The Flatwoods Monster: West Virginia's 1952 UFO Encounter That Shocked America
The Flatwoods Monster case represents one of the most intriguing unexplained phenomena investigated by the show. This 1952 incident in West Virginia involved multiple witnesses, including Kathleen May and several children, who reported encountering a strange entity after seeing an unusual purple light in the sky. Frank Fashino Jr.'s detailed research has helped preserve crucial eyewitness testimony and environmental details that might otherwise have been lost to time.
Key Takeaways
The Flatwoods Monster investigation features rare firsthand accounts from witnesses and detailed environmental reconstructions.
Eyewitness testimonies describe a sulfurous smell and purple light preceding their encounter with the unexplained entity.
Flatwoods Monster Encounter Analysis
The Flatwoods Monster incident took place at dusk on a warm Indian summer evening in 1952. A group of witnesses, including Kathleen May and her sons Freddy and Eddie, along with Neil Nunley (14), Teddy Neil (13), Ronnie Shaver (10), and Tommy Hire, observed an unusual aerial phenomenon.
The sighting began when the witnesses saw a bright, purplish flare illuminate the sky and surrounding farm area. After gathering at Mrs. May's house, the group proceeded up a dirt and gravel path toward the Bailey Fisher farm where they believed the object had landed.
The location consisted of multiple distinct areas:
A large, level grass field (approximately the size of a football field)
A metal gate marking the boundary to the second area
A second field containing a small pear orchard
A gully to the right of the path
Wooded areas surrounding portions of the property
The witnesses brought along several dogs, including a collie and smaller Jack Russell-type dogs. As the group traveled across the first field, they reached and passed through a metal gate typically used to contain cattle and horses.
The path began to incline slightly as they continued. This section was known locally as "The Wagon Path" - a dirt trail with stones, bordered by woods on the left and the important gully on the right. The group then encountered a wooden gate with several slats.
At this point, the witnesses separated into two groups:
Lead group: Mrs. May, Gene Lemon, Neil Nunley, Eddie May, and Ronald Shaver
Trailing group: Freddy May, Teddy Neil, and the dogs
As they advanced up the hill, the witnesses noticed two concerning elements:
A strange sulfurous odor (described as similar to burnt-out radios)
A low-lying fog rolling down the hillside
The evening was unusually quiet, with no animals visible in the area, creating an eerie atmosphere as the witnesses continued their investigation up the path.
Frank Fashino Jr. Interview
Frank Fashino Jr. shares insights about his investigation into the Flatwoods Monster incident, including rare interviews and witness accounts that add depth to this well-known paranormal case. His detailed research spanning decades has helped preserve important firsthand testimonies and correct historical inaccuracies about the event.
Historical Background
The Flatwoods Monster incident became widely known through the Braxton Democrat newspaper. A.Y. Stewart Jr., co-owner of the paper with his father, was instrumental in breaking the story to the world through his attorney. This coverage transformed a local encounter into a case that would be discussed internationally for decades to come.
The incident involved several witnesses including Kathleen May (mother to two boys in the group), Neil Nunley (14), Freddy May (11), Eddie May (13), Ronnie Shaver (10), Tommy Hyer (who joined later), and Gene Lemon. The group had observed something unusual and decided to investigate as dusk approached on that warm Indian summer evening.
A.Y. Stewart Jr. Testimony
In the mid-1990s, Fashino conducted an extensive interview with A.Y. Stewart Jr. in North Carolina. During this weekend visit, Stewart was so captivated by Fashino's research materials that he reportedly stayed up all night reviewing the 10 pounds of documents Fashino had brought.
Stewart provided crucial information that helped complete the historical record. When shown Fashino's painting of the incident scene (which later became a book jacket cover), Stewart offered detailed corrections about the landscape:
He identified a small pear orchard that should have been included to the right of the second field
He noted differences in brush distribution and woodland boundaries
He clarified how the property layout appeared at the time of the incident
These corrections were significant because the landscape had changed considerably between the time of the incident and when Fashino began his investigations in the 1990s.
Witness Accounts Adjustments
Based on multiple witness interviews, Fashino had to repeatedly revise his visual depiction of the event. The witnesses described the following sequence:
Kathleen May and Gene Lemon grabbed a flashlight and left their home
They walked up a dirt and gravel path to the crest of a hill
The group crossed a large grassy field (approximately the size of a football field)
They passed through a metal gate that separated the first field from a second field containing a gully
The witnesses included several dogs: two small Jack Russell-type dogs and a collie
Mrs. May reported seeing a large purplish flare in the distance that momentarily illuminated the farm and sky. As the group proceeded along what they called "The Wagon Path," they encountered:
A wooden gate with three or four slats
A strange fog with a sulfurous odor (described by one witness as similar to burnt radio components)
The fog rolling down the hill as they continued upward
The group split at this point, with May and Lemon leading, followed by Neil Nunley and Eddie May, then Ronald Shaver. Trailing behind were Freddy May and Teddy Neil with the two dogs.
