"The Kendall UFO Abduction: 8 Hours Lost on a California Highway" | True Paranormal Encounters
In November 1972, Judy Kendall and her two younger sisters experienced a troubling incident during what should have been a routine drive from Bodega Bay to Woodland, California. After crossing the Cash Creek Bridge, the women found themselves in an inexplicable situation where they seemed to be driving endlessly without reaching their expected turnoff. Mysteriously, they suddenly found themselves back at the same bridge they had crossed earlier, and when they finally arrived home, they discovered eight hours had passed instead of the typical three-hour journey.
This perplexing event remained largely forgotten until 1977, when Kendall spotted a strange disc-shaped craft hovering in the night sky. This sighting prompted her to contact UFO researchers, eventually leading to a hypnotic regression session with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a Northwestern University astronomer. Under hypnosis, Kendall recalled being taken aboard a craft where three types of beings—humanoids in gray suits, a compassionate human-looking woman, and a tall frightening entity she called "The Witch Doctor"—conducted what appeared to be a medical examination on her. The experience would later become the subject of public interest when Kendall agreed to speak at a UFO conference in 1979.
Key Takeaways
Judy Kendall and her sisters experienced missing time and disorientation during a drive in 1972, with a three-hour journey inexplicably taking eight hours.
A UFO sighting in 1977 prompted Kendall to undergo hypnotic regression, revealing memories of being examined by different types of beings aboard a craft.
As a court secretary from Woodland, Kendall shared her encounter publicly at a 1979 UFO conference, stating she wanted to tell her story without seeking profit.
Judy Kendall's Testimony
The 1972 Incident
On November 26, 1972, Judy Kendall, then 28, and her two high school-aged sisters were driving home to Woodland after visiting their grandmother in Bodega Bay. What should have been a routine 3-hour journey took an unexpected turn after they crossed Cash Creek Bridge, approximately 10 miles west of Woodland.
"After we crossed the bridge, we kept driving but didn't seem to be getting anywhere," Kendall noted. Despite seeing familiar scenery and foothills passing by, the expected turnoff never appeared. The sisters grew increasingly confused and alarmed.
Mysteriously, they suddenly found themselves back at Cash Creek Bridge. After crossing it a second time, they were able to complete their journey normally, though Kendall recalled feeling extraordinarily tired. When they finally arrived at their parents' home, they were shocked to discover it was 12:30 a.m. – their trip had inexplicably taken 8 hours instead of 3.
The sisters verified on a road map that there was no logical way they could have driven in circles. "I've known that road since childhood," Kendall explained. "I knew the area perfectly well." Unable to explain the missing time, they temporarily put the incident behind them.
Subsequent UFO Sighting in 1977
Five years later, in 1977, Kendall observed a strange craft hovering in the night sky near YOLO. She described it as a whitish, dish-shaped object with lights that changed in intensity and color before disappearing.
This sighting prompted Kendall to reconsider the 1972 incident. Following a friend's advice, she contacted the Mutual UFO Network in Chicago and spoke with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer at Northwestern University with connections to UFO research organizations.
Dr. Hynek, finding Kendall credible, suggested hypnotic regression to uncover potential memories from the 1972 event. On November 26, 1977 – exactly five years after the incident – Kendall underwent hypnosis.
Under hypnosis, Kendall recalled:
Feeling intense cold and a void around the car
Being floated out of the vehicle
Waking in a large hexagonal room with windows showing stars
Being restrained on a hard, cold table that caused significant head pain
Kendall described three types of beings:
Beings in gray suits - Wearing skintight attire with turtlenecks and gas masks covering their lower faces
A human-appearing female - Blue-eyed with long black hair who seemed compassionate
"The Witch Doctor" - A 6-7 foot tall being with a bulbous head, huge gelatinous eyes with red pupils, transparent skin showing red veins, and slits instead of ears
During the examination, Kendall experienced:
Catheterization
Extraction of fluid from her side
Breathing difficulties
Arm restraint
Persistent headaches
A large scanning device placed over her face
Kendall believed she heard one sister calling out in distress but wasn't certain if both siblings were brought aboard. The beings rarely spoke aloud, leading her to suspect they communicated telepathically among themselves.
Public Information Release
Conference Appearance
Judy Kendall, a 35-year-old secretary at Yolo County Superior Court, became known for her scheduled appearance at a UFO conference hosted by the Aware Center. The event took place at the University Religious Center on Isha Avenue, across from California State University Fullerton. Kendall had no financial motivation behind sharing her story—she simply wanted people to hear about her experiences involving:
Missing time
Encounters with strange entities
Her decision to speak publicly came after reconsidering an unusual incident from 1972 following a UFO sighting she had in 1977.
Pre-Event Media Coverage
Before the conference, Kendall received attention from several news outlets including the Fresno B and Fresno Daily Collegium. In an interview with reporter Royal Cockins, she expressed surprise at the public's interest in her story. She informed reporters that her full account would be shared at the conference.
Following her 1977 UFO sighting near the community of YOLO, Kendall had contacted the Mutual UFO Network in Chicago. She also consulted with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer at Northwestern University and UFO researcher. Dr. Hynek:
Found her testimony credible
Noted her good community standing
Arranged for hypnotic regression exactly five years after her initial experience
Recorded the session for his research
Under hypnosis, Kendall revealed details about being examined by three types of beings inside a hexagonal room with windows showing stars. The session uncovered memories previously lost to her—details that would form the basis of her conference presentation.
Missing Time Analysis
Initial Disorientation and Discovery
Individuals who experience missing time episodes often report a disturbing sense that hours have passed without their awareness. This phenomenon typically begins with confusion about the current time compared to their last memory. Many victims notice discrepancies when checking clocks or watches, finding that several hours have elapsed during what felt like mere minutes.
