A California family says they’re living in fear after discovering that it appeared a stranger was secretly living in a hidden area under their home.
Charnita Matthews told KTLA she and her family started renting the Hemet home in Riverside County about three months ago. That’s when she said she began to hear strange noises.
“When I’m in another area of my house, I can hear doors close,” she said. Matthews said she knew something was very wrong when they began hearing an alarm constantly sounding off.
She said her husband and brother-in-law discovered the alarm was coming from underneath the home.
A Sight to Behold
As they followed the sound, they removed a wooden board attached to the side of their backyard deck. That’s where they discovered what appeared to be a large basement or cellar underneath.
The family found cleaning products, including bleach, soap, and detergent, along with other items that suggested someone had been using or accessing the area. But that wasn’t all.
“That’s when we found a tarp and a black tube that looked like it had some drugs in it,” Matthews’ brother-in-law told the outlet.
The individual was also apparently able to access the home’s power source.
“You can see the door with the fan plugged in down there,” Matthews said. “So they’ve been using my electricity.”
She told KTLA she contacted Pro Management, the company that manages the rental home, but she said she didn’t hear back.
Matthews also claimed that she was never told about the basement space under the home when she signed the rental papers.
“I have four children, and my husband travels,” she said. “I’m scared to be here alone.”
Officials Response
A Pro Management representative told KTLA they were not made aware of the situation.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to the property management company but has not heard back.
Matthews said she also contacted the Hemet Police Department, which sent an officer to investigate.
“They said if we see anybody down there, to call them,” Matthews said.
She told KTLA that since removing the boards, she hasn’t seen anyone coming or going, but she still feels uneasy. Matthews added that she’s also worried about how many people know about the space and are potentially using it.
“I feel like management should have done better,” she said.
Neighbors reportedly told KTLA they were not surprised by the discovery, saying the home has had many tenants come and go, including some who were reportedly problematic.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to the Hemet Police to see if there were any updates on the case. They did not respond.