This careful attention to witness details has allowed Fashino to create what many consider the most accurate reconstruction of the Flatwoods Monster incident.
Investigation Details
Event Timeline and Witness Accounts
The Flatwoods Monster incident occurred at dusk when Kathleen May, mother of two boys in the group (Freddy and Eddie), grabbed a flashlight and ventured out with Gene Lemon. Several children were present that evening: Neil Nunley (14), Eddie May (13), Freddy May (11), Ronnie Shaver (10), and Tommy Hire who joined later. The group walked up a dirt and gravel path, reaching the crest of a hill that provided access to the Bailey Fisher farm.
As they reached the hilltop, Mrs. May observed a large purplish flare in the distance illuminating part of the farm and the sky before disappearing. The group continued across a large grassy field comparable to the size of a football field. The children were playful, throwing rocks and engaging in typical youthful behavior while two small Jack Russell-type dogs and a collie accompanied them.
Upon reaching a metal gate approximately a football field's length away, the older boys opened it, allowing everyone to pass through before securing it again with wire. They proceeded along what locals called "The Wagon Path" - a dirt path with stones that inclined slightly, with woods on the left and a gully on the right.
Landscape Changes and Challenges
The investigation's accuracy required careful documentation of the landscape, which had undergone significant changes since the incident. During interviews in the mid-1990s with A.J. Stewart Jr. (co-owner of the Braxton Democrat newspaper), valuable details about the original landscape emerged that hadn't been previously recorded.
Stewart identified several missing elements in early reconstruction attempts:
A small pear orchard with trees behind the second field
Additional brush in specific areas
Different woodland boundaries
Precise location of the gully relative to the path
The group's journey involved navigating several distinct areas:
The initial large grassy field
The metal gate leading to cattle and horse pastures
The wagon path with its slight incline
A wooden gate constructed of posts with 3-4 slats
These landscape details proved crucial for accurate reconstruction, as witnesses described how the primary group (May, Lemon, Nunley, Eddie May, and Ronald Shaver) moved ahead while Freddy May and Teddy Neil lagged behind near the second gate with the dogs.
Painting Repainting Process
The documentation of the Flatwoods incident required multiple revisions to capture accurate visual representations. The initial illustration began development in the mid-1990s and eventually became the book jacket cover. However, this artwork underwent numerous modifications based on witness testimonies.
When presented with the original painting, Stewart provided critical feedback after studying it carefully. He identified missing elements that had been overlooked:
The pear orchard's specific position
Correct placement of brush and vegetation
Woodland boundaries that differed from initial depictions
Various terrain features that had changed over time
This led to an extensive revision process involving:
Creating preliminary sketches during witness interviews
Complete repainting of sections to incorporate new details
Withholding the final glaze application for years until all witness accounts were reconciled
The painting captured the atmospheric conditions of that Indian summer evening, including the low-hanging fog that witnesses described as having a distinct sulfurous odor similar to burnt-out radios. This unusual fog rolled down the hill as the group continued their ascent up the mountain path in the warm evening air.
Witness Testimonies
The May-Nunley Group and Associates
Kathleen May, mother of Freddy (11) and Eddie (13), led the group investigating the strange phenomenon on the Bailey Fisher farm that evening. Accompanying them was Eugene Lemon, with Neil Nunley (14), Ronnie Shaver (10), and Tommy Hyer who joined later after seeing the commotion at Mrs. May's residence. The party formed spontaneously after witnessing what appeared to be an unusual aerial object.
The group's composition was primarily neighborhood children, with Mrs. May and Eugene Lemon being the only adults present. The witnesses also brought several dogs along, including a collie and two smaller Jack Russell-type dogs, which would later play a significant role in the encounter sequence.
Several local residents have reported they nearly joined this historic group but decided against it at the last moment - a decision some would later describe as "the biggest mistake" of their careers, particularly for one who later became a newspaper reporter.
The Missed Opportunity
Several potential witnesses almost participated in the remarkable events. A small group of children initially gathered at the May house after seeing the unusual activity but lost their nerve and departed before the main investigation began. One of these individuals later established a career in journalism, eventually operating his own small newspaper.
This man would later characterize his decision to leave as a profound professional regret. The incident became world-famous almost immediately, receiving extensive media coverage through the Braxton Democrat newspaper, whose co-owner A.J. Stewart Jr. was instrumental in bringing the story to international attention.
The timing proved critical - had these additional witnesses remained with the group, more corroborating testimonies might have been available. Instead, they missed witnessing what became one of the most documented unexplained encounters in the region's history, a case that would continue to generate interest for decades afterward.
