Varginha UFO Incident

The Varginha incident is Brazil’s most famous UFO case, involving alleged craft crashes, creature sightings, military retrieval operations, and mysterious deaths. What began with reports of a crashed UFO escalated into multiple creature sightings and claims of a military cover-up. Known as “Brazil’s Roswell,” the case made Varginha internationally famous and continues to generate investigation and debate.

January 1996

The events unfolded over several days:

Location: Varginha, a city of approximately 130,000 in Minas Gerais state, southern Brazil.

Start: The incidents began around January 13, 1996.

Duration: Reports continued throughout January.

Scale: Multiple witnesses across different locations reported encounters.

The Crash Reports

The incident allegedly began with a UFO crash:

Initial Reports: Local fire department and residents reported unusual activity.

Military Response: Brazilian military vehicles were seen in the area.

Multiple Sites: Some researchers claim more than one crash site.

Wreckage: Witnesses reported seeing debris and military recovery operations.

The Creature Sighting - January 20, 1996

The most famous part of the case:

The Witnesses: Three young women - Liliane and Valquíria Silva, and Kátia Xavier.

Location: A vacant lot in the Jardim Andere neighborhood.

Time: Early afternoon.

Discovery: The women stumbled upon a strange creature.

What They Saw

The women described a disturbing sight:

Size: About 5 feet tall, crouching or kneeling.

Skin: Dark brown or reddish, oily or greasy appearance.

Head: Large head with prominent veins visible.

Eyes: Large, red or brown eyes.

Body: Thin, humanoid body in a squatting position.

Smell: A strong, unpleasant odor like ammonia.

Condition: The creature appeared to be injured or weak.

The Women’s Reaction

They fled in terror:

Fear: All three were extremely frightened.

Flight: They ran from the scene immediately.

Family: They reported the encounter to their mother.

Consistency: Their account remained consistent over time.

Other Creature Sightings

Multiple witnesses reported similar encounters:

Hospital Sighting: Staff at the Regional Hospital reportedly saw a creature.

Military Capture: Witnesses claimed to see military personnel capturing creatures.

Multiple Locations: Reports came from various parts of the city.

Consistency: The creature descriptions across witnesses were similar.

Military Activity

Unusual military presence was documented:

Trucks: Military trucks were seen in areas associated with sightings.

Soldiers: Armed soldiers were observed in civilian areas.

Secrecy: The military activity seemed covert.

Locations: Activity centered around the alleged crash and capture sites.

Denials: The military denied unusual operations.

The Policeman’s Death

A young officer’s death added mystery:

Marco Eli Chereze: A military police officer who allegedly handled one of the creatures.

Illness: He became seriously ill within weeks of the incident.

Death: He died on February 15, 1996.

Official Cause: Officially listed as infection.

Speculation: His death has been linked by some to the creature contact.

Hospital Reports

The Regional Hospital was allegedly involved:

Creature Treatment: Some claim a creature was brought to the hospital.

Staff Witnesses: Medical personnel reportedly saw the being.

Autopsy: An autopsy may have been performed.

Secrecy: Hospital staff were allegedly ordered to silence.

Confirmation: Some staff have spoken about unusual events.

The Investigators

Several researchers investigated the case:

Vitório Pacaccini: A Brazilian researcher who collected extensive testimony.

Ubirajara Rodrigues: Another prominent Brazilian researcher.

American Investigators: The case attracted international research attention.

Documentation: Extensive interview and evidence collection was conducted.

Physical Evidence

Various physical traces were reported:

Ground Marks: Alleged marks at crash and creature sites.

Military Equipment: Photographs of military vehicles in the area.

Medical Records: Claims of hospital documentation.

Limited Access: Much alleged evidence has not been verified.

Military Response

The Brazilian military has addressed the case:

Initial Denial: All unusual activity was initially denied.

Later Acknowledgment: Some military presence was later acknowledged.

Exercise Explanation: Officials claimed normal training exercises.

Contradiction: The explanations have been inconsistent.

Witness Credibility

The witnesses have been evaluated:

The Three Women: They have maintained their account for decades.

No Profit Motive: They have not significantly profited from the story.

Psychological Assessment: They have been found mentally sound.

Consistency: Key details have not changed over time.

Skeptical Analysis

Critics have raised questions:

The Creature: Could it have been a homeless or mentally ill person?

Mass Hysteria: Did reports influence each other?

Military: Was the military activity coincidental?

Verification: Much evidence relies on witness testimony alone.

The “Mudinho” Theory

One skeptical explanation:

The Person: A local mentally ill man nicknamed “Mudinho” was known in the area.

Appearance: He sometimes went unclothed and had skin conditions.

Timing: He was in the area during the sightings.

Problems: Witnesses reject this explanation, noting significant differences.

Cultural Impact

Varginha embraced its fame:

Tourism: UFO tourism became important to the local economy.

Monuments: Alien statues were erected in the city.

Museum: A UFO museum was established.

Identity: The incident became part of local identity.

Ongoing Investigation

The case continues to be studied:

New Witnesses: Additional witnesses have come forward over time.

Documentary: Multiple documentaries have examined the case.

Book: James Fox’s “Moment of Contact” renewed attention.

Military Files: Researchers continue to seek classified documents.

Legacy

The Varginha incident matters because:

• Multiple independent witnesses reported similar creatures
• Military activity was documented
• A young officer died shortly after alleged contact
• Hospital staff have spoken about unusual events
• It remains Brazil’s most investigated UFO case

Whatever happened in Varginha in January 1996 left a city changed forever. Three young women’s terrifying encounter, military operations in the streets, and unanswered questions have made Varginha a permanent fixture in UFO history.

Sources

• Witness testimonies
• Brazilian researcher investigations
• Military records (partial)
• “Moment of Contact” documentary
• Varginha UFO incident - Wikipedia