The Terrifying 1977 Owens Family UFO Encounter in Tennessee
In the quiet rural landscape of Eastern Tennessee, an ordinary family outing in June 1977 transformed into a terrifying encounter with the unknown. Edna Owens and her four children were returning home from grocery shopping in Telford when they noticed a strange light hovering above a field near their home. What began as curiosity quickly evolved into fear as the unidentified object appeared to track their movements, following them first to their house and then pursuing their vehicle as they fled.
The situation escalated when the object positioned itself directly over the Owens' home, bathing it in light and emitting crackling, electrical sounds. Fearing for their safety, Edna gathered her children and made a desperate escape, instructing them not to look up or back. Unfortunately, her youngest daughter Donna glanced out the rear window and witnessed something so frightening that she required a week of hospitalization to recover from the trauma. The mysterious object pursued their car for miles, only retreating when they approached a populated area, before vanishing entirely.
Key Takeaways
A rural Tennessee family experienced a terrifying close encounter with a glowing unidentified object that seemed to deliberately follow and target them.
The object exhibited intelligent behavior, responding to the family's actions and pursuing their vehicle for miles before mysteriously vanishing.
The encounter resulted in severe psychological trauma for the youngest daughter, highlighting the profound impact such experiences can have on witnesses.
The Owens Family UFO Pursuit
In June 1977, Edna Owens and her four children experienced a terrifying encounter with an unidentified flying object that would leave lasting emotional scars. After a routine shopping trip to Telford in Washington County, the family was returning to their rural Eastern Tennessee home when they first noticed something unusual in the night sky.
Edna initially spotted a strange light hovering above a field near their property. The light disappeared momentarily before reappearing closer to their house. Her 16-year-old daughter Regina also noticed it, and soon all family members were watching with curiosity.
Pulling off the road for a better view, they observed what they described as a "great big light" that moved "like a spotlight" approximately 500 feet from their house. Growing uneasy, Edna suggested they continue home, but the object seemed to respond to this decision, moving toward their house as well.
The family hurriedly unloaded groceries from their car while keeping watch on the mysterious object now hovering over a small pond between their house and barn. In an attempt to make the object lose interest, they turned off all household lights, but this seemed to have the opposite effect.
"In 2 or 3 minutes the whole house lit up, and I knew it was over top of the house," Edna later recalled. "I could sense rather than see that something was over the house." A strange crackling and popping sound, similar to electricity, further heightened their terror.
Fearing for their safety, Edna made a quick decision to flee. She warned her children not to look up or back as they rushed to the car. Regina reached the vehicle first and received an electrical shock when touching the door handle. The house suddenly illuminated, confirming their fears that the object was directly overhead.
Despite Edna's warning, 11-year-old Donna looked out the rear window and became hysterical, screaming that the object was "right behind us and on top of the car." As they sped away, the UFO pursued them for miles, only retreating when they approached a Country Store with other people present.
The encounter had severe consequences for young Donna, who became so distressed she required hospitalization for a week. When later interviewed by Susan Bedrick from Midnight magazine, Donna described seeing a round object with blue lights that was "after us."
Edna acknowledged how unbelievable their story might sound to others. "I know I sound crazy trying to explain this, but I saw what I saw," she stated. "I never really believed in UFOs or took them seriously, not until this happened to us."
This case shares similarities with numerous reports where UFOs pursue vehicles on isolated roads. Notably, many witnesses instinctively seek out public areas or other people when being followed by such objects, suggesting a collective understanding that multiple witnesses might deter whatever agenda these objects possess.
Initial Sighting
In June 1977, Edna Owens and her four children were returning home after shopping at a grocery store in Telford, Washington County. As they drove along the dark road toward their rural Tennessee home, Edna first noticed an unusual light hovering above a nearby field. Initially, she remained silent about her observation, thinking it might be a falling star, until the light disappeared and reappeared closer to their property.
