The Night at the Old Fisher Farm
Freddie May was just 12 years old when a fireball streaked across the sky above Flatwoods Elementary School in 1952. Freddie, along with his brother Eddie and a group of friends, followed the light toward their home, eventually gathering Freddie’s mother, Kathleen, and a National Guardsman named Gene Lemon to investigate a nearby hill. What they found was a towering, 10 foot creature that emitted a hissing sound and a pungent, oily odor. While skeptics often suggest the witnesses simply saw a barn owl, the family maintains that hunters like Freddie and Eddie knew the difference between a common bird and an extraterrestrial being.
“There is no way that you could misinterpret a 10 foot creature that is hovering for a barn owl and you still got plenty of daylight left.”
A Legacy of Truth and Tradition
Freddie May remained steadfast in his account until his passing in 2023. Described by his son Chris as a quiet, humble, and incredibly honest man, Freddie did not always talk about the sighting because of the ridicule he faced as a child. Today, the family honors his memory through a man cave packed with Flatwoods Monster memorabilia, including limited edition sodas and even a dedicated Braxie beer. They are passionate about keeping the legend alive because it is a unique part of West Virginia history that even the Air Force took seriously enough to include in Project Blue Book.
“You lose your loved ones but you don’t want to lose the legacy or the memories associated with them, and it was an important part of West Virginia history and we want to maintain that.”
Braxie in the Modern World
The Flatwoods Monster, affectionately nicknamed Braxie, has become a global phenomenon, even appearing in Japanese anime as a sumo wrestler. For the May family, the connection is deeply personal, as they even named their family dog Braxie in honor of Freddie and his wife. From the annual Flatwoods Monster Convention to the local museum run by their friend Andrew Smith, the community continues to celebrate this strange piece of folklore. Young Ryland May carries on the tradition today, sharing the incredible story of his “Pepa” with teachers and classmates who are always amazed by the family’s direct link to the stars.
“I brought it up to my reading teacher, I was like, ‘Hey have you ever heard of the Flatwoods Monster?’ And she was like, ‘Yes I actually have.'”
Want to hear the full story straight from the family who lived it?
Curious to hear the May family tell these stories in their own words? You can find the full interview in the original video to see why they believe we are definitely not alone and why Braxie is 1000% real.
