Woodbury, Ore. — The town of Woodbury has a long history of tales that blur the lines between folklore and reality, but none have captivated the town’s attention quite like the recent events surrounding the so-called “Somaneta Curse.” Over the past month, a series of strange and unsettling occurrences have left residents searching for answers. At the heart of it all is a seemingly abandoned home and a chilling legend that has resurfaced after nearly three decades.
The story began when Carl Jensen, 52, and his daughter Kylie, 16, visited Woodbury to attend to Jensen’s ailing father. A former resident, Jensen hadn’t returned to his hometown in years. On Oct. 15, Jensen and his daughter reportedly entered the Thompson House—a decaying structure near the forested edge of town. The home, once owned by the late Lydia Thompson, was notorious among locals for its disturbing history tied to Thompson’s twin daughters, Jessica and Jennifer, who died under tragic circumstances in the early 1980s.
According to town records and witness accounts, Jessica and Jennifer Thompson were born conjoined at the torso and faced numerous health complications throughout their brief lives. Lydia Thompson, their mother, was described as eccentric, often seen wandering the local woods late at night and reportedly dabbling in what she claimed were “ancient practices.” After the twins’ death in 1983, the house was left untouched, and Lydia moved to a care facility where she passed away shortly thereafter. But rumors surrounding the twins’ final moments—and Lydia’s alleged “pact” to bring them into the world—have fueled whispers of a curse that some believe remains active.
Accounts from Jensen’s October visit to the property paint a haunting picture. In an exclusive interview with the Woodbury Daily Tribune, Jensen recounted experiencing a series of “unnatural” occurrences while inside the Thompson House basement. “It was like the air got heavier. Cold, thick, almost like the walls were breathing,” Jensen said. He and his daughter reportedly heard voices repeating the phrase “Somaneta Forest,” which is said to have been Jennifer’s last words before she died.
Locals claim that “Somaneta Forest” was a phrase the twins created to signify retribution. Town historian Margaret Keyes explains, “In the twins’ version, Somaneta meant something like, ‘What was done to me will be done to you, but tenfold.’” The concept has since become a haunting refrain among locals, repeated in ghost stories and campfire tales, though this is the first time it has appeared in a firsthand account in decades.
The unsettling experiences did not end with Jensen’s visit. That same evening, employees at the local roadside motel reported seeing Kylie standing in the parking lot, apparently entranced, repeating “Somaneta Forest” under her breath. According to motel staff, her father struggled to rouse her, and the two left town early the next morning.
Jensen’s experience is not an isolated incident. Since his visit, several town residents have reported strange occurrences at the Thompson House. Reports include sightings of twin shadows near the windows, cold spots on the property, and faint whispers echoing around the house's exterior. Police have not verified these accounts, noting the lack of physical evidence. Nonetheless, the resurgence of activity has fueled renewed interest and fear surrounding the legend.
Lt. Mark Grady of the Woodbury Police Department acknowledges the reports but advises caution. “We have checked the property and found no signs of recent disturbances or trespassing beyond Mr. Jensen’s account. At this time, we are treating this as an unsubstantiated series of coincidences. However, residents are encouraged to avoid the property for their own safety.” The police department has installed temporary fencing around the house, although officers noted the fence has been tampered with multiple times since its installation.
In the wake of these events, members of the Woodbury community have expressed mixed reactions. Some residents, particularly older ones who recall the original story, feel a sense of unease. They claim the twins’ story has always brought bad luck to those who “go looking for it.” However, younger residents and visitors remain skeptical, considering the tale little more than a town legend exaggerated over time.
As Woodbury settles into the Halloween season, the story has grown into something of a local phenomenon. The Woodbury Daily Tribune has received an influx of calls from readers asking for more details, and online forums are rife with speculation. Some locals are even hosting “Somaneta Watch” gatherings outside the Thompson property, hoping to glimpse evidence of the supernatural.
Whether or not the “Somaneta Curse” has any real-world explanation remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Thompson twins, and their chilling final words, have returned to haunt Woodbury once more. Readers are left to decide whether this mystery is simply a story spun from rumor or a warning about a dark chapter of the town’s history coming back to life.
