The Columbia Encounter

By Crusader1307

This strange Case happened on June 28, 1973 outside of Columbia, Missouri. The Richard Family lived in a small mobile home, surrounded by woods and trees. At around 1:00 AM, - while one family member was in the kitchen, they heard a loud trashing noise. Alarmed, the Family looked out the windows and saw nothing. Suddenly, the trees and surrounding area of the mobile home "lit up as bright as day". This time looking out, they saw what appeared to be two lights (tapering as a cone, and roughly 4 feet in circumference and separated by 4 feet of space). The trailer appeared to be in "the center".

The family heard no noises this time, but remarked about the brilliant and changing colors of the twin lights. Still scared, they waited out the phenomenon. Around 1:30 AM, the lights suddenly went away. Going out to investigate, the family noticed what appeared to be a "round, glowing Object" (only for a moment) - appearing to disappear into the night sky. In addition to this, they noticed that the trees, on either side of the trailer were cracked and broken. It also appeared that all the tree leaves were burnt (as if they had been subjected to a heat source).

Local Authorities were called. They noted the damage and listened to their story. The Police passed the encounter as a prank and vandalism. However , several other people in the area ALSO reported seeing the strange "searchlights" from varying positions -at distance. One, was a friend of one-time leading UFO investigator (and former Project: Blue Book member), Allen Hyneck. Gathering more information they told the Case. He advised on photographs and interviews. Photos taken show the Upper canopy of much of the surrounding trees burnt, in a highly localized area. Many trees and heavy branches appeared to have been snapped off as if by some force (many improbable that a human could do it). Hyneck included the Case study in several of his books. It has yet to be explained with any satisfaction!