Stigmata - Issue 20

Magazine Overview

Title: STIGMATA
Issue: Number 20
Year: 1983
Price: $3.00
Publisher: PROJECT STIGMA
Address: P.O. Box 1094, Paris, Texas 75460 U.S.A.

This issue of STIGMATA, number 20, is presented as the sole edition for 1983, with plans for one or two issues in 1984. The magazine focuses on the "Project Stigma Report on the Continuing Investigation into the Occurrence of Animal Mutilations." The publisher apologizes for a sluggish publishing schedule and notes that the next issue would hopefully appear in late winter or spring of 1984, summarizing 1983 developments. A separate publication, "CRUX," was slated for release before the end of 1983.

Subscription and Back Issues

Subscriptions for 1983 cost $5.00 (U.S. and Canadian) or $10.00 (foreign). Subscribers paying for 1983 would also receive the 1984 issue(s). Single copies of issue number 20 and 1984 subscriptions were priced at $3.00 (U.S. or Canadian) and $5.00 (foreign). Back issues were available at varying prices: Numbers 13, 14, 16, and 17 were $2.00 (U.S./Canada) and $3.00 (foreign). Numbers 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 18, and 19 were available at $3.00 (U.S./Canada) and $4.00 (foreign), with limited supply for some. Payment was to be made in U.S. cash, U.S. money orders, Canadian cash, or checks drawn on U.S. banks.

1982 - A SUMMARY

The magazine presents a state-by-state summary of the 1982 animal mutilation situation. It notes a tendency for livestock owners, particularly ranchers in the West and Midwest, not to report mutilations to local constabularies, fearing ineffective investigations. However, it acknowledges that some law enforcement agencies still attempt diligent investigations.

Arizona

In Arizona, few details emerged regarding livestock mutilations, but a report from E. Edwin Austin of the Mutilation Data Center indicated over 150 mutilated coyotes, dogs, cats, and possums in Maricopa County. The animals were found with heads and legs cut off, disemboweled, and some skinned. A peculiar symbol, a circle with a diagonal line, was found marked on pieces of paper at one scene, which the author interprets as a symbol meaning "prohibited" when superimposed on other symbols, potentially implying a threat of violence.

Arkansas

In Carroll County, Arkansas, a $800 polled Hereford cow was found dead with its tongue, one ear, and female genitalia missing, with no blood evident. Deputy Sheriff George Currie speculated the blood might have been drained and stated the cuts ruled out other animals. A horse was also found dead in the same area under similar circumstances.

California

Northern California:
In San Mateo County, two cows were found dead with "prime cuts" removed, and two horses were shot and killed, with their tails cut off. The horses were valued at approximately $18,000 and $3500. The "Christ Family" cult was mentioned as a potential suspect, though local officials offered a "near-dismissal." Humane officer Kurt Lapham noted an alert for a religious cult from Oregon or Northern California involved in killing animals and removing organs. Later, three severed dog paws were found in Pescadero. The University of California at Davis autopsied the dead horses, finding .22 caliber bullets and fragments, and a broken vertebra in one.

In Solano County, two incidents in city parks involved slaughtered animals and apparent cult-paraphernalia. A German Shepherd and two cats were found with throats slit, and burned candles and markings were present. Another cat was found with its throat cut, and Satanic-like markings were observed.

Southern California:
In the Laguna Hills area of Orange County, six cats were killed and partially eaten in December 1981, possibly by a coyote or dog. In the Agoura and Westlake Village areas, over 150 cats had been killed over a six-year period, with 16 "cat mutilations" reported by mid-summer 1982. These cats were described as surgically mutilated, with genitals and internal organs removed, and often cut in two with no blood left at the scene. D. Scott Rogo suggested these incidents might be the work of an aberrant human. A classic cow mutilation was reported in the Tehachapi Mountains in 1981, but without details.

The cat killings became more prominent in the media in September 1982. The LOS ANGELES TIMES reported that since 1976, about 200 cats had been killed and dismembered in the Conejo Valley. The mutilations were described as precise, with cats cut in half or slit from throat to stomach. In October 1982, a public meeting suggested the killings were conducted by coyotes, though this was later questioned. In July 1982, deputies were assigned to the cat mutilation case, and in January 1983, it was announced that the killings since 1976 were apparently the work of coyotes.

Bizarre cat killings in Los Angeles also date back to 1974, with bodies found on porches or lawns with no blood or fur, leading police to discount the coyote theory. Some suggested ritualistic killings by an occult group.

Colorado

In 1982, mutilation reports persisted in Central Colorado. On April 1, 1983, a documentary "A Strange Harvest" was re-broadcast. Linda Moulton Howe received 18 mutilation reports from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Kansas in the autumn of 1982.

