Mothman Sightings: The Creepiest Encounters (1957–2024)

From its origins in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, to modern sightings in urban Chicago and beyond, this enigmatic creature has sparked fear, fascination, and debate.

Known for its towering stature, bat-like wings, and eerie presence, the Mothman is often linked to omens of disaster, though its true nature remains elusive.

This article compiles a detailed, chronological account of all known Mothman sightings from 1957 to 2024, including well-documented encounters.

Overview (1957-2024 Sightings)

Pre-1966 Mothman Sightings

Before the Mothman became synonymous with Point Pleasant, a few early reports described similar winged entities, suggesting the phenomenon may have deeper roots.

Early Winter, 1957: Braidwood, Illinois

In the quiet town of Braidwood, Illinois, hunter Gerald Turrise experienced a chilling encounter during a winter evening in 1957.

While tracking game in a forested area near dusk, he noticed a shadow moving swiftly above the treetops. Peering upward, he saw a winged creature with the body of a large man, approximately 6–7 feet tall, soaring silently.

Its wings, spanning about 10 feet, lacked visible feathers, and its form appeared humanoid yet unnatural. Turrise, startled, watched as the creature glided low, its silhouette stark against the fading light.

The absence of glowing eyes distinguished this sighting from later reports, but its humanoid shape and silent flight align with the Mothman’s characteristics.

Turrise reported the incident to local authorities, who dismissed it as a possible bird sighting, leaving him shaken but resolute in his account.

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The Point Pleasant Wave (1966–1967)

The Mothman sightings in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, from November 1966 to December 1967, form the heart of the legend, with over 100 reported encounters.

This period, marked by intense media coverage and paranormal speculation, solidified the creature’s status as a cultural phenomenon.

November 12, 1966: Clendenin Cemetery Sighting

On November 12, 1966, in a small cemetery near Clendenin, West Virginia, 60 miles from Point Pleasant, five gravediggers—Kenneth Duncan, Robert Love, William Poole, Andrew Godby, and Emil Conley—witnessed a startling event.

Around 5:30 p.m., as they prepared a burial site, a brown humanoid figure with wings lifted off from a nearby oak tree. The creature, described as 6–7 feet tall with a 10-foot wingspan, flew low over their heads, moving silently with a gliding motion.

Unlike later sightings, no glowing eyes were noted, but the men described its form as distinctly human-like yet bird-like, with a muscular torso and long legs.

Frozen in shock, they watched it disappear over the treetops toward the Kanawha River. Duncan, the group’s spokesperson, reported the sighting to the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, sparking local rumors of a Point Pleasant cryptid.

The men, all experienced outdoorsmen, insisted it was no ordinary bird, setting the stage for the Mothman legend.

November 14, 1966: Salem, West Virginia

Newell Partridge, a contractor in Salem, West Virginia, 90 miles from Point Pleasant, encountered a bizarre phenomenon on November 14, 1966, at 10:30 p.m.

While watching television in his rural home, he noticed static interference and heard his German shepherd, Bandit, barking frantically outside. Stepping onto his porch, Partridge saw two glowing red lights in a nearby hayfield, resembling “bicycle reflectors.”

Bandit bolted toward the lights, chasing them into the darkness. Partridge followed with a flashlight but found only paw prints circling chaotically before vanishing.

Bandit never returned, and Partridge later linked the incident to the Mothman sightings, believing the creature may have taken his dog. The television static and glowing lights, often associated with paranormal activity, added an eerie layer to this encounter, which locals discussed as evidence of a red-eyed creature prowling the region.

November 15, 1966: TNT Area Encounter

The most iconic Mothman sighting occurred on November 15, 1966, in the TNT area, a 3,600-acre former munitions site near Point Pleasant. Around 11:30 p.m., two young couples—Roger Scarberry (19), Linda Scarberry (18), Steve Mallette (21), and Mary Mallette (20)—were cruising in Roger’s 1957 Chevy near the abandoned power plant.

As they passed a rusted generator, they spotted a 7-foot-tall winged humanoid with glowing red eyes, approximately 2 inches in diameter and 6 inches apart.

Linda described it as a “slender, muscular man” with a 10-foot wingspan and white, featherless wings. The creature’s eyes, hypnotic and intense, seemed to paralyze them momentarily.

Panicked, Roger accelerated to 100 mph, but the red-eyed creature pursued, keeping pace effortlessly with a screeching sound like a “high-pitched phonograph record.” It followed them to the Point Pleasant city limits, swooping low over the car.

The group reported the incident to Deputy Millard Halstead, who found no physical evidence but noted their genuine distress.

