The Missouri Monster (MOMO) Sightings

In the summer of 1972, the small town of Louisiana, Missouri became the center of a cryptid flap when residents reported repeated encounters with a large, hairy, foul-smelling creature. The Missouri Monster—or MOMO—generated nationwide attention and remains Missouri’s most famous cryptid case.

The First Sighting

On July 11, 1972, siblings Terry and Wally Harrison (ages 8 and 5) and their older sister Doris were playing near their home on Marzolf Hill when they observed a large, dark figure standing among the trees.

The creature was described as approximately seven feet tall, covered in dark hair, with no visible neck. Most disturbingly, the children reported it was holding a dead dog under its arm. The creature made a low, growling sound before retreating into the woods.

The Investigation Begins

The Harrison children’s father, Edgar Harrison, investigated their claims. He found matted vegetation and an overpowering, nauseating odor in the area his children indicated. Over the following days, the family experienced additional sightings and heard strange howling at night.

The MOMO Flap

Over the next several weeks, over 20 witnesses reported encounters with the creature:

Physical Description:

• Seven feet tall or taller
• Covered in long, dark hair
• No visible neck
• Powerful build
• Face partially visible through hair
• Glowing eyes reported by some witnesses

Associated Phenomena:

• Overwhelming, nauseating odor (like dead animals)
• Unusual howling or screaming sounds
• Large, unusual footprints
• Dead or mutilated animals found

Marzolf Hill Activity

The Harrison family home on Marzolf Hill became a focal point of activity. The creature was reportedly seen multiple times near their property, and the family heard scratching on their walls and windows at night.

Other residents of the hill reported similar experiences—sightings, sounds, and the distinctive odor.

Media Frenzy

News of the creature spread quickly, attracting journalists, researchers, and curiosity seekers. Teams organized night watches on Marzolf Hill, hoping to spot or capture the creature.

A reward was offered for proof of MOMO’s existence. Various expeditions searched the surrounding woods without success.

Investigation

Cryptid researchers investigated the case, finding:

• Consistent witness descriptions
• Physical evidence (tracks, matted vegetation)
• The distinctive odor reported by multiple witnesses
• Sincere, frightened witnesses with nothing to gain

No conventional explanation accounted for the reports—the area had no escaped zoo animals or other known sources of a large, hairy creature.

The Decline

By late summer 1972, MOMO sightings diminished. Whether the creature moved on, returned to more remote areas, or simply stopped being seen, the intense flap ended relatively quickly.

Occasional reports have occurred in the years since, but nothing matching the 1972 wave.

Theories

Bigfoot-Type Creature: MOMO fits the general profile of Bigfoot/Sasquatch reports, suggesting a possible population of unknown primates.

Escaped Animal: Some suggested an escaped ape or bear, though no such animal was reported missing and the description doesn’t match known species.

Hoax: Skeptics suggested pranksters, but the consistency of reports and the witnesses’ evident fear argue against this.

Misidentification: Large animals can appear strange in low light, but the detailed descriptions and multiple sightings make simple misidentification unlikely.

Legacy

MOMO remains Missouri’s most famous monster. The town of Louisiana has embraced the legend:

• Local businesses reference the creature
• The case features in cryptid literature
• Occasional expeditions still search the area

The 1972 flap demonstrated how cryptid sightings can concentrate in specific areas for brief periods, generating intense activity before mysteriously ending—a pattern seen in Bigfoot, Mothman, and other cryptid waves.