Weird Los Angeles: The Curious Cavorting Coffin
Here's a very strange incident that took place at a house in the Compton area during the Fall of 1976.
Several people had flocked to a home there for a wake to comiserate and celebrate the death and life of Irish-born Danny Donovan, who had died of a heart attack. The mood was relaxed, wine was being drunk by good friends and family, and old times and fond memories were spoke of in relation to the departed.
Three of Danny's closest friends were chatting with his his widowed wife about Danny's colorful life when it was mentioned that he used to indulge in contacting the spirits, often via ouija board, and so, enlightened by the memory, Danny's widow lit a candle, the room fell to an eerie gloom and an ouija board--a fine specimen that belonged to the woman's daughter--was fetched from upstairs.
Within minutes all four participants had their fingertips perched upon an upturned glass all hoping deep down that maybe, just maybe, they could contact the spirit of dead Danny, whose empty shell of a body lie in a coffin just a few feet away.
Suddenly, beyond all expectation...the coffin began to move, and then shake, causing Mrs Donovan to emit a banshee-like wail, while the other three conjurers were transfixed by the shifting coffin which then slid from the table and stood upright in front of them. Then, the once lifeless body of Danny Donovan seemed to catapult forward from the silken confines of his resting place, and lunge at a Mr Edwards, an old work friend of Danny's. The candle flame extinguished and yet there was no sign of a breeze, and as Mr Edwards pushed the stiff body away he knew, deep down just why the waxen cadaver had attacked him...he had been having a three-year affair with Mrs Donovan!
Shortly after the bizarre incident, Mr Edwards suffered a mental breakdown, while the spirit of Danny Donovan finally was laid to rest, knowing that revenge had been sweet.