When Edna's 16-year-old daughter Regina also spotted the strange light, excitement spread through the vehicle as everyone turned their attention to the phenomenon. Intrigued, Edna pulled the car over so they could get a better look. The family described what they saw as a "great big light" that moved "like a spotlight" approximately 500 feet from their house.
Growing uneasy with the situation, Edna decided they should continue home. Strangely, the object seemed to react to this decision, moving toward their house as well. Upon reaching their driveway, the family hurriedly unloaded their groceries while keeping watch on the object, which now hovered above a small pond between their house and barn.
Once inside, they switched off all lights, hoping the object would lose interest—a strategy that backfired. Within minutes, the entire house lit up as the object positioned itself directly overhead. Edna recalled sensing its presence and hearing an unsettling "crackling and popping" sound similar to electricity.
Fearing for their safety, Edna gathered her children and made a critical decision to flee. "I told them not to look up or back," she warned as they rushed toward the car. Regina, first to reach the vehicle, received an electrical shock when touching the door handle, amplifying their terror.
As they hastily piled into the car, 11-year-old Donna looked out the back window and became hysterical, screaming, "It's right behind us and on top of the car!" The object pursued them for miles down the dark road, only retreating when they approached a country store with other people present. According to Edna, it hovered about 200 feet away for approximately ten minutes before vanishing completely.
The encounter had profound effects on the family, particularly Donna, who was so traumatized she required hospitalization for a week. When later interviewed by Susan Bedrick from Midnight Magazine, Donna described seeing a round object with blue lights that seemed intent on following them.
Edna, once skeptical about UFOs, confessed, "I know I sound crazy trying to explain this, but I saw what I saw. I never really believed in UFOs or took them seriously—not until this happened to us."
Increasing Proximity
The Owens family encounter of June 1977 demonstrates the alarming way some UFO phenomena seem to deliberately reduce distance between themselves and witnesses. Edna Owens and her four children were returning home from grocery shopping in Telford, Washington County when they first noticed unusual lights above a nearby field.
Initially appearing like a falling star, the light vanished momentarily before reappearing closer to their home. As the family's interest grew, Edna pulled off the road to observe what they described as a "great big light that went around like a spotlight" approximately 500 feet from their house.
The object's behavior became particularly unsettling when it appeared to react to their conversation. When Edna suggested they proceed home, the object seemed to anticipate their movements and began moving toward the house as well. Upon arriving home, the family frantically unloaded groceries while watching the object hover over a small pond between their house and barn.
Escalating Presence
Object moved from distant field to home vicinity
Appeared to track family movements
Positioned itself above their house
Emitted sounds described as "crackling and popping like electricity"
Illuminated the entire house from above
The family's attempt to hide by turning off all house lights backfired dramatically. Within minutes, the entire house lit up as the object positioned itself directly overhead. This prompted Edna to make the critical decision to evacuate, warning her children not to look up or back as they rushed to the car.
When the oldest daughter, Regina, touched the car door handle, she received an electrical shock. Meanwhile, 11-year-old Donna looked out the back window and became hysterical upon seeing what she later described as a "round" object with "blue lights" that was "right behind us and on top of the car."
The pursuit continued for miles as they fled. The object maintained its position just above their vehicle, only retreating when they approached a country store where other people would be present. After hovering approximately 200 feet away for about 10 minutes, the object simply vanished without ascending or descending.
Donna's trauma was so severe she required a week of hospitalization. When later interviewed by Susan Bedrick from Midnight magazine, the young girl remained convinced that the object was deliberately "after" their family.
This case joins thousands of similar reports in UFO literature where objects pursue vehicles on isolated roads. Interestingly, witnesses in such encounters often instinctively seek other people, suggesting a subconscious understanding that multiple witnesses might deter whatever intentions these phenomena may have.
