Louisiana
Couple find poison stashed inside “hidden compartment” of Louisiana house
A couple were shocked to discover what was inside a hidden compartment in the bathroom of their 80-year-old home.
Bo Grant lives in Louisiana with her husband in a house they bought nine years ago. The property was originally built in 1948 and, to the surprise of the couple, there was a hidden part in which old items had been stored.
“We thought the wall was open to our attic,” Grant told Newsweek. In a video posted to @marriedtoalunatic on TikTok, which has received over 902,000 views since it was shared on October 30, Grant’s husband can be seen opening the compartment above the shower that had been covered up by previous owners.
@marriedtoalunatic/TikTok
Once the compartment had been unveiled, the couple discovered 21 items inside. The video shows what the couple found, including scrolls of what appears to be decorative wallpaper and old bank checks.
“The oldest dated items we found were from 1941 and 1940,” Grant says in the video. “It was super cool to find some old antique stuff.”
Then, the finds take an eerie turn as the couple find a box labeled as poison tablets and a bottle labeled as poison.
“We do know the original owner’s wife outlived him, for people thinking he used it to kill his wife and hide the evidence,” Grant said. “The original owners have passed away so there is no one for us to contact for more information on the odd things found in there.
“We plan to preserve the historical pieces and frame the wallpaper to keep as heirlooms to share the fascinating story.”
@marriedtoalunatic/TikTok
Grant and her husband are among the many people in the U.S. who bought an existing home rather than a new build; in this case in Louisiana, where the average house price is $198,951, according to Zillow.
In 2023, 4 million people bought existing homes across the country, compared to the under 1 million who bought new builds.
Many were impressed by the couple’s finds and took to the comments of Grant’s video to share their thoughts.
“You should look back in records if there was any past unexplained deaths in your home,” a TikTok user with the name Winter Wonderland said.
“Don’t dispose of it! pass it off to historians to study and preserve,” posted @PandoraPanther. Meanwhile, joseecousineau371 commented: “I’m 65 and I remember when I was young, and I had a knee scrape or cut, my mom would put an antiseptic that was red and it was call mercury chrome.”
Renee Hughes-Bourass wrote: “Everyone loving the wallpaper, it’s cool, but I’m loving the poison bottles!! as a vintage bottle collector to find them with intact labels is amazing. highly collectible! Great finds.”
Have you transformed your house into something you are proud of? Whether it’s a DIY project or a full-scale renovation, share your success stories with us. Let us know via life@newsweek.com, and your dream home could be featured on Newsweek.
Louisiana
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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