Is the Mothman real? Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries' delves into chilling red-eyed mystery
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: A new season of Netflix's 'Unsolved Mysteries' is gearing up to explore the enigmatic legend of the Chicago Mothman, diving deep into the eerie world of cryptids and the chilling encounters reported by witnesses.
Reportedly seen in both Chicago and Point Pleasant, West Virginia, this terrifying being is often depicted as a humanoid creature with wings and glowing red eyes. Its connection to bridge collapses that resulted in fatalities has sparked fear and speculation. The mysterious creature was even the inspiration for a 2002 film featuring actors Richard Gere and Laura Linney. But the question remains: what is the true identity of this monstrous entity?
Daily Mail recently interviewed both an academic and a self-proclaimed 'cryptozoologist' - a proponent of the controversial and fringe field dedicated to the study and search for mythical creatures - to uncover the reality surrounding the mysterious Chicago Mothman.
This elusive creature takes center stage in episode five of the upcoming Netflix series, set to premiere on July 31, 2024. In the summary provided by Netflix, it is mentioned that there have been numerous spooky encounters with a towering, winged being sporting glowing red eyes, leading a team of paranormal experts to delve into the potential connection between this mysterious entity known as the Mothman and various catastrophic events.
Richard Freeman serves as the zoological director at the Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ), a quirky group dedicated to investigating cryptids and unexplained creatures through the generosity of their supporters, funding extensive studies on enigmatic animals across the globe.
In an interview with Daily Mail, Mr Freeman described Mothman as a 'paranormal manifestation', explaining that it is not a physical creature but rather a manifestation of the paranormal.
Dr Jason Gilchrist, an ecologist and lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, firmly believes in prioritizing rational explanations over irrational ones when it comes to debunking myths such as this. In his expert opinion, it is crucial to approach these legends with a critical eye and rely on scientific evidence rather than succumbing to unfounded beliefs.
'Sightings and reports may well fall into the "expectant attention" bracket – the psychological effect where people see what they want or expect to see where something is difficult to see with resolution," he told the media outlet.
The academic suggests that individuals who believe they have encountered the Mothman may have actually mistaken a genuine animal for the mythical creature. The most probable conclusion could be that the culprit responsible for the mysterious sightings is a sandhill crane, a sizable bird commonly sighted across the continent and easily recognizable by its distinctive red eye markings.
"Alternative explanations include hallucination or consciously constructed story for attention. Deliberate fabrications and hoaxes are also possible," Dr Gilchrist added.
'Unsolved Mysteries': All about Mothman's eerie sightings
The origins of the Mothman legend can be traced back to almost six decades ago in Point Pleasant, a quaint town nestled in the hills of West Virginia near the Ohio border. In November 1966, a peculiar encounter took place in the city involving two couples, Roger and Linda Scarberry, as well as Steve and Mary Mallette.
It was around midnight when they came face to face with a mysterious creature being described as 'man-sized' but with the appearance of a bird. Despite their insistence that they had not been drinking, the couples were left in shock and disbelief at the strange sight before them.
According to reports given to the Point Pleasant Register, witnesses described the figure as being "approximately six to seven feet tall," boasting a wingspan of around 10 feet. Its distinguishing feature was said to be its large, glowing red eyes measuring about two inches in diameter.
The entity, often compared to a man with wings, was seen soaring through the air at speeds of approximately 100 miles per hour. It even managed to keep pace with the witnesses as they drove along Route 62.
After the first news article was published, numerous individuals in the Point Pleasant vicinity came forward claiming to have also witnessed the mysterious creature, with even two firefighters recounting seeing a "giant bird with glowing red eyes".
As word spread, the community began to speculate that this creature was somehow connected to the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in December 1967, which resulted in the deaths of 46 individuals.
The eerie sightings and tragic events fueled fear and speculation among the locals, creating a sense of unease and mystery in the small town. In recent times, there have been numerous alleged sightings of the creature in Chicago, with a total of 55 reported incidents in the city just in the year 2017.
Point Pleasant organizes Mothman Festival every year
To this day, over five decades later, Point Pleasant continues to host an annual Mothman festival that includes guided tours, film screenings, and live music performances. This event has become a significant draw for tourists, contributing to the city's thriving tourism industry.
"With all the attention and visitors and the Mothman festival, there are now economic reasons for the myth to be perpetuated, as with the Loch Ness Monster," Dr Gilchrist said.
The researcher explained that the enigma surrounding cryptids like Nessie, Bigfoot, Mothman, and the Abominable Snowman is sustained by a cycle of belief and fascination that feeds into their continued mystery and intrigue.
"People want to see or find something rare or special – it's a part of human nature," he told the publication.
'Unsolved Mysteries' Volume 4 is set to premiere on July 31 only on Netflix.