SUN 42 (Nov 1996)

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Skeptics UFO Newsletter, dated November 1996, is published by Philip J. Klass and focuses on a critical examination of Budd Hopkins' new book, "WITNESSED: The True Story of the Brooklyn Bridge UFO Abductions." The cover headline highlights the book's sensational claim that a UFO abducted United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar and two bodyguards in 1989, along with a woman identified as Linda "Cortile."

The Linda "Cortile" Case and Hopkins' New Book

The newsletter details the core allegations from Hopkins' book, which expands on earlier reports about the Linda "Cortile" case. Hopkins claims that the UFO involved in Linda's alleged abduction also abducted Perez de Cuellar and his bodyguards. The book refers to Perez de Cuellar as "a political figure of international significance" but does not name him directly. A significant new revelation is that one of the bodyguards, identified as "Richard," allegedly has a history of childhood abductions with Linda, and Hopkins speculates that Richard might be the father of Linda's younger son, conceived during a UFO encounter in 1981. Hopkins considers this case the most impressive UFO-abduction incident of the century.

Hopkins' initial public report on the case was at a MUFON conference in September 1992. He recounted that Linda had contacted him in April 1989, suspecting an "alien implant" on her nose. On November 30, 1989, Linda reported being beamed up to a UFO from her Manhattan apartment. Hopkins conducted a hypnotic regression session with her on December 2, 1989. During hypnosis, Linda recalled ETs communicating in a strange language, "NOBBYEGG, HOBBYEGG. NO KAVE KAVE KOBBYEGG NO KAVE," and she responded in kind. This was noted as Hopkins' first case involving an abductee claiming to speak an "alien tongue."

The "Richard" and "Dan" Letters and Investigation

In February 1991, Linda became Hopkins' "star abductee" after receiving a letter from "Richard" and "Dan," who claimed to be "police officers." They stated they witnessed Linda being beamed up to a UFO from their patrol car and that the UFO then plunged into the East River near the Brooklyn Bridge. The letter expressed uncertainty about seeking Linda out after 14-15 months. Hopkins informed Linda of the letter, and she reported that "Richard" and "Dan" visited her on February 19, 1991. Hopkins' book suggests these men had been surveilling her. When Hopkins asked them to contact him, they refused but later sent a tape recording of their account, describing the UFO plunging into the river. Richard admonished Hopkins to respect their credibility and anonymity.

Later, "Dan" sent a letter identifying them as "two detectives" rather than police officers. When Hopkins attempted to locate these detectives through the New York Police Department, he found no matches. A subsequent letter from "Richard" and "Dan" claimed they were bodyguards for a "third party" being driven to a heliport, and that this "third party" was involved in the November 1989 incident. Hopkins' book notes that it took further investigation to convince him of the "third man's" existence.

On April 29, 1991, Linda reported being abducted by Richard and Dan, who questioned her about working for a government agency and whether the UFO incident was a hoax. They also questioned if she was an ET, asking her to remove her shoes and socks to check for toes, which they believed ETs lacked.

Further Revelations and Discrepancies

Richard's letter of September 17, 1991, claimed that the ETs had abducted him, Dan, and the "Third Man" shortly after Linda's abduction. Hopkins' efforts to locate Richard and Dan included showing photos to UN security personnel, including Richard Ward, chief of the UN Security and Safety Service, who did not recognize "Dan." Investigations at the State Department and Soviet mission were also unsuccessful. A detective agency eventually identified "Dan" as a recently retired Secret Service agent, though he bore little resemblance to the photo. This led Hopkins to suspect they worked for secret intelligence agencies.

Dan's letter of September 17, 1991, described an experience on a seashore where Linda, referred to as the "Lady of the Sands," was seen with "creatures" digging in the sand. Linda reportedly spoke in a foreign tongue and presented a lifeless fish, saying, "LOOK AND SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE." The beings did not speak, but a voice from Linda's direction was heard. Hopkins suggests this incident might have been an attempt to convey an "alien concern with earth's ecology" to a political leader.

Linda's Recollections and Hopkins' Interpretation

Under hypnosis on September 21, 1991, Linda recalled the beach incident, describing being given a scoop and pail to collect soil samples to determine why sea creatures were dying. She saw three men, identified as Richard, Dan, and another, and blamed them for killing sea creatures. Hopkins found this recollection remarkably consistent with Dan's letter, noting the "extraordinary and highly detailed consonance." He also highlighted the ETs' ability to "spontaneously" reinstate memories on command, suggesting an "unsettling--and unearthly--precision."

On October 15, 1991, Linda reported another abduction by Dan to a Long Island beach house, where Dan allegedly made advances. Richard intervened, rescuing Linda. Hopkins noted physical evidence (wet, sandy nightgown, sand in hair) that validated Linda's account. Richard's letter of October 21, 1991, included photos of Linda on the beach, though some details in the photos contradicted Linda's description.

New Witness and "Richard's" Obsession

A new witness, "Janet Kimball," a 60-year-old woman, claimed her car stalled on the Brooklyn Bridge on November 30, 1989, while she witnessed Linda and three ETs being beamed up to a UFO. Her account of the UFO quickly ascending differed from the earlier Richard/Dan letter stating the UFO plunged into the river. Richard's letter of November 22, 1991, revealed a childhood connection to Linda, calling her "Baby Ann" and himself "Mickey," suggesting a decades-long relationship. Linda, under hypnosis, recalled an "imaginary friend" named Mickey, and Hopkins suggested Mickey was Richard and Linda was Baby Ann.

"The Third Man" and Perez de Cuellar's Reaction

A letter dated December 23, 1991, from "The Third and Last Man," on UN stationery, referred to the beach incident and spoke of "World Peace," but refused to reveal his involvement. Hopkins met with Perez de Cuellar in Chicago in November 1993. De Cuellar showed no recognition of the Linda incident, stating he didn't "remember anything like that" and suggesting one of his bodyguards might have seen "something...a light...years ago."

Klass's Skeptical Analysis

Klass, writing as the editor, views the entire operation as potentially orchestrated, questioning the ETs' motives and methods. He suggests the ETs may have misjudged Perez de Cuellar's eagerness for fame. Klass posits that if the demonstration was intended to showcase ETs' power, the ETs have been patient for seven years and might repeat it. He also raises the possibility that the entire case could be a hoax, perpetrated by various entities including the U.S. Government, the UN, or even SUN itself.

Other Short Shrift Items

The newsletter also includes brief reports on:

• A MUFON UFO Journal article suggesting ETs could cure diseases, with 49% of cures occurring aboard UFOs.
• A Florida woman claiming a mini-UFO cured her cancer.
• A "Roswell crash fragment" identified as the work of artist Randy Fullbright.
• Paintings by Linda "Cortile" and her son Johnny illustrating UFO abductions being offered for sale.
• A Baltimore Sun reviewer characterizing Hopkins' book as "drivel" and the UFO business as a "ridiculous fiction."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of UFO abduction claims, particularly those promoted by Budd Hopkins, and the skepticism of the newsletter's editor, Philip J. Klass. The editorial stance is one of rigorous scrutiny, highlighting inconsistencies, questioning witness credibility, and exploring potential hoaxes or misinterpretations. The newsletter aims to debunk sensational claims by presenting alternative explanations and challenging the evidence presented by ufologists.