On August 13, 1975, Charles Moody, a technician from Alamogordo, New Mexico, reported one of the most unusual and detailed alien abduction cases on record. His account gained attention not only for its vivid recollections but also for the time period in which it surfaced, the mid-1970s, during a peak in UFO sightings and abduction reports in the United States.
The Incident
Moody had driven outside the city limits to watch a meteor shower from the comfort of his car. While observing the sky, he noticed a bright, metallic disc-shaped object descend from above and hover nearby. He described the craft as having lights underneath and a solid, metallic structure.
When he attempted to drive away, his car wouldn’t start and he suddenly felt paralyzed. He recalled seeing the UFO rise into the air and disappear, after which he was able to start his car again and return at home confused and with a strange pain in his lower back. At first, Moody had no memory of what occurred during the missing time. But over the following days and weeks, fragmented images and sensations began to emerge. Through hypnosis, the full scope of the experience began to unfold.
Hypnotic Regression and Recovered Memories
Under hypnosis, Moody described being taken aboard the UFO. Inside, he encountered humanoid beings with slender builds, large heads and large black eyes. Their skin appeared grayish and they lacked noticeable ears or hair. One of them, who seemed to be in charge, communicated with him telepathically.
According to Moody, they told him they meant no harm and were conducting a medical examination. He was subjected to various tests, though he experienced no pain during the process. The encounter reportedly lasted about 90 minutes. Once released, he found himself back near his car. It started immediately and he drove home, still dazed and disturbed.
Reactions and Investigations
Moody’s account was investigated by several notable UFO researchers, including Jim and Coral Lorenzen of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO). His story was considered credible by some due to the consistency of his narrative, his calm demeanor and the lack of any motive for fabrication.
However, as with many abduction cases, skeptics pointed to the reliance on hypnotic regression and the absence of physical evidence as reasons for doubt. Nonetheless, Moody never wavered in his account and never sought fame or financial gain from his story.
Legacy and Significance
The Charles Moody case remains one of the earliest widely reported alien abduction stories in the United States. While it never achieved the media spotlight of later cases like those of Betty and Barney Hill or Whitley Strieber, it holds an important place in the history of alien abduction reports for its clarity and detailed recollections.
For many UFO researchers, the Moody case represents a classic example of an abduction narrative during the pre-pop culture era of alien encounters, adding weight to the idea that these phenomena were not purely the product of media influence.