Reaction and Decision to Leave
The family's initial excitement turned to fear as they observed the strange light moving toward their home. Edna, sensing potential danger, made the quick decision to leave. "I guess I kind of panicked and told the kids we were getting out," she recalled. The situation escalated when the house suddenly lit up while they were inside with all lights off.
Edna gathered her children at the door, preparing for their escape. "I told them not to look up or back," she warned, fearing their reaction if they saw the object directly. She believed they would be safer among other people rather than isolated in their rural home.
The escape became chaotic as Regina rushed out first, experiencing an electrical shock when touching the car door handle. The family scrambled into the vehicle in panic. Despite Edna's warning, 11-year-old Donna looked out the back window and saw something terrifying.
"It's right behind us and on top of the car!" Donna screamed, becoming completely hysterical. What she later described as a "round object with blue lights" had apparently followed them from the house.
The object pursued their car for miles, hovering just feet above them. It only retreated when they approached a country store where other people might be present. Even after the object vanished, Donna remained inconsolable. Her severe trauma resulted in hospitalization for a week as she struggled to recover from the encounter.
When interviewed later by Susan Bedrick from Midnight magazine, Edna acknowledged how unbelievable their story might sound. "I know I sound crazy trying to explain this, but I saw what I saw," she stated firmly. Before this experience, she had never taken UFO reports seriously.
The Pursuit
In June 1977, the Owens family experienced an unsettling encounter that would leave lasting trauma. Edna Owens and her four children—Regina (16), Donna (11), and two unnamed siblings—were returning home after grocery shopping in Telford, Washington County. As they traveled through rural Eastern Tennessee at night, Edna noticed an unusual light above a field near their home. The light vanished momentarily before reappearing closer to their property.
Regina spotted it too, and soon all family members were watching with curiosity. Edna pulled over to observe what they described as a "great big light" that moved "like a spotlight" approximately 500 feet from their house. Growing uneasy, Edna suggested they continue home, but the object seemed to react to this decision, moving toward their house simultaneously.
Upon reaching their driveway, the family hurriedly unloaded groceries while keeping watch on the object now hovering above a small pond between their house and barn. They rushed inside and turned off all lights, hoping the object would lose interest. This strategy backfired dramatically.
Within minutes, the entire house lit up from the outside. Edna recalled, "I could sense rather than see that something was over the house." A distinctive crackling and popping sound, reminiscent of electricity, filled the air. Fearing for their safety, Edna made the critical decision to flee.
She gathered her children at the door, instructing them not to look up or back as they ran to the car. Regina reached the vehicle first, receiving an electrical shock when touching the door handle. As they prepared to leave, the house suddenly became illuminated, confirming the object's position directly above them.
Despite her instructions, 11-year-old Donna looked out the back window as they drove away. What she witnessed terrified her completely:
A round object with blue lights
Positioned directly behind their vehicle
Seemingly pursuing them intentionally
The object followed their car for miles, maintaining a position just above the vehicle. It only retreated when they approached a country store where other people might be present. Even then, it hovered about 200 feet away for approximately ten minutes before vanishing entirely—not ascending or descending, but simply disappearing.
The encounter left young Donna so severely traumatized that she became hysterical and required hospitalization for a week. When later interviewed by Susan Bedrick from Midnight magazine, Donna confirmed she believed the object was "after us."
Edna, previously skeptical about UFOs, acknowledged how extraordinary her account might sound: "I know I sound crazy trying to explain this, but I saw what I saw." The incident fundamentally changed her perspective on unexplained phenomena.
This case fits a pattern found in hundreds of similar reports where unknown objects pursue vehicles on isolated roads. Notably, witnesses often instinctively seek public areas with multiple witnesses, as if understanding that visibility and acknowledgment might deter these objects—suggesting that recognition may be what these phenomena most avoid.
Aftermath of the Encounter
The psychological impact of the UFO sighting proved devastating for the Owens family, particularly for 11-year-old Donna. After glimpsing the object through the car's back window during their frantic escape, she became completely hysterical. "It's right behind us and on top of the car!" she had screamed as they fled. Even after they reached safety and the object disappeared, Donna remained in a state of extreme distress.
