor of subjecting participants to drugging, sexual assault, waterboarding, and other forms of abuse, garnering early 193,000 signatures. Unfortunately, the petition doesn’t appear to have an effect as McKamey Manor continues to attract visitors, reporting a 27,000-person waitlist at one point. For entry, participants must undergo rigorous screening, including:
- 40-page waiver
- sports physical
- doctor’s note
- background check
- drug test
- proof of medical insurance
Grand Prize for Manor’s “Survivors”
Gaining even more attention, McKamey Manor has offered a $20,000 prize to whoever could complete the tour. Not only is this horrifying experience marketed as an extreme haunted attraction, but also as a survival horror challenge. Notably, it’s reported that visitors potentially face various obstacles to up the intensity, including:
- frantic audio
- low visibility
- damp conditions
- physically demanding environments
- graphic horror scenes
Generally, the tour’s duration depends on the guest’s performance, potentially lasting up to 10 hours. Following last year’s theme of “Descent,” the plans for this year remain undisclosed. According to McKamey Manor’s website, actors can interact with guests, but physical contact is strictly prohibited. The experience is designed to challenge participants, both mentally and physically, until they reach their breaking point.
America’s Most Extreme Haunted House
McKamey Manor was opened after its owner, Russ Alan McKamey, a Navy veteran, moved to Tennessee from San Diego, California. In the 2023 Hulu documentary, Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House, the manor’s horrifying reputation was showcased, with previous visitors describing a “torture chamber” where no topic is off-limits. The documentary stated that the attraction is known for pushing guests to their limits, with no option to quit or use a safe word. Surprisingly, guests may undergo extreme activities, such as hair cutting and simulated dental procedures, for a traumatizing experience. Despite McKamey Manor finding success with horror enthusiasts, Russ’s business practices have sparked controversy, including a lawsuit against Hulu over its documentary.
Haunted House Shunned by Haunt Community
Becca, a TikTok creator and haunted actor, has spoken out about McKamey Manor. While sharing her research and insights about the manor’s true nature, the actor describes it as a form of torture rather than a haunted house experience. Moreover, she showed empathy for the participants and expressed disgust at their treatment by staff as they were allegedly subjected to physical harm with no clear escape.
In her investigation of McKamey Manor, Bella reported that participants are pushed to their limits, with actors intentionally causing harm rather than simply simulating scares. To put haunted houses in a better light, the actor emphasized that they are designed to prioritize fun and spooky thrills, not physical or emotional harm. Moreover, she states that she isn’t the only one with a problem with the manner, but the entire haunted house industry, believing its practices misrepresented a legitimate haunted house experience.
