Flatwoods Monster

The Flatwoods Monster, also called the Braxton County Monster, is a cryptid reportedly encountered near Flatwoods, West Virginia, on the evening of September 12, 1952. The incident began when local residents observed a bright object streak across the sky and apparently crash or land on a nearby hilltop.

A group of seven witnesses, including local boys and adults, decided to investigate the supposed crash site. The party was led by Kathleen May, a local mother, along with her two sons, their friend Tommy Hyer, National Guardsman Gene Lemon, and two other boys. They climbed the hill toward where the object had been seen.

Upon reaching the area, the witnesses reported encountering a foul, metallic smell and seeing a pulsing red light. Gene Lemon, who was leading with a flashlight, claimed to spot a towering figure with a spade-shaped head and glowing orange-red eyes. Descriptions varied, but the entity was generally described as 10-12 feet tall with a dark, hooded or cowl-like head and a dress-like lower body that may have been mechanical.

The group fled in terror and later reported the incident to local authorities and newspapers. The story quickly gained national attention, becoming one of the most famous West Virginia monster encounters alongside the Mothman sightings.

Skeptical investigators have proposed several explanations for the sighting, including misidentification of a large owl perched on a tree branch, possibly startled and illuminated by the flashlight. The foul smell could have been residual gas from a meteor that may have passed overhead earlier. The pulsing red light remains unexplained but could have been unrelated aircraft navigation lights.

The incident has become deeply embedded in West Virginia folklore and UFO mythology, spawning numerous books, documentaries, and tourist attractions in the region.