The sighting, published in the Point Pleasant Register on November 16, 1966, headlined “Couples See Man-Sized Bird … Creature … Something,” ignited national media frenzy and cemented the Mothman legend.

November 16, 1966: Marcella Bennett’s Terrifying Encounter

On November 16, 1966, Marcella Bennett, a 24-year-old mother, experienced a harrowing Mothman sighting near the TNT area. Around 9:00 p.m., she was visiting friends at a housing complex within the munitions site, carrying her infant daughter.

As she approached her car, a winged entity rose from behind a parked vehicle, standing 7 feet tall with glowing red eyes and a 12-foot wingspan.

Bennett described it as a “greyish figure” with no discernible head, its eyes embedded in its chest, emitting a piercing glow. The creature shuffled clumsily on the ground before spreading its wings and ascending vertically like a helicopter.

Overwhelmed by fear, Bennett dropped her daughter (who was unharmed) and collapsed, later reporting a sense of dread and nightmares for weeks.

Her account, shared with journalist Mary Hyre, added a visceral intensity to the Point Pleasant cryptid narrative, emphasizing the creature’s menacing presence.

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November 17, 1966: Cheshire, Ohio

A 17-year-old boy, driving along Route 7 near Cheshire, Ohio, reported a Mothman sighting at 10:00 p.m. on November 17, 1966. The teenager, who requested anonymity, saw a 6-foot-tall winged humanoid with red eyes standing by the roadside near the Ohio River.

The creature took flight, following his car briefly before veering into the woods. Its silent glide and glowing eyes left the boy shaken, and he reported the incident to Gallia County police.

This sighting, one of the first across state lines, suggested the red-eyed creature roamed beyond Point Pleasant, fueling speculation about its range.

November 25, 1966: Thomas Ury’s Daytime Encounter

Thomas Ury, a 35-year-old salesman, had a striking Mothman sighting on November 25, 1966, at 7:15 a.m. while driving along Route 62 near the TNT area.

In broad daylight, he saw a 7-foot-tall grey creature with red eyes rise from a field near the Ohio River. Its 10-foot wingspan unfurled, and it circled his car three times, moving silently at an estimated 70 mph.

Ury, a skeptical and pragmatic man, described the creature as having no feathers and a humanoid shape, with eyes that “glowed like reflectors.” He reported the encounter to the Mason County Sheriff, emphasizing its unnatural speed and flight pattern.

This daytime sighting, reported in local newspapers, added credibility to the Point Pleasant cryptid due to its clear conditions and reliable witness.

November 26, 1966: St. Albans, West Virginia

Ruth Foster, a 42-year-old shopkeeper, reported a Mothman sighting on November 26, 1966, at 8:00 p.m. in St. Albans, West Virginia, 12 miles from Point Pleasant. While walking to her car after closing her store, she saw a 7-foot-tall winged entity perched on a rooftop.

Its glowing red eyes, described as “burning like coals,” stared directly at her, and its 10-foot wings were folded against its back. Foster, terrified, ran inside and called her husband, who saw nothing upon investigating.

The creature’s stationary, predatory stance and intense gaze distinguished this encounter, which Foster shared with local police, adding to the growing Mothman legend.

November 27, 1966: Connie Carpenter’s Daytime Pursuit

Connie Carpenter, a 19-year-old from New Haven, West Virginia, had a chilling Mothman sighting on November 27, 1966, at 10:30 a.m. while driving home from church along Route 33.

Near a golf course, she saw a 7-foot-tall grey winged humanoid with a 10-foot wingspan and glowing red eyes standing by the road. As she slowed to observe, the creature took flight, following her car for nearly a mile at 60 mph.

Its wings, described as “bat-like” but featherless, moved minimally, and its eyes seemed to lock onto her, creating a hypnotic effect. Carpenter, trembling, reported the incident to police, noting persistent headaches and eye irritation afterward, which some linked to the creature’s gaze.

November 27, 1966: Sheila Cain’s Encounter

On the same day, Sheila Cain, a 16-year-old, and her younger sister, Karen, saw the Mothman near Route 60 in St. Albans at dusk. While walking home, they noticed a 6-foot-tall winged entity with red eyes hovering above a field.

The creature, described as having a humanoid torso and large, dark wings, emitted a low humming sound before ascending vertically. The sisters ran home, reporting the sighting to their parents, who contacted local authorities.

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November 1966: TNT Area Group Sighting

In late November 1966, Bob Bosworth and Alan Coates, two 18-year-old friends, reported a Mothman sighting in the TNT area.

While exploring the abandoned munitions bunkers at night, they saw a 7-foot-tall winged humanoid with glowing red eyes perched on a concrete igloo.

