The Pascagoula Hickson-Parker Abduction

On October 11, 1973, Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker were fishing on the Pascagoula River when they encountered something that would traumatize them for life. Their abduction by strange robotic beings became one of the most convincing cases, thanks to a sheriff’s secret recording.

The Witnesses

Two men:

• Charles Hickson, 42
• Calvin Parker, 19
• Shipyard workers
• Coworkers, not relatives
• Fishing after work

The Location

Pascagoula River:

• Mississippi
• Old shipyard pier
• Evening fishing
• Isolated spot
• October night

The Sighting

Around 9 PM:

• Blue flashing lights
• Approaching from sky
• Zipping sound
• Object descended
• Near their location

The Craft

They described:

• Oval shaped
• About 30 feet
• Blue lights
• Hovering
• No landing gear

The Beings Emerge

An opening appeared:

• Three beings floated out
• Toward the men
• Not walking
• Floating
• Approaching fast

The Creatures

Unlike typical grays:

• Pale gray wrinkled skin
• No visible neck
• Claw-like hands
• Robotic movement
• Cone-like protrusions

The Paralysis

Both men:

• Frozen in place
• Unable to move
• Fully conscious
• Terrified
• Helpless

Taken Aboard

The beings:

• Floated them to craft
• Into the object
• Hickson examined
• Parker may have been unconscious
• Separated

Inside

Hickson recalled:

• Bright interior
• Floating eye examined him
• Scanned his body
• Then released
• Returned to pier

Calvin’s Reaction

Parker:

• More traumatized
• Possibly unconscious during
• Or blocked memory
• Severe impact
• Years of struggle

Going to Police

They decided:

• Had to report
• Went to sheriff
• Jackson County
• Fred Diamond
• Told their story

Sheriff Diamond

He was:

• Initially skeptical
• But men clearly terrified
• Decided to test
• Set a trap
• Left them alone

The Secret Recording

Sheriff’s trick:

• Left room
• Hidden tape recorder
• Running
• Expected confession
• Got terror

On the Tape

The recording captured:

• Hickson praying
• Parker hysterical
• No hoax discussion
• Genuine distress
• Powerful evidence

Parker’s Breakdown

On tape:

• “I can’t take much more”
• Needed hospitalization
• Severe trauma
• Not acting
• Real terror

Police Belief

After recording:

• Sheriff believed them
• Genuine event
• Called Air Force
• Investigation began
• Case taken seriously

The Investigation

Multiple authorities:

• Local police
• Air Force from Keesler
• Interviewed men
• No explanation
• Case unexplained

Polygraph Tests

Both men:

• Passed examinations
• Believed truthful
• Professional tests
• Supporting evidence
• Not lying

Dr. J. Allen Hynek

UFO researcher:

• Reviewed case
• Interviewed witnesses
• Found compelling
• Credible case
• Classic encounter

Hickson’s Later Years

Charles:

• Spoke publicly
• Maintained account
• Wrote book
• Never changed story
• Died 2011

Parker’s Recovery

Calvin:

• Avoided spotlight
• Deep trauma
• Eventually spoke
• Published own book
• Confirmed everything

Significance

Pascagoula significant for:

• Secret recording evidence
• Police investigation
• Polygraph results
• Two witnesses
• Genuine terror proven

Legacy

The Pascagoula abduction remains one of the most convincing cases due to the sheriff’s secret recording. Two terrified men, unaware they were taped, showed no sign of conspiracy - only genuine trauma from something they couldn’t explain.