The Deadly Botched Exorcism of Kennedy Ife

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When you hear the word “exorcism,” your mind might immediately jump to Hollywood horror films. Classics like The Conjuring, The Possession of Hannah Grace, and The Exorcist depict dramatic exorcisms aimed at expelling evil spirits or demons from their hosts. These films attract a specific audience, those who revel in the thrills and chills of the horror genre, unbothered by the blood-curdling screams and eerie glimpses of shadows that heighten their paranoia.

However, this story is not a cinematic tale crafted by Hollywood. It is the real-life account of Kennedy Ife, a 26-year-old from North London, whose harrowing experience unfolded in August 2016.

One morning, Kennedy began exhibiting strange behaviour, growing increasingly aggressive after complaining of a severe pain in his throat. His actions escalated; he reportedly bit his father and threatened to mutilate himself, claiming that a snake-like creature was inside him. Concerned for his safety and well-being, his family resorted to restraining him to his bed with cable ties, using considerable force to keep him from harming himself or others.

Convinced that Kennedy was possessed and in need of an exorcism, his family undertook a desperate three-day effort to “cure” him through restraint and prayer. They firmly believed that a demon was tormenting him, trying to destroy him from within. His brother stated that they felt it was necessary to restrain Kennedy for everyone’s safety, as he posed a danger to himself and to the family members attempting to help.

After three days of confinement without medical attention, Kennedy’s brother finally called emergency services. He explained that Kennedy was suffering from dehydration and was experiencing difficulty breathing. Tragically, Kennedy was pronounced dead at 10:17 a.m. that day.

In the wake of this loss, Colin Ife attempted to revive his brother through chanting and prayers. Subsequently, all seven members of the Ife family were charged with manslaughter, false imprisonment, and causing the death of a vulnerable adult.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Kennedy had over 60 wounds on his body, including a possible bite mark. His father, Kenneth Ife, aged 64, his wife, Josephine Ife, aged 56, and their five sons—Colin, 26, Harry, 32, Roy, 33, and twins Daniel and Samuel, 20—denied responsibility for his death.

During the trial, Kenneth Ife testified that he had instructed his sons to take shifts watching over Kennedy and had given them permission to use whatever force was necessary to restrain him. He insisted that they had no connections to cults, occult practices, or secret societies, claiming these had no bearing on the tragic events that transpired.

After four days of extensive jury deliberation, all seven family members were cleared of charges on March 14, 2019.

This case illustrates that real-life exorcisms and religious practices aimed at “curing” individuals can differ dramatically from Hollywood portrayals. The family’s exoneration raises many questions, and it’s unlikely that anyone outside of that seven-bedroom mansion will ever truly understand what transpired behind closed doors—except, perhaps, the family themselves.