The creature, with a muscular build and 12-foot wingspan, took flight, circling above them with a screeching noise. Terrified, they fled to their car, claiming the creature followed briefly.

Their account, shared with friends, added to the local panic, as the TNT area became a hotspot for Point Pleasant cryptid sightings.

November 1966: Faye Dewitt-Leport’s Family Encounter

Faye Dewitt-Leport, a 22-year-old mother, and her siblings reported a Mothman sighting in the TNT area in late November 1966.

Around 7:00 p.m., while driving through the munitions site, they saw a 7-foot-tall red-eyed creature standing near an abandoned power plant. Its glowing eyes and 10-foot wings were visible in their headlights, and it took off, gliding silently over their car.

The group, including Faye’s young brother, described a sense of dread and reported the incident to police, who noted similar accounts from the area.

December 4, 1966: Ohio River Pilots’ Sighting

On December 4, 1966, five pilots—Everett Wedge, James Thompson, Carl Rogers, William Davis, and Frank Harris—at the Gallipolis, Ohio, airport, across the Ohio River from Point Pleasant, observed a winged humanoid at 3:00 p.m.

The creature, described as a “bird-like man” with a 10-foot wingspan, flew at 70 mph without flapping its wings. Lacking the red eyes noted in nocturnal sightings, it appeared greyish and humanoid, soaring over the airport runway.

The pilots, all experienced aviators, reported the sighting to the Federal Aviation Administration, describing its flight as “impossible for any known bird.”

December 1967: Silver Bridge Premonitions

In early December 1967, multiple Mothman sightings were reported near the Silver Bridge, a suspension bridge connecting Point Pleasant to Gallipolis, Ohio.

Residents, including Ruth Foster and local businessman Charles Morton, saw a winged entity with red eyes perched on the bridge’s railings at night.

On December 6, Foster spotted the creature again, describing its 7-foot stature and glowing eyes as “terrifying.” Morton, on December 11, saw it flying low over the bridge, emitting a screech.

These sightings, reported to police, preceded the bridge’s collapse on December 15, 1967, at 5:04 p.m., which killed 46 people due to a structural failure. Locals speculated the red-eyed creature was a harbinger, though no causal link was proven.

Sightings abruptly ceased after the tragedy, deepening the Point Pleasant cryptid’s mystique.

Other 1966–1967 Sightings

Over 100 Mothman sightings were reported in Point Pleasant and surrounding areas during this period, many undocumented due to witnesses’ fear of ridicule.

Additional encounters include:

• November 26, 1966: Lowell, Ohio – Marvin Shock and Ewing Tilton saw a 6-foot-tall winged humanoid with red eyes near Cat Creek, flying low over their truck.
• November 1966: Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania – George Wolfe Jr. reported a red-eyed creature flying over his farm, startling livestock.
• December 1966: Mason County, West Virginia – Multiple residents reported a winged entity near the TNT area, often at dusk, with glowing eyes and silent flight.

Post-1967 Sightings (1968–2010)

After the Silver Bridge collapse, Mothman sightings in Point Pleasant declined, but reports of similar creatures emerged elsewhere, often tied to disasters or paranormal activity.

Winter 1968–1969: Arlington, Virginia

A businessman in Arlington, Virginia, reported a winged humanoid sighting during the winter of 1968–1969. While driving at night, he saw a 7-foot-tall creature with large wings and glowing eyes glide over his car.

The encounter, brief and unverified, was noted in local paranormal circles as a possible Mothman sighting, suggesting the creature’s range extended beyond West Virginia.

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August 1969: Da Nang, Vietnam

Earl Morrison, a U.S. Marine stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam, reported a winged entity sighting in August 1969.

Around 1:00 a.m., while on guard duty, he and two comrades saw a 6-foot-tall figure with glowing eyes and bat-like wings hovering above a bunker.

Described as a “winged woman,” it moved silently, circling for 10 minutes before vanishing. Morrison’s account, shared with cryptozoologists, hinted at a global Mothman phenomenon, though its context far from Point Pleasant raised questions about cultural influences.

October 27, 1969: Indiana

An anonymous witness in rural Indiana claimed abduction by a tall, winged humanoid with red eyes.

The report, lacking specific details, described a brief encounter near a cornfield, with the creature allegedly lifting the witness before releasing them. This unverified account, noted in cryptozoology archives, reflects the speculative nature of some post-1967 sightings.

1986: Chernobyl, Ukraine

Anecdotal reports claim workers at the Chernobyl nuclear plant saw a black bird-like creature with red eyes days before the April 26, 1986, meltdown.

