Last week we talked about the bizarre phenomenon which is sleepwalking (or somnambulism). This behavioural disorder causes a person to walk or perform even more complex tasks while asleep. Just to show how strange this condition can get, today we’re bringing you a list of some of the strangest sleepwalking incidences we’ve heard of!

The Killer

The first U.S. legal case in which sleepwalking was successfully used as a defense was Massachusetts v. Tirrell. In 1846, Albert Tirrell murdered a prostitute in Boston. He then set fire to the brothel, and fled to New Orleans where he was finally arrested. Tirrell’s lawyer argued that he was a chronic sleepwalker and had been unconscious for the whole series of events. The jury agreed and acquitted him of murder, although many contemporaries disagreed and it remains a controversial call to this day.

The Climber

In 2005, police in London were called to a construction site to prevent a possible suicide at 2am. A passerby had spotted a person lying on the arm of a 130ft crane. To the amazement of the police, it turned out to be a 15 year old girl who was curled up fast asleep. She had left her house while sleepwalking and climbed all the way up the crane, only to fall back into a blissful slumber. Emergency services were afraid to wake her in case she panicked and lost her balance. Luckily the girl’s cellphone was near her, so they arranged for her parents to call her and wake her up calmly instead. She was brought down to safety shortly afterwards.

The Alligator Tease

James Curren had been a sleepwalker for most of his life, but his scariest nocturnal adventure occurred when he was 77 years old. In 1998, Curren sleepwalked out of his house with his cane and marched right into a nearby pond. He woke up chest deep in water and stuck in the mud, unable to move. Alligators then began to approach him from all sides. He kept them at bay with his cane and screamed for help, until his neighbours heard the commotion and called the police. The police scared the alligators off with lights and managed to rescue him in time - Curren escaped with only small scratches.

The Artist

Lee Hadwin, a male nurse from North Wales, has been creating amazing works of art in his sleep for most of his adult life. Nicknamed ‘Kipasso’, the now 38 year old Hadwin says he’s utterly confused by his nocturnal talent. During the day he has no artistic talent whatsoever, but during the night he creates complex and beautiful sketches.

The strange habit began when he was very young. Hadwin has been sleepwalking since he was a child, but during his teens he began drawing in his sleep, doodling all over his bedroom and kitchen walls. Hadwin decided to experiment with this ability, and deliberately left artists’ materials lying around the house when he went to bed. Sure enough, he began using the materials during his sleep, and would awake to find full pieces of artwork next to him in the mornings.

Today Hadwin’s pieces attract interest from art buyers all over the world due to the unique nature of their production. Even Donald Trump owns one of his creations.

Believe it or not, these are just a small sample of the strange sleepwalking cases that have been recorded throughout human history. Sleepwalking has now been used multiple times as a successful legal defense, even in several cases of homicide.

Strange anecdotes aside, if you’re concerned about sleepwalking or somnambulism make sure you do seek medical advice. Although it’s a notoriously difficult condition to treat, improving sleep hygiene has been known to help in some cases.

And of course, an important part of sleep hygiene is getting a comfortable night’s sleep, which requires the right mattress and bed for your individual body type and needs. If you’re not reaching an optimum level of sleep comfort, come and chat to our team at Wellington Beds today - we’ll offer you a fully customised solution which will have you on cloud nine in no time.