15 Most Credible Alien Abductions in the US

For decades, people across the U.S. have come forward with stories of being abducted by aliens. These reports are often backed up by police records, medical evaluations, and detailed accounts from those who claim to have experienced these events, keeping researchers interested. The following cases showcase the key details investigators usually focus on – things like recordings made at the time, physical evidence, or multiple people who witnessed similar events. Whether you already know about these incidents or are hearing them for the first time, you’ll find the essential facts that explain why they continue to be discussed. Here’s a straightforward look at what was reported and what evidence exists for each case.

Betty and Barney Hill (New Hampshire, 1961)

In 1961, Betty and Barney Hill of New Hampshire reported a strange encounter while driving on a country road, including a period of time they couldn’t remember. They contacted the Air Force’s Project Blue Book to report the incident. Later medical evaluations and hypnosis revealed detailed stories about being examined. Investigators found unusual marks on the car and Betty’s dress. Records from police, notes taken at the time, and official letters all contributed to making their case one of the first of its kind in modern reports of alleged alien abductions.

Pascagoula Abduction: Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker (Mississippi, 1973)

Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker, two shipyard workers, claimed they were abducted by something while fishing in the Pascagoula River. A recording device at the police station secretly captured their conversation about the incident, suggesting they were truly upset. Shortly after, doctors examined them, and both men gave similar accounts of being encountered by beings that seemed robotic. Several people in the area also reported seeing strange lights the same night, adding to the mystery.

Travis Walton (Arizona, 1975)

Logger Travis Walton vanished for five days after his colleagues reported a bright, unidentified object struck him with a beam of light near Snowflake, Arizona. Initially, police investigated his disappearance as a potential crime, thoroughly questioning the entire logging team. However, the crew consistently told the same story, even under intense questioning. Walton himself later described being examined inside the object. The case generated a lot of documentation – including polygraph tests, media coverage, and legal records – that researchers still study today.

Allagash Wilderness Incident (Maine, 1976)

I’ve been following the Allagash abduction case for years, and it’s truly compelling. Back in 1976, four college art students – Jim and Jack Weiner, Charlie Foltz, and Chuck Rak – were camping in northern Maine when they saw a really bright object above them while canoeing. They lost track of time, and later, each of them, separately, had hypnosis sessions where they remembered being examined by someone in a very bright, sterile-looking room. They all drew similar pictures and agreed on the basic timeline of what happened. What’s amazing is that their stories all pointed to the same place and date in the Allagash Wilderness, which allowed researchers to actually go back and investigate the area they described.

Linda Cortile / Brooklyn Bridge Case (New York, 1989)

Linda Napolitano, a Manhattan resident also known as Linda Cortile, claimed she was lifted into a strange craft from her apartment, reportedly near the Brooklyn Bridge. Both she and investigators pointed to letters from two people who said they saw a woman and a bright light near the East River. The case file contains a lot of detailed information gathered over several years, including building layouts, drawings, and dated letters. Although the event was never officially confirmed, the amount of documentation is remarkably thorough for a case in a city.

The Andreasson Affair: Betty Andreasson (Massachusetts, 1967)

Betty Andreasson from South Ashburnham claimed that beings entered her home and took her aboard a craft, something she later described while under hypnosis. Investigators gathered details about the event, including drawings of her house, a sequence of events, and statements from her family who were there. The case file also notes strange lights and reports that time seemed to stop inside the house. The information was shared among UFO enthusiasts, allowing them to examine and discuss what happened.

Stanford, Kentucky Abductions (Kentucky, 1976)

On a January night, Louise Smith, Mona Stafford, and Elaine Thomas were driving between Lexington and Stanford when they reported seeing a disc-shaped object fly close to their car. After the encounter, the women experienced skin irritation and eye discomfort, and these symptoms were documented by doctors. Police investigated, charting the women’s route using mileage and time stamps. Other people in the area also reported seeing strange lights that night, suggesting a broader pattern of unusual activity.

Buff Ledge Camp Incident (Vermont, 1968)

Two teenage counselors working at a summer camp on Lake Champlain – often named as Michael Lapp and Janet Cornell – reported seeing strange lights moving over the water. They later couldn’t account for a period of lost time. Through hypnosis, they remembered being taken onto a vehicle and examined. Investigators carefully studied the camp, the best places to view the lake, and how the sightings matched up with the camp’s daily schedule. This case is well-known because the sightings happened in one place, unfolded in stages, and the witnesses created detailed drawings of what they saw.

Debbie Jordan-Kauble / Copley Woods (Indiana, 1983)

Debbie Jordan-Kauble of Indianapolis has repeatedly reported strange occurrences near Copley Woods, including a bright light shining into her house. She documented these events with photos and medical records, noting unusual markings on the ground and on her body. Investigators collected interviews over time, tracking dates, locations, and weather conditions to build a timeline. This case became important for researchers studying people who repeatedly experience similar unexplained events, as it was supported by physical evidence and photographs.

Reed Family Encounters (Massachusetts, 1966–1969)

The Reed family experienced several strange occurrences in and around Berkshire County, including periods of lost time and what they described as being taken to an unusual place. News reports and local accounts documented their experiences, connecting them to specific roads and landmarks. Later, local authorities officially recognized the family’s story as a significant event in the area’s history. Researchers can now use maps, interviews, and timelines created by the family to trace the routes and timeframes of these reported incidents.

Herbert Schirmer (Nebraska, 1967)

In Ashland, police officer Herbert Schirmer reported seeing a metallic object while on patrol one night. He experienced a 20-minute period he couldn’t account for. Schirmer officially documented the incident, and researchers at the University of Colorado later studied his experience, including psychological evaluations. He created drawings of the object and a symbol he claimed to have seen. This case is well-known because it’s supported by an official police report and records from academic research.

Carl Higdon (Wyoming, 1974)

While elk hunting in the Medicine Bow National Forest, Carl Higdon experienced something unusual. He reported difficulty moving and being taken to some kind of vehicle, where he says he underwent medical-like procedures. He later found himself back in the hunting area, feeling confused. Investigators examined the site, collected evidence, and interviewed witnesses about a strange incident involving a bullet. They also reviewed Carl Higdon’s medical history and employment records to understand his condition before and after the event.

Charles L. Moody (New Mexico, 1975)

Air Force Sergeant Charles L. Moody said a bright object came near his car close to Alamogordo, and afterward, he felt paralyzed and couldn’t remember what happened for a period of time. He later described being on a vehicle and having a medical checkup, and these details were documented in interviews and his own notes. Researchers gathered his health issues, like skin problems and trouble sleeping, that occurred after the event. They also verified the timing of his experience with his work schedule and information about what was happening in the sky at the time.

Jesse Long (Georgia, 1957 onward)

Jesse Long, a resident of Georgia, has reported experiencing abductions throughout his life, starting in childhood. He claims these events left him with unexplained marks and possible implants, suggesting some kind of procedure took place. Investigators have gathered X-rays, photos, and medical records as potential evidence to support his claims. Over the years, Long has provided a detailed account of these experiences, spanning many locations and decades, resulting in a substantial collection of interviews and related documentation.

Whitley Strieber (New York, 1985)

Whitley Strieber, the author, experienced a disturbing nighttime break-in at his cabin in rural New York in December, followed by other strange occurrences he believed involved beings not of this world. He sought medical and psychological assessments, and the resulting records have been used in analyzing his experiences. Strieber meticulously documented everything – keeping journals, drawing maps of his cabin, and logging the times of unusual events. His writings and public statements provide a detailed account that researchers are still studying today.

Share which case you find the most compelling—and why—in the comments!

2025-10-23 18:17