The Chicago Mothman Wave

Beginning in spring 2017, Chicago experienced a wave of sightings of a large, winged humanoid creature. Over 55 reports came in over several months, concentrated around Lake Michigan, creating the largest Mothman-type flap since Point Pleasant.

First Sightings

April 2017:

• Reports began
• Multiple locations
• Different witnesses
• Similar descriptions
• Wave starting

The Creature

Witnesses described:

• 7-8 feet tall
• Large wings
• Humanoid shape
• Red or glowing eyes
• Dark colored

Flight Characteristics

The being:

• Flew without flapping
• Gliding motion
• Sometimes hovering
• Very fast
• Silent

Geographic Pattern

Sightings clustered:

• Near Lake Michigan
• O’Hare Airport area
• Downtown Chicago
• Suburban locations
• Water connection

O’Hare Reports

Multiple sightings:

• Near the airport
• By airport workers
• Professional witnesses
• Similar accounts
• Concerning pattern

Typical Encounter

Witnesses reported:

• Saw creature flying
• Often at night
• Lasted seconds to minutes
• Creature departed quickly
• Left witnesses shaken

Investigation

Lon Strickler:

• Paranormal researcher
• Documented sightings
• Interviewed witnesses
• Created database
• Published findings

Witness Credibility

Those who reported:

• Security guards
• Pilots
• Police officers
• Ordinary citizens
• Various backgrounds

Point Pleasant Connection

Comparisons made:

• Similar description
• To 1966-67 Mothman
• Same type creature
• Different location
• Pattern repeated

Ominous Associations

Some worried:

• Point Pleasant preceded disaster
• Silver Bridge collapse
• Was this warning?
• Speculation grew
• Unease spread

Media Coverage

Story picked up:

• Local news
• National media
• Paranormal outlets
• Social media
• Widespread interest

Skeptical Views

Some suggested:

• Large owls
• Hoax videos
• Misidentification
• Mass hysteria
• Not convincing to witnesses

Duration

The wave:

• April through September 2017
• Peak in summer
• Gradual decline
• Some later reports
• Extended event

Physical Evidence

None recovered:

• Only eyewitness accounts
• Some video (disputed)
• No specimens
• No clear photos
• Testimony only

Witness Reactions

After sightings:

• Fear common
• Sense of dread
• Feeling watched
• Sleep disturbances
• Lasting impact

Significance

Chicago Mothman significant for:

• Modern urban sighting wave
• Number of witnesses
• Professional observers
• Duration of event
• Pattern analysis

Legacy

The 2017 Chicago Mothman wave represents the largest modern flap of winged humanoid sightings. Whether the same type of creature from Point Pleasant or something else, dozens of Chicagoans saw something extraordinary.