The Linda Napolitano Manhattan Abduction

On November 30, 1989, Linda Napolitano (then Cortile) was allegedly abducted from her 12th-floor Manhattan apartment through a closed window, floated in a blue beam of light alongside beings, and deposited into a hovering UFO. Multiple strangers, including UN officials, reportedly witnessed the event from the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Abductee

Linda Napolitano:

• Living in lower Manhattan
• 12th-floor apartment
• Had prior abduction experiences
• Was working with researcher Budd Hopkins
• Her case became famous

The Abduction

She recalled:

• Being paralyzed in bed
• Floated out through window
• Accompanied by small beings
• Blue beam of light
• Taken into craft

The Witnesses

Allegedly saw the event:

• Two security agents (“Dan” and “Richard”)
• A woman on the bridge
• UN Secretary General’s limousine (claimed)
• Saw woman and beings float
• Multiple independent observers

The Investigation

Budd Hopkins:

• Was already working with Linda
• Received letters from witnesses
• Security agents contacted him
• Story emerged over months
• Became centerpiece of his book

The Book

Hopkins published:

• “Witnessed” (1996)
• Detailed the case
• Presented witness accounts
• Made dramatic claims
• Controversial reception

Problems with the Case

Critics noted:

• Key witnesses never publicly identified
• UN denied official involvement
• Some evidence ambiguous
• Linda’s story evolved over time
• Extraordinary claims, limited proof

Supporting Elements

Proponents point to:

• Multiple alleged witnesses
• Detailed, consistent accounts
• Linda passed polygraphs
• Hopkins’ credibility
• Unique urban setting

The UN Connection

The claim:

• UN Secretary General watched
• From his limousine on bridge
• This was never confirmed
• UN denied knowledge
• Remains unverified

Legacy for the Field

The case:

• Became very famous
• Highly controversial
• Divided researchers
• Raised questions about methodology
• Example of problematic investigation

Significance

The Napolitano case is significant for:

• Alleged multiple witnesses
• Urban setting unprecedented
• Prominent researcher’s involvement
• Controversy it generated
• Questions about abduction research

Legacy

The Linda Napolitano case remains one of the most controversial in abduction research. Whether genuine mass-witnessed event or elaborate story, it demonstrates the difficulties in investigating such claims and the ongoing debates within the field.