The realization frequently triggers anxiety and disbelief. People commonly question their memory, checking for evidence of where they might have been or what they might have done during the unaccounted period. These cases share striking similarities despite occurring to unrelated individuals across different geographic locations.
Dr. Hynek's Scientific Examination
Dr. J. Allen Hynek, renowned for his systematic approach to unexplained phenomena, developed specific protocols for investigating missing time incidents. His methodology included thorough interviews with witnesses, medical examinations, and psychological assessments to rule out conventional explanations.
His research identified several patterns across cases:
Common Factors Frequency Notable Characteristics Driving alone on rural roads Very High Often at night Unusual light sightings High Typically before memory gap Electronic malfunctions Moderate Watches stopping, car electrical issues Physical symptoms afterward Common Unexplained marks, fatigue, disorientation
Dr. Hynek's work emphasized the importance of treating witnesses with respect while maintaining scientific rigor. He found that conventional explanations failed to account for the consistency of reports across different demographics.
Hypnotic Regression Procedures
Hypnotic regression emerged as a controversial but potentially valuable tool for investigating missing time cases. The process involves a trained hypnotherapist guiding subjects into a relaxed state where they may access memories not available to conscious recall.
During typical sessions, subjects are carefully monitored for signs of confabulation or suggestion. Most practitioners follow a strict protocol:
Pre-hypnosis interview - Establishing baseline memories and experiences
Gradual induction - Carefully guiding the subject into a receptive state
Non-leading questions - Avoiding implications or suggestions
Real-time documentation - Recording sessions for later analysis
Critics point to concerns about false memory creation, while proponents emphasize cases where subjects recalled verifiable details they couldn't have known otherwise. The scientific community remains divided on the reliability of information obtained through this method.
Extraterrestrial Encounter Accounts
Physical Setting and Immobilization
The experience began after crossing Cash Creek Bridge, approximately 10 miles west of Woodland. What should have been a familiar 10-minute drive segment inexplicably stretched into a disorienting loop. The surrounding environment—familiar hills and landscape—continued to pass by without the expected turnoff ever appearing. This peculiar spatial distortion created the sensation of driving endlessly without making progress, despite the scenery appearing normal.
Inside the craft, the environment was distinctly cold. The examination room featured a hexagonal shape with windows revealing stars outside. The craft contained specialized equipment including:
A console with instrument panels
A gear-like shifting mechanism
A table holding various instruments and a black box
Bucket-style seats facing the control console
The restraint system was particularly uncomfortable, with the head held immobile by a painful device that prevented movement. The examination table itself was described as hard and cold to the touch.
Encountered Entities
Three distinct types of beings were present during the encounter:
Entity Type Appearance Communication Behavior Masked Beings Wore skintight gray suits with turtleneck tops and oxygen/gas masks covering lower faces Non-verbal Performed procedures Human-like Female Blue eyes, long black hair, completely human appearance Verbal, reassuring Compassionate, knew subject by name "Witch Doctor" 6-7 feet tall, bulbous head, large gelatinous eyes with red elongated pupils, transparent white skin with visible red veins, ear slits instead of ears, small nose, minimal mouth Limited verbal ("It will be okay") through what sounded like a megaphone or machine Led examination, frightening presence
The entities appeared to communicate with each other telepathically, as no verbal exchanges between them were observed. Only the human-like female and the "Witch Doctor" communicated directly with the subject.
Medical Examination and Procedures
The examination was comprehensive and invasive, involving several distinct procedures:
Scanning: A large device placed over the face, emitting motor sounds
Fluid extraction: Removal of unidentified fluid from the subject's side, causing pain
Catheterization: Invasive procedure causing discomfort
Foot examination: Detailed inspection of feet
Partial restraint: One arm/hand immobilized during certain procedures
Throughout the examination, the subject experienced:
Persistent severe headaches
Shaking sensations
Breathing difficulties at times
Extreme cold with only brief periods of relief
The subject reported hearing one sister calling out in distress, suggesting family members may have been subjected to similar examinations, though this couldn't be confirmed with certainty. The procedures appeared methodical and purposeful, though their exact objectives remained unclear to the subject.
Consequences and Repercussions
Mental and Emotional Toll
After the encounter, I experienced significant psychological effects. The unexplained lost time and strange experiences left me with a lingering sense of confusion and distress. For five years, I attempted to dismiss the incident, but it remained in my subconscious, affecting me in ways I didn't fully understand. The hypnotic regression session revealed traumatic memories that had been suppressed, including intense fear, physical pain, and helplessness during the examination.
The memory of the "witch doctor" being was particularly disturbing, causing such extreme fear that I refused to continue discussing this entity during hypnosis. My sisters and I never spoke much about what happened that night, perhaps as a coping mechanism. The experience of being restrained, examined, and manipulated left psychological scars that manifested as anxiety and confusion about that night's events.
Public Response and Recognition
My decision to share my experience publicly at the UFO conference sparked unexpected interest. Local newspapers including the Fresno Bee and Fresno Daily Collegian reached out for interviews beforehand. I was genuinely surprised by the public's response to my story.
Despite the attention, I maintained that my motivation wasn't financial gain but rather the need to share what happened. This stance helped establish my credibility with researchers. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer from Northwestern University and respected UFO researcher, found me to be sincere and noted my good community standing.
The validation from a scientific professional was significant in legitimizing my experience. Dr. Hynek took my case seriously enough to travel to California and arrange hypnotic regression, demonstrating that my account warranted serious investigation rather than dismissal.
