Why two siblings locked themselves in a room for 54 days

In 2023, Ty and Bryn Larson from Utah barricaded themselves inside a bedroom and didn’t come out for 54 days.

They live-streamed the whole thing, drawing in huge audiences from across the world and making national news in the US.

Now, in a Hulu docuseries being shown on Disney Plus, the siblings’ story is being told over two episodes, featuring never-before-seen footage.

The Nightmare Upstairs: What Happened to Ty and Bryn? features interviews with family members and takes a look back at the footage that went viral.

Who are Ty and Bryn?

When they locked themselves in an upstairs bedroom, brother and sister Ty and Bryn were 15 and 12.

In the documentary, the teenager can be seen placing heavy objects like shelving units against the door and using a power drill to stick planks of wood across it.

They are the children of Jessica Zahrt and Brent Larson – the pair were married for 13 years before divorcing in 2012.

Bryn and Ty have accused their father of physical, mental and sexual abuse – he has consistently denied these allegations.

Why did they lock themselves in a room for 45 days?

Bryn and Ty decided to barricade themselves inside an upstairs bedroom in protest of a court-mandated reunification therapy with their dad.

In a TikTok video at the time, Ty said: ‘The court system isn’t trying to save us; nobody’s trying to keep us safe. I am the one that’s going to have to choose my own safety.’

In the documentary, the now 18-year-old explains: ‘Me and my little sister have been refusing to go to visits with my biological father, and now I’m having to be barricaded in my room to stay safe.’

Brent hasn’t been criminally charged in relation to any of the abuse allegations.

Where are they now?

After the 54-day protest, a judge delated the enforcement and the stand-off ended. However, a ruling then required Ty and Bryn to resume visits with their father.

As a result, 17-year-old Ty filed for emancipation with hopes of becoming legally recognised as an independent adult.

He was encouraged by his attorney to go no contact with his family to show he could live alone.

This was finally granted, and Ty moved back in with Zahrt and Bryn, according to People. Zahrt now has full custody of Bryn.

Where are Brent Larson and Jessica Zahrt now?

Their father, Larson, claims his children’s extreme response to the court order is due to ‘parental alienation’ caused by their mother.

The term, which is a debated concept and not recognised an an official medical or psychiatric disorder, refers to a child refusing to have a relationship with a parent due to manipulation by the other parent, according to Psychology Today.

Zahrt told ProPublica: ‘I literally had to wrap my brain around what I was even being accused of.’

And clinical psychologist Monica Christy, who evaluated the children, disputed Brent’s accusations, as reported by People.

In 2024, Larson agreed not to pursue reunification.

As per a TikTok post from Zahrt, she said: ‘My ex-husband and I mediated successfully, just prior to Christmas. My ex has freed Ty and Bryn from the chains of the reunification industry and family court, for good. I cannot imagine that decision was easy for him.’

The Nightmare Upstairs: What Happened to Ty and Bryn? is available to watch on Disney Plus.

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