Russ McKamey, the controversial owner of the immersive haunted attraction McKamey Manor, was arrested early Friday morning on domestic assault charges. The arrest affidavit indicates that McKamey was taken into custody at approximately 4 a.m. at his home on Stephenson Road in Summertown.

Russ McKamey Arrested

Russ McKamey Arrested On Domestic Assault Charges
According to the Lawrence County arrest affidavit, McKamey physically assaulted a woman identified as his girlfriend. Following his arrest, McKamey posted a $1,000 bond and has been ordered to have no contact with the victim. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance on August 6 at 9 a.m. in Lawrence County General Sessions Court.

McKamey Manor, which operates out of McKamey’s Summertown home, has long been a subject of controversy. The Hulu original documentary “Monster Inside: America’s Most Extreme Haunted House” highlighted the experiences of three participants who felt that McKamey’s extreme brand of horror went too far. This documentary spurred an investigation by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, who raised concerns about McKamey’s business practices.

In a letter sent to McKamey Manor on Halloween by Assistant Tennessee Attorney General Kristine Knowles, several issues were brought to light. The letter expressed concerns that the attraction does not honor participants’ requests to stop the tour, referencing McKamey’s own comments in the Hulu documentary about having “no quitting and no safe wording.” Additionally, the letter highlighted that participants are not provided with a waiver detailing the risks involved before they sign up, which raises significant safety and ethical concerns.

The state’s letter also questioned the legitimacy of a $20,000 prize purportedly offered to those who complete the tour. The letter suggests that the prize may be impossible to win, quoting McKamey’s own admission that “it’s so mentally and physically challenging” that no one has ever won the challenge.

In response to the growing scrutiny, McKamey has taken legal action against various parties. He filed a lawsuit seeking an $8.4 million judgment against Hulu, a production company, and a participant in the documentary. Additionally, McKamey filed a lawsuit against the Tennessee Attorney General’s office, seeking a court order to avoid testifying in what he believes to be a politically motivated state investigation.

McKamey Manor has a storied history, having relocated from California to Summertown in 2017 following public outcry and its subsequent shutdown there. Despite the controversies and legal battles, McKamey has maintained that his attraction is the most exciting experience participants will ever have, even if it is unwinnable.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the future of McKamey Manor and its operations remains uncertain. The community and former participants alike will be closely watching the developments in both the domestic assault case and the ongoing investigations into the haunted attraction’s business practices.