Witnesses described a 7-foot-tall winged humanoid circling the facility at dusk, accompanied by feelings of dread and strange phone calls. These accounts, surfacing years later, lack primary documentation but contribute to the Mothman’s reputation as a harbinger of disaster.

1999: Moscow, Russia

Unverified reports from Moscow allege Mothman sightings before the 1999 apartment bombings.

Witnesses described a winged entity with glowing eyes near residential buildings, followed by cryptic phone calls. These claims, lacking firsthand accounts, fuel speculation about the red-eyed creature as an omen but remain unsubstantiated.

2009: Mexico

Anecdotal reports link Mothman sightings to the 2009 swine flu outbreak in Mexico. Witnesses allegedly saw a winged humanoid with red eyes in rural areas before the epidemic spread.

2011: Japan

Speculative reports claim Mothman sightings near Fukushima, Japan, before the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami.

Witnesses described a dark, winged figure with glowing eyes near the nuclear plant. These accounts, lacking credible documentation, align with the harbinger of doom narrative but remain anecdotal.

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Chicago and Midwest Sightings (2011–2018)

Starting in 2011, a wave of Mothman sightings emerged in the Chicago area, peaking in 2017 with over 50 reports. Dubbed the Chicago Phantom, this creature closely resembles the Point Pleasant cryptid, reigniting interest in the phenomenon.

August 22, 2011: Chicago Suburbs

An anonymous witness driving through Chicago’s suburbs at night reported a winged humanoid near a business with a Native American sculpture.

The 7-foot-tall creature, with glowing red eyes and a 10-foot wingspan, flew low over the road, its silhouette resembling a “bat-like man.”

The witness, startled, noted its silent flight and reported the sighting to local paranormal groups, marking the start of the Chicago Mothman wave.

April 7, 2017: Oz Park, Chicago

A woman walking her dog in Oz Park at 9:00 p.m. reported a Mothman sighting on April 7, 2017. She saw a 7-foot-tall black winged humanoid with glowing red eyes standing near a park bench.

The creature, described as having a muscular torso and bat-like wings, emitted a loud screech before flying upward.

The witness, overcome with dread, reported the encounter to paranormal investigator Lon Strickler, who noted its similarity to Point Pleasant cryptid descriptions.

April 15, 2017: Lincoln Park, Chicago

A couple walking in Lincoln Park near Lake Michigan at 6:30 p.m. on April 15, 2017, saw a large, black, bat-like being with a 10-foot wingspan and red eyes swoop down from trees.

The creature, approximately 7 feet tall, glided silently, passing within 20 feet before ascending. The couple, shaken, reported the sighting to Strickler, describing a “profound sense of fear” and noting the creature’s humanoid shape and hypnotic gaze.

May 21, 2017: Little Village, Chicago

A resident of Little Village reported a terrifying Mothman sighting at 11:00 p.m. on May 21, 2017.

While driving, they saw a 7-foot-tall winged humanoid land on their car’s hood, staring with glowing red eyes. The creature, with a 12-foot wingspan and greyish skin, screeched before flying off.

The witness, a 30-year-old mechanic, reported the incident to Strickler, describing physical tremors and nightmares afterward, highlighting the Chicago Phantom’s intense impact.

August 21, 2017: Northerly Island, Chicago

During a partial solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, a group of eclipse-watchers at Northerly Island reported a Mothman sighting at 1:00 p.m.

They heard a loud, squeaky screech, like “truck brakes,” and saw a 7-foot-tall black winged humanoid with red eyes fly over the crowd. The creature, moving in an undulating motion, disappeared over Lake Michigan.

The anonymous witness, quoted by illustrator Sarah Becan, reported a collective sense of unease, reinforcing the red-eyed creature’s eerie presence.

August 4, 2017: Pilsen, Chicago

A cyclist in Pilsen captured GoPro footage of a winged entity on August 4, 2017, at 2:00 p.m.

The dark, 6-foot-tall creature with a 10-foot wingspan flew over a street, initially thought to be a Mothman. Paranormal investigator Tobias Wayland analyzed the video, concluding it was likely a great blue heron due to its thin legs and wing shape.

This sighting, widely publicized, underscores the debate over misidentification in Chicago Mothman reports.

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Other Chicago Sightings (2011–2018)

Over 100 Mothman sightings were reported in the Chicago area, with 55 in 2017 alone.