Douglas County: On September 10, a 1,000-lb., 15-year-old black Angus cow was found dead with its udder removed by a clean, circular cut and a 12-inch hole cut under the tail. The animal's back was broken, with speculation of a bull jumping on it or it jumping on another cow, though no bulls were present. A reporter who visited the scene became convinced a cult was involved.

El Paso County: On September 16, a 6-year-old female Hereford-Angus cross-breed cow was found dead with its udder removed by a clean vertical cut and remaining teats cut cleanly. The rectal area had a vertical oval wound. Deputy D. R. Kelsey noted that the cuts appeared to be made by an instrument rather than an animal. On September 13, three people were caught butchering a cow, motivated by the hindquarter of beef. They were interrupted by a ranch foreman and his daughter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are animal mutilations, the challenges of investigating such cases, and the potential involvement of cults or aberrant individuals. The magazine adopts an investigative stance, presenting reports and findings from various sources, including law enforcement, researchers, and media outlets. There is an underlying tone of skepticism towards official explanations when they seem to dismiss unusual aspects of the cases. The publication itself acknowledges its own irregular publishing schedule, indicating a dedication to pursuing the investigation despite logistical difficulties.

This document, issue 11 of the magazine 'UFO', published by UFO, focuses on animal mutilation cases primarily from 1982, with a significant concentration in Colorado, but also including reports from Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. The issue date is listed as September 29, 1982, though the content spans various dates within that year and earlier.

Colorado Cases

The issue details several animal mutilation incidents in Colorado:

El Paso County

• Mid-September: Mrs. Kobilan reported hearing a helicopter but seeing nothing. Later, on September 29th, she saw a yellow light from a helicopter flying towards the Larry Mikita ranch. The same morning, Larry Mikita found one of his cows mutilated. The right ear and eye were removed, along with part of the hide around them. The tongue was cut vertically, leaving about three inches. Teeth were also removed. Unlike the Dzuris case, the rear of the animal was undisturbed. Coyotes did not approach the carcass for several days.
• Early October: Near Rush, Don Bingham (pseudonym) reported a three-or-four-year-old cow found in an unusual position, as if 'zapped' to the ground. The cow was found on the south side of a fence, having apparently torn loose a gate. Her back legs were behind her, front legs underneath, in a sitting position. The cow was estimated to have been dead for 3-4 days. The rectum and one ear were missing. A strip of flesh was missing from across the jaw. A man baling hay saw a bright, mercury-vapor-like light moving at ground level in the pasture.

Washington County

• October 26-27: A mare was killed and mutilated near Lindon. Both ears were missing flush with the head. An oblong area of hide was taken from around the vagina. A tiny blood spot was noted on the right shoulder. Three dewclaws were cleanly cut off. On the 29th, drops of blood appeared on needle-size spots on the animal's back. No scavenging animals disturbed the carcass.

Huerfano County

• Late October: A rancher near Gardner reported his third mutilation since 1975. A steer's penis was removed, leaving a twelve-inch oval wound. One ear was severed, and the anal area was 'cored out' to a depth of 18 inches. The steer died on the same weekend that townspeople in Gardner saw bright hovering lights over the area for three nights.

Weld County

• November 20-23: A 9-year-old Charolais cow was found dead near a water tank. About half of the animal's udder was cut away, and two teats on the left side were missing. The vulvar area was excised. A hole, approximately 2mm in diameter, was found in the forehead. One eyeball was missing. The veterinarian noted that the removal of the eyeball was particularly unusual. Evidence suggested possible injection of material into the brain. No scavengers touched the carcass.

Iowa Cases

Pottawattamie County

• February 15: Four dogs were found dead at an intersection.
• April 14: One dog was found with burns, stab wounds, and a metal rod imbedded.
• Last week of April: A cat was found with its head apparently twisted off and three legs twisted or torn off. These incidents were noted as possibly not linked to the 'classic mutilation' scenario.

Kansas Cases

Cowley County

• December 11: A 550-lb. bull calf was found dead. One eyeball and one ear were missing. The hide on one side of the face was cut away, and a 'good portion' of the tongue was missing. The rectal area and genitals had been excised. It was suspected that blood had been drained, but this was concluded due to the lack of blood. The wounds looked 'surgical'. Coyotes did not immediately feed on the carcass. Jeep tracks were found in the pasture, but not near the carcass.

Nebraska Cases

Chase County

• June (first half): Two Hereford heifers were found dead. The udder, vulva, and anus were missing from both. There were no tracks or blood. The sheriff declined to investigate, claiming he didn't want to 'get involved'.

