A woman found human bones in the walls while renovating her 16th century farmhouse — and discovered a murderer lived next door.

Emmie Brookman, 28, bought the three-bedroom property with her fiancé, Norton Johnston, 34, and had to renovate it after finding pink mould on the walls.

The couple hand-chiseled off the exterior render themselves — after being quoted $23,000 by professionals – but were surprised when they found a bone in the wall.

After initially being “creeped out,” Emmie discovered bones used to be put in walls to ward off evil during the 16th century.

A woman found human bones in the walls while renovating her 16th century farmhouse – and discovered a murderer lived next door.Emmie Brookman / SWNS

They found four bones in total in the exterior — and a further two inside — and Emmie believes one is a human finger bone and the rest are from animals.

The couple also discovered local murderer James Hargreaves lived in the manor house next door — but haven’t been put off by the history.

Emmie, who is co-owner of a homeware business, from Barrowford, Lancashire, said: “We were taking the render off and when I was by the front something popped out of the wall.

“It was very obviously a bone.

“I was really creeped out.

“What do you do when you find a bone in the wall?

“We found about four more in the exterior.

“At first we thought we were going to find a full body.”

Emmie bought the 1580s home in February 2023 for $413,000 after falling in love with its “character and quirkiness”.

The couple had originally thought it just needed some “new carpets and paint” but then discovered it needed a lot more work.

Emmie said: “There was pink mould growing on the wall.

“It smelled really musty.

“Our paperwork would get soggy.”

The couple realized the wrong render had been used on the property which was trapping moisture and had to chisel it off to get to the old stonework.

They started renovating in August 2024 – spending just $400 on hand chiseling the render off instead of the $23,000 they were quoted.

The couple hand-chiseled off the exterior render themselves – after being quoted $23,000 by professionals – but were surprised when they found a bone in the wall.Emmie Brookman / SWNS

But Emmie and Norton, a science teacher, were shocked to discover the bones in their walls – as well as a mysterious green bottle filled with ashes and herbs.

Emmie said: “We found an article on magic in Kendal and read that they really believed in witches.

“They used to put bones in the walls and herbs to ward off the evil.

“It’s what they believed was protecting them.

“We’ve found bones in near enough every room.

“One flew out at me and one I believe to be a finger.”

The couple have now finished the structural work on the property – and have just got two bedrooms and two bathrooms left to decorate.Emmie Brookman / SWNS

Emmie is now planning to put some on display and has a put a couple back into the wall.

She said: “They are part of the house.”

After researching into their home’s history they also discovered convicted murderer — James Hargreaves — lived next door.

Hargreaves was convicted of assaulting his housekeeper and then shot a young solicitor’s clerk in the back who had served the writ on him.

The couple have now finished the structural work on the property – and have just got two bedrooms and two bathrooms left to decorate.

Emmie estimates they have spent between $13,000 to $20,000 so far — and is renovating it “sympathetically” to keep in the style of the property.

She said: “If we’d have had professionals we’d be at £50K ($66,565) to £60K (79,878).

“I like to find something that has a story and fits in the house.

“We found reclaimed radiators from Facebook Marketplace from an old fire station.”