Additional encounters include:

• Fall 1971: Chicago River – A 12-year-old saw a shadowy winged humanoid near the river.
• Mid-June 1976: Waukegan, Illinois – A vehicle was chased by a red-eyed winged figure.
• 1981: Cicero, Illinois – A 13-year-old reported a psychic encounter with a winged being.
• 1997: Naperville, Illinois – Witnesses saw winged gargoyles with red eyes.
• 1999: Rockford, Illinois – A couple and friend saw a red-eyed gargoyle.
• Summer 2000: Goshen Dam, Indiana – Two friends saw a weird winged entity.
• June 21, 2001: Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Three friends saw a man with wings over the Kinnickinnic River.
• September 8, 2001: Berwyn, Illinois – A woman saw four red-eyed winged humanoids.
• January 2002: Madison, Wisconsin – A woman encountered a red-eyed winged creature.
• Summer 2002: Babcock, Wisconsin – A teen saw a gargoyle with feathered wings.
• October 2002: Illinois – A woman saw a winged humanoid after a UFO sighting.
• Summer 2003: Alsip, Illinois – Two friends saw an owlman outside a window.
• 2004: Auburn, Illinois – A 12-year-old and friends saw a winged man near Panther Creek.
• August 2004: Rockford, Illinois – A woman saw a man with bat-like wings in a park.
• Summer 2005: Wheeler, Indiana – A man encountered a winged humanoid.
• July 2006: Southern Wisconsin – A family saw a man with bat-like features.
• August 2006: Bensenville, Illinois – A man and son saw a large, dark being with cape-like wings.
• Summer 2007: Prairie Creek Reservoir, Indiana – Two friends saw a flying humanoid with yellow eyes.
• Late July 2008: Northeastern Illinois – A man saw a winged creature with human proportions.
• 2019: Chicago Suburbs – Multiple reports of a winged humanoid near parks and O’Hare Airport.
• November 2019: O’Hare Airport, Chicago – A truck driver saw a birdlike entity near a cargo area.

Recent Sightings (2016–2024)

The Mothman legend persists with sporadic sightings, particularly in West Virginia and Illinois, reflecting its enduring cultural impact.

November 20, 2016: Mason County, West Virginia

A man driving along State Route 2 in Mason County, West Virginia, at 7:00 p.m. on November 20, 2016, photographed a winged creature jumping between trees.

The 7-foot-tall entity had pointed wings, long legs bent at odd angles, and glowing red eyes. The witness, a recent Point Pleasant resident unaware of the Mothman legend, pulled over to capture images, which showed a humanoid shape.

Local resident Carolin Harris, interviewed at her diner, vouched for the sighting’s authenticity, citing the region’s history of Point Pleasant cryptid encounters.

Skeptics suggested the photos depicted an owl carrying prey, but the images reignited local interest.

July 2020: Flagstaff, Arizona

A camper near Lake Mary, outside Flagstaff, Arizona, reported a Mothman sighting in July 2020 at midnight.

While sitting by a campfire, the anonymous witness saw a 6–7-foot-tall winged humanoid with glowing eyes fly silently over their trailer. The creature, with a 10-foot wingspan and dark, featherless wings, hovered briefly before vanishing into the night.

The unverified account, shared on social media, highlighted the Mothman phenomenon’s spread to new regions.

June 2022: Unknown Location

An unverified Mothman sighting was reported in June 2022, with no specific location provided. The witness described a red-eyed creature flying overhead, but sparse details and lack of corroboration make this account speculative, reflecting the challenge of verifying modern Mothman sightings.

April 2024: Kane County, Illinois

A truck driver in Kane County, Illinois, reported a harrowing Mothman sighting in April 2024 at 2:00 a.m. While driving on a rural road, he saw a 7-foot-tall winged humanoid with red eyes chase his vehicle at high speeds, matching his 60 mph pace.

The creature, with a 12-foot wingspan and greyish skin, swooped low, causing his headlights to flicker. In fear, the driver fired a handgun at the creature, which then vanished.

Reported to paranormal researchers, this encounter underscored the Chicago Phantom’s aggressive behavior and electrical interference, a recurring theme in Mothman sightings.

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Conclusion

The Mothman sightings from 1957 to 2024 weave a tapestry of mystery, fear, and fascination, spanning rural West Virginia to urban Chicago and beyond.

From the iconic 1966 TNT area encounter to the 2017 Chicago wave, these reports describe a winged humanoid with glowing red eyes, often linked to omens of disaster.

While skeptics point to misidentified birds like sandhill cranes or barred owls, the consistency of eyewitness accounts—detailing silent flight, hypnotic gazes, and electrical interference—defies easy explanation.

The Point Pleasant cryptid and Chicago Phantom continue to captivate, fueled by cultural touchstones like the Mothman Festival and media portrayals.

Whether a flesh-and-blood creature, a supernatural entity, or a product of human imagination, the Mothman phenomenon endures, inviting us to explore the shadows where the unknown lurks.