Madison County

• December 3: A 750-lb. heifer was found dead along a fence line. Both ears were missing. The right front leg was 'severed cleanly', and hide and flesh up the right side from the leg to the face seemed to have been excised. A 9-inch, half-moon cut was noted on the right flank. There was no trace of scavengers and very little evidence of blood. The animal was cut with a 'very sharp knife'.

• May 1982: Rumors of human mutilations of young boys were persistent in Lincoln, but without evidence. A Texas truck driver overheard discussions about livestock mutilations in the area, suggesting recent, possibly unreported cases.

New Mexico Cases

New Mexico had a high number of reported mutilations, primarily in Rio Arriba County.

Rio Arriba County

• January: Eight miles north of Espanola, a 5-year-old female Hereford was discovered. The rectum and tongue were cut out, and the heart was reportedly missing. Two 'needle marks' were on the lower abdomen. The animal was seen alive the previous day.
• May 9: Manuel Gomez's herd suffered its ninth mutilation (five cows, two bulls, one heifer, one horse since 1975). A pregnant cow was found dead, thought to have died more than 24 hours prior. The udder and tongue were missing, as was part of a lip. Rectum was cut into. A banana-shaped 'scrape' was on the right jaw, and a 2-inch-diameter hole was under a back leg. Gomez expressed frustration, feeling targeted. His insurance company had previously canceled his policy after he reported mutilations.
• May: 'The Light' (UFOs) was frequently seen over Dulce preceding mutilations.
• June 14-15: Manuel Gomez's herd experienced its tenth mutilation. A 5-year-old cow was found missing its uterus, tongue, and one eye. Ribs were broken. The cow was thought to have been dropped from the air. The heart was 'mushy', and the blood failed to clot. The removal of the eyeball was particularly puzzling.
• June 28: Manuel Gomez found his eleventh mutilated animal. A 5-year-old cow was missing its tongue, upper lip, and half of the udder. Gomez contrasted his understanding of mutilations with predator kills, stating predators would not leave an untouched carcass.
• August 10: A mutilated cow was discovered in the Quemado area, but no details were forthcoming.
• August 15: A 4-year-old Charolais was found west of Dulce. The tongue and udder had been taken; the rectum had been 'cored out' and two teeth were missing. The cow was thought to have been dead for two days.

Sandoval County

• March 21: Two 5-year-old bulls, weighing over 1200 pounds each, were found dead and mutilated a quarter-mile apart. Reproductive organs were removed with a sharp instrument. Part of the wound on one bull looked burnt or singed. Officer Michael Avilucea speculated an airborne object might have picked them up and dropped them. The bulls' backs were broken. Low-flying aircraft reports were also received.
• May 25: A cow was discovered, missing its reproductive organs. The right front leg was broken and bruised. This herd was struck again later (case no. 10).
• June 15: Verdelia Gutierrez and her sons lost another cow. A dark green helicopter was spotted flying low over the ranch the previous morning. The cow was missing its uterus, tongue, and one eye. Ribs were broken. The animal was thought to have been dropped from the air. The heart was 'mushy', and the blood failed to clot. The removal of the eyeball was puzzling.

San Juan County

• May 28: A 6-year-old cow was found mutilated. The cow was thought to have died around the 24th or 26th. No scavengers touched it. Dog and coyote tracks were found, but none came closer than 6 feet. High radiation readings were noted around the carcass and the mutilated lower jaw. Prints of a large shoe or flat-heeled boot were found.

Colfax County

• Early May: A 10-year-old cow was found dead. It was 'torn open' around the udder area, but teats were present. A hole in the right underarm allowed blood to exit. Foam was found near the carcass. The cow had walked in a 100-foot circle, depositing foam. This was not considered a 'classic' case.

Rio Arriba County (cases 8 & 9)

• June: Two cows were found dead in the Chama area, too decomposed for autopsy. However, hide around the jaws appeared to have been cut away cleanly, suggesting possible mutilations.

North Carolina Cases

Rowan County

• June and July: Two animals were mutilated within a one-mile area of Woodleaf. A bull had its ear cut off and genitals mutilated. A calf had an ear and eye missing. A goat's throat was cut. Another bull was butchered in a field. The incisions were clean, like with a scalpel.
• End of November: A goat was mutilated.
• January 12 (1983): The skinned carcass of a poodle was found.
• A couple of years prior: Six or eight white rabbits were found skinned, with carcasses and skins stacked in two piles.
• June: A 1100-lb. bull was mutilated at the home of Mrs. Truett Smith. Its ear and eye were removed. The organs removed suggested a cult, according to the sheriff's office. The bull was found tied between trees, with two cigarette butts nearby.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence and consistency of animal mutilations across different states, the precise and unusual nature of the injuries (clean cuts, organ removal, lack of blood), the frequent association with unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs, helicopters), and the often inadequate or dismissive responses from law enforcement. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious documentation and investigation of these phenomena, presenting detailed accounts and witness testimonies to support the reality of these events, while acknowledging the difficulty in finding definitive explanations. The publication seems to advocate for the recognition of these events as distinct from natural predation or conventional causes.

