In the world of paranormal lore, few cases are as strange as the story of Don Decker, a young man from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, who allegedly had the power to make it rain indoors. Often called the “Rain Man” or “Rain Boy,” his experiences in 1983 have become one of the most debated supernatural cases in modern history.
The Beginning of the Storm
The events began in February 1983, when 21-year-old Don Decker was granted a furlough from jail to attend his grandfather’s funeral. Instead of bringing comfort, the visit seemed to trigger something deeply unsettling.
According to Decker, his grandfather had physically abused him throughout his childhood, and during the funeral, those memories came rushing back. After the service, Don went to stay with friends, Bob and Jeannie Keiffer, where the first signs of the bizarre activity would surface.
A House Flooded from Within
The Keiffers and their guests reported that water suddenly began dripping from the ceiling and walls — in places where no pipes ran. Even more unnerving, droplets reportedly appeared to move sideways, against gravity. Some witnesses said the water even seemed to bubble up from the floors.
When landlord Ron Van Why was called to investigate, he and his wife claimed they saw the water phenomena firsthand. Frustrated, they had Don leave the house — only to find that the mysterious “rain” followed him.
The Rain Spreads
Don’s strange ability wasn’t limited to the Keiffer home. At a local pizzeria, water began falling inside the restaurant after Don walked in. Witnesses said they saw droplets forming mid-air, unconnected to any plumbing.
When police officers were called, at least one of them later testified that he saw the inexplicable water for himself. The bizarre occurrences convinced many locals that something unnatural was taking place.
Signs of Something Darker
The rain wasn’t the only thing linked to Don. At times, he would fall into trance-like states. Witnesses reported seeing claw marks or scratches suddenly appear on his body. In one particularly chilling account, a crucifix hanging on the wall was said to move violently when Don was near it.
Some witnesses began to believe Don was not simply a victim of strange phenomena but possibly possessed by a demonic force. Local clergy were eventually called, and prayers were performed in an effort to banish whatever was plaguing him.
The End of the Storm
The disturbances reportedly lasted several days before stopping as suddenly as they began. Don eventually returned to jail, and the story might have faded into obscurity if not for the sheer number of people — friends, landlords, police officers, and clergy — who claimed to have witnessed the bizarre rain firsthand.
The case was later featured on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries, bringing the legend of the “Rain Man” into national attention.
Skeptics Weigh In
Not everyone accepts the story at face value. Skeptics argue that the water could have come from hidden leaks, condensation, or outright fabrication. Others note that no photographic or physical evidence exists, despite so many witnesses.
Local reporters who revisited the case years later found contradictions in the stories and questioned whether the community had simply become caught up in mass hysteria.
Legacy of the Rain Man
Whether real, imagined, or exaggerated, the case of Don Decker remains one of the most unusual paranormal tales in America. To this day, believers cite it as rare evidence of a human being used as a conduit for supernatural forces, while skeptics see it as a cautionary tale about the power of suggestion and storytelling.
Fact Box: Don Decker “Rain Man” Case
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Location: Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
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Year: 1983
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Phenomena: Indoor rain, water appearing on walls/ceilings/floors, claw marks, trances
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Witnesses: Friends, landlords, police officers, clergy
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Explanations: Paranormal activity, possible demonic possession, or fabrication/exaggeration
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Cultural Impact: Featured on Unsolved Mysteries, now a staple of paranormal lore