Field Investigation Details
Mrs. May's Leadership Role
Mrs. Kathleen May took charge of the situation on that fateful evening, demonstrating remarkable courage as she led the group of children up the hill. As mother to two of the boys, Freddy (11) and Eddie (13), she grabbed a flashlight and stepped forward when the children reported something unusual. Gene Lemon, a National Guardsman who happened to be present, accompanied her as they left her home and headed toward the site where the object had reportedly landed.
The group formation showed Mrs. May's natural leadership, with her and Lemon positioned at the front as they navigated the path toward the unknown phenomenon. Eddie May stayed close behind his mother while the younger children followed at various distances. Her decision to investigate rather than dismiss the children's claims demonstrated both her protective instincts and curious nature when faced with the unexplained.
Description of Physical Setting
The incident occurred on the Bailey Fisher farm property near Flatwoods, West Virginia. The terrain featured a distinctive layout that played an important role in how events unfolded that evening:
First field: A large, open grassy area approximately the size of a football field
Metal gate: Located at the far end of the first field, requiring opening and securing
Second field: Located beyond the metal gate, containing the important gully area
Small pear orchard: Positioned to the right rear of the second field
The witnesses accessed the area via a dirt and gravel road that crested a hill before leveling out into the main field. After crossing the first field and passing through the metal gate, the group followed what locals called "The Wagon Path" - a dirt trail with scattered stones that inclined slightly upward.
To the right of this path lay the critical gully area, while a wooded section bordered the left side. The path eventually led to a wooden gate with several horizontal slats that served as another boundary marker. The evening conditions included unusually warm temperatures for September, consistent with what locals described as "Indian summer" weather.
A distinctive sulfurous odor permeated the area, described by one witness as similar to burned-out radio components. This smell accompanied a low-lying fog that rolled down the hillside, creating an increasingly eerie atmosphere as the group progressed further along the path.
Mrs. May's Leadership
Mrs. Kathleen May took charge of the situation on that fateful evening, demonstrating remarkable courage as she led the group of children up the hill. As mother to two of the boys, Freddy (11) and Eddie (13), she grabbed a flashlight and stepped forward when the children reported something unusual. Gene Lemon, a National Guardsman who happened to be present, accompanied her as they left her home and headed toward the site where the object had reportedly landed.
The group formation showed Mrs. May's natural leadership, with her and Lemon positioned at the front as they navigated the path toward the unknown phenomenon. Eddie May stayed close behind his mother while the younger children followed at various distances. Her decision to investigate rather than dismiss the children's claims demonstrated both her protective instincts and curious nature when faced with the unexplained.
Description of Physical Setting
The incident occurred on the Bailey Fisher farm property near Flatwoods, West Virginia. The terrain featured a distinctive layout that played an important role in how events unfolded that evening:
First field: A large, open grassy area approximately the size of a football field
Metal gate: Located at the far end of the first field, requiring opening and securing
Second field: Located beyond the metal gate, containing the important gully area
Small pear orchard: Positioned to the right rear of the second field
The witnesses accessed the area via a dirt and gravel road that crested a hill before leveling out into the main field. After crossing the first field and passing through the metal gate, the group followed what locals called "The Wagon Path" - a dirt trail with scattered stones that inclined slightly upward.
To the right of this path lay the critical gully area, while a wooded section bordered the left side. The path eventually led to a wooden gate with several horizontal slats that served as another boundary marker. The evening conditions included unusually warm temperatures for September, consistent with what locals described as "Indian summer" weather.
A distinctive sulfurous odor permeated the area, described by one witness as similar to burned-out radio components. This smell accompanied a low-lying fog that rolled down the hillside, creating an increasingly eerie atmosphere as the group progressed further along the path.
Conclusion
The Flatwoods Monster incident remains a significant piece of American paranormal history. Through detailed interviews with key witnesses and extensive on-site research, investigators have been able to reconstruct the events of that September evening in remarkable detail.
The landscape itself played a crucial role in the encounter. Fields, wooden gates, and a distinctive gully formed the backdrop where witnesses reported their strange experience. Environmental factors such as the Indian summer warmth and an unusual sulfurous fog created an atmospheric setting for the encounter.
Witness testimony provides a compelling timeline of events. Kathleen May, her sons, and several local children formed the group that ventured toward the sighting location. The witnesses organized themselves in a specific formation as they progressed, with Mrs. May and Gene Lemon leading, followed by Neil Nunley, Eddie May, and Ronald Shaver, while Freddy May and Teddy Neil trailed behind with the dogs.
The story's documentation owes much to individuals like A.J. Stewart Jr., co-owner of the Braxton Democrat newspaper, who first broke the Flatwoods story to the world. His detailed knowledge of the area proved invaluable in creating accurate visual representations of the encounter site, including details about pear orchards and landscape elements that had changed over time.
This case demonstrates how paranormal investigations benefit from persistent research and relationships with primary witnesses. Multiple visits to the site, interviews conducted over years, and attention to changing landscape details have all contributed to a more complete understanding of what transpired that evening in Flatwoods.
