The Dover Demon

Over two nights in April 1977, four teenagers in Dover, Massachusetts independently encountered a bizarre creature unlike anything in cryptozoology. With its watermelon-shaped head, glowing orange eyes, and thin limbs, the “Dover Demon” was seen three times before vanishing forever, leaving behind one of the strangest mysteries in paranormal history.

The First Sighting

April 21, 1977:

• Around 10:30 PM
• Bill Bartlett driving
• Farm Street
• Headlights caught creature
• Shocking encounter

Bill Bartlett

17-year-old:

• Driving with friends
• Saw creature on wall
• Large glowing eyes
• Thin body
• Deeply shaken

His Description

Bartlett described:

• Watermelon-shaped head
• Orange glowing eyes
• Tan/peach skin
• Thin long limbs
• Grasping stone wall

The Drawing

Bartlett drew:

• What he saw
• That same night
• Before talking to others
• Detailed sketch
• Primary evidence

Second Sighting

Same night:

• Around midnight
• John Baxter
• Walking home
• Different location
• Same creature

John Baxter

15-year-old:

• On foot
• Miller Hill Road
• Saw figure
• Followed briefly
• Then ran

Baxter’s Account

He described:

• Small creature
• Large head
• Standing by tree
• Watching him
• Terrifying encounter

Third Sighting

April 22, 1977:

• Next night
• Abby Brabham
• Will Taintor driving
• Springdale Avenue
• Final encounter

Abby Brabham

15-year-old:

• Passenger in car
• Saw creature
• By roadside
• Same basic description
• Confirmed sightings

Consistency

All witnesses:

• Same basic creature
• Independent accounts
• Before comparing notes
• Similar descriptions
• Strong corroboration

Loren Coleman

Cryptozoologist:

• Investigated case
• Interviewed witnesses
• Named “Dover Demon”
• Published findings
• Legitimized case

The Investigation

Researchers found:

• Witnesses credible
• No history of hoaxes
• Traumatized by experience
• Consistent decades later
• No motive

Physical Characteristics

The creature had:

• 3-4 feet tall
• Huge head
• No visible nose/mouth
• Large eyes
• Thin limbs with long fingers

Theories

Proposed explanations:

• Baby moose (rejected)
• Alien entity
• Interdimensional being
• Unknown creature
• None satisfying

Never Seen Again

After April 1977:

• No more sightings
• Never returned
• Brief appearance
• Then vanished
• Mystery deepened

The Witnesses Today

As adults:

• Maintain accounts
• Never recanted
• Still affected
• Consistent stories
• Credible people

Significance

The Dover Demon is significant for:

• Multiple witnesses
• Consistent descriptions
• Brief time window
• Unique creature
• No explanation

Legacy

The Dover Demon remains one of cryptozoology’s most puzzling cases. The brief appearance, multiple witnesses, and consistent descriptions of something utterly bizarre ensure this case continues to fascinate researchers and enthusiasts.