Local News

Actions

Haunted house theme causing controversy

Posted at 11:31 PM, Sep 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-21 02:31:53-04

The Freakling Brothers Horrow Shows are a Halloween-favorite in Las Vegas, but this year one of the haunted themes is causing controversy. 

The attraction is called "The Victim Experience IV: The Sepsis Doctrine".

The website gives no indication as to how the illness is incorporated into the theme of the haunted house. Some survivors of sepsis believe the theme is inappropriate. 

"I know that they wouldn't do something for a condition that's more well-known, like cancer, or prostate cancer, or HIV, AIDS, anything just as serious!" said Nikki Belza who nearly died from sepsis during 2016. 

Belza said when she heard of the haunted theme, she was overcome with emotion.

"I started to shake, I started to almost cry because I couldn't believe what I was reading," she said.

She reached out to Freakling Brothers on Facebook and said the company replied unprofessionally.

Since she brought the issue to the attention of sepsis awareness organizations across the country, more people have expressed their disappointed with "The Sepsis Doctrine" on social media. 

JT Mollner of Freakling Brothers declined to be interviewed for this story, but issued the following statement through a public relations firm: 

"In no way did Freakling Bros. intend to offend those who have suffered or are currently suffering from terrible diseases. The Victim Experience is an extreme haunt experience for the most passionate and dedicated haunt fans from around the world and while haunted attractions frequently depict scenes of dark and graphic content and simulated violence, Freakling Bros. prides itself in pushing the boundaries with the art of the scare, with realistic experiences and topics that are uncomfortable and frightening to both patrons and the Freakling Bros. team."