The trauma was so severe that Donna required hospitalization for an entire week. She couldn't speak about the experience during this time, needing extensive care to recover from the psychological shock. Only after this recovery period was she finally able to describe what she had seen: "It was over the house. There were blue lights on it and it was round. It followed us. It was after us."
Susan Bedrick from Midnight Magazine later contacted the family about featuring their experience. Despite the publication's typical focus on celebrity gossip and horoscopes, the journalist recognized the significance of the Owens' encounter. When interviewed, Edna Owens acknowledged how unbelievable her story might sound to others. "I know I sound crazy trying to explain this, but I saw what I saw," she stated firmly.
The encounter fundamentally changed Edna's worldview. Before the incident, she had never given much credence to UFO reports. "I never really believed in UFOs or took them seriously, not until this happened to us," she admitted during the interview. This transformation from skeptic to believer echoes countless other witnesses who only accepted the possibility of such phenomena after personal experience.
The family's instinct to seek safety among other people appears common in similar encounters. They seemed to understand intuitively that the presence of witnesses might deter whatever was pursuing them. This pattern repeats throughout UFO literature, suggesting that recognition by multiple observers may somehow inhibit these objects.
Media Interest and Interview
Susan Bedrick from Midnight Magazine reached out to the Owens family after hearing about their UFO encounter. Though primarily focused on celebrity gossip and horoscopes, the magazine took interest in this extraordinary story. Edna Owens agreed to have the magazine visit her home to conduct interviews with her family.
By this time, 11-year-old Donna had just recovered from her traumatic experience that had required a week of hospitalization. She was finally able to discuss what happened that night. When asked by Bedrick to describe what she saw when she looked out the car's back window, Donna stated: "It was over the house. There were blue lights on it and it was round. It followed us. It was after us."
During the interview, Edna acknowledged how incredible the story must sound to others. "I know I sound crazy trying to explain this, but I saw what I saw," she told Bedrick. Before this incident, Edna admitted she had been skeptical about UFO reports: "I never really believed in UFOs or took them seriously, not until this happened to us."
The family described the object as a "great big light that went around like a spotlight" and estimated it was approximately 500 feet from their house initially. The interview provided an opportunity for the family to share details about the strange sound they heard—described as a "crackling and popping like electricity"—and how the object appeared to react to their actions in real-time.
End File# RikVoorhaar/text-mining
data/anthropic_claude3opus/2024-05-21_2d18aba051fa6d43bc95a1f4d2c34e8c.json
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Speculation and Context
UFO encounters often display patterns worth examining. The Owens family incident shows hallmarks seen in numerous similar cases - a mysterious object following a vehicle on isolated roads and seemingly reacting to human decisions. The object's behavior suggests intelligence, particularly how it moved toward the house when the family discussed going there.
Many witnesses report a feeling that gathering with others provides safety from these phenomena. Edna Owens made the decision to leave her home specifically to be "around other people," believing this would provide protection. This instinctive response appears in multiple documented encounters.
The object's retreat when approaching populated areas is noteworthy. It followed the family's car persistently until they neared a Country Store, then maintained distance before vanishing. This behavior pattern appears in many UFO pursuit cases, where objects withdraw when witnesses approach public spaces or other people.
The electromagnetic effects reported by Regina - receiving a shock when touching the car - align with documented cases involving electrical interference. Such physical interactions suggest these phenomena may interact with our environment in measurable ways.
Donna's extreme psychological trauma necessitating hospitalization demonstrates the profound impact these encounters can have. The blue lights and round shape she described match common UFO descriptions from this era.
The family's experience transformed Edna from skeptic to believer - a common transformation for witnesses who experience such close encounters. Her statement "I never really believed in UFOs or took them seriously not until this happened to us" reflects how direct experience often overrides previous disbelief.
