Probably explained
The Flatwoods Monster
After seeing a bright light streak across the sky and land on a hill, a group of boys and local mother Kathleen May went to look. Their flashlight caught a tall figure with a spade-shaped head and glowing eyes, and an awful smell. Several of them became ill afterward.
Weigh the evidence
The ledger
What the record shows, what people say, and the best explanation available so far.
What's documented
- Multiple witnesses gave consistent accounts to reporters.
- A bright meteor was seen over several states that night.
What's claimed
- An alien landed in rural West Virginia.
Best explanation so far
Investigator Joe Nickell proposed a mix of the meteor, a pulsing aircraft beacon and a startled barn owl in a tree, magnified by fear in the dark.
Where to look
Check the sources
Go to the originals. Every link opens the archive or record in a new tab.