This issue of CRUX, identified by the number 21, focuses on a collection of unexplained animal mutilation cases and related phenomena from various locations across the United States. The content is primarily text-based, detailing specific incidents with dates, locations, and witness accounts. The main headline for this section is 'MUTE MISCELLANY', suggesting a compilation of diverse, possibly related, unexplained events.

North Carolina

The issue begins with a continuation of a report from North Carolina. It details an incident where a bull's cuts were remarkably clean and bloodless. Additionally, in mid-July 1982, near the site of a previous bull mutilation, a week-old calf was found with one ear apparently cut off. The source is cited as the Salisbury, NC, POST, dated January 24, 1983, with credit given to Peter Guttilla via Lucius Farish (UFO Newsclipping Service) and Honnie Smith.

North Dakota

A report from North Dakota describes an attack on the cattle herd of Raymond Skor in Divide County, near Wildrose, on the night of March 26 or early morning of March 27, 1982. One milk cow and one calf were killed, and two other calves died from emotional stress. Nine other cows required sutures for multiple wounds. Federal government trappers visited the scene and noted that while footprints appeared canine, the wounds were single, deep slashes caused by an animal with a single, very long, and sharp tooth, described as slicing like a knife. Mrs. Skor noted that her husband had checked the barn the previous evening and all was well. Raymond Skor later stated that no additional attacks occurred to his herd or others in the area, to his knowledge. A farmer 4 miles east did find a horse that died that same weekend, but it was attributed to natural causes. A government trapper suggested a 'single claw theory,' visualizing an animal the size of a bear with one claw that could have caused the wounds.

South Dakota

In late October to early November, four dogs were found killed and mutilated in Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, within a week. The police department assigned four men to the case. The incidents included a small dog skinned, a golden retriever and a doberman found 'badly mutilated,' and a small animal found skinned and headless. Two of the dogs were taken from their home kennels and found dead in garages. Laboratory reports indicated the dogs were not poisoned or tranquilized. A turquoise necklace was found at one scene. Authorities discussed a 'cult connection,' but Detective Captain Don Skadsen personally felt it was not that type of thing based on the circumstances and wounds.

Texas

On October 20, in Duval County, near San Diego, ranch workers found the remains of a six-year-old calf. It was suspected to have died around October 18th. The calf's head and tail were cleanly severed, and its internal viscera were missing. A piece of 'tin' sheet-metal lay on the ground where the head should be, and a white powder was found on the carcass. An empty sardine can and a jawbone were also found nearby. The incident was reported to the sheriff's office, but the sheriff was reportedly uncooperative. A number of cattle mutilations have occurred in the Duval-Jim Hogg-Brooks Counties region, with most occurring in the mid-1970s. An unidentified 'lion-like' animal with a 'big head' and reddish body had been spotted in the area, with witnesses describing its eyes as red reflectors. Some animals killed or mutilated in the area were thought to be victims of this 'mystery cat.'

Utah - Wyoming

Cases in Utah and Wyoming are considered together, occurring along the border in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, and Daggett County, Utah, between September 20/21 and October 24, 1982. Over three dozen cases have occurred in the three-county area since 1975. Eight cases from 1982 are detailed:

1. A Hereford cow found on September 22 had its udder and right ear cut off, and half of its left ear excised. The ear tag was removed and left on the cow's neck.
2. A $600 cow found on September 26 was estimated to have died since the 23rd. Its tongue, left ear, and entire udder were taken.
3. Another $600 cow found mutilated on September 26, thought to have died a day or two prior. Its left ear was removed, and an unspecified number of teats were also taken.
4. A four-year-old cow found missing its left ear, entire udder, and a section of its rectal area.
5. A $500 cow found on another ranch around October 10th was missing its left ear, all teats, and female genitalia.
6. A 2-year-old, 600-lb. bull calf mutilated around October 19th had its left ear cut off, penis removed, leaving a clean oval wound. Some blood was noted in the nose and mouth.
7. A 400-lb. Hereford steer calf killed and mutilated around Oct. 19th or 20th had its penis and scrotum taken, along with the left ear and tongue. A portion of hide was removed from the lower left side of the jaws.
8. Another 400-lb. Hereford steer calf, mutilated around October 24th, had only its left ear taken. A veterinarian felt it might have died of natural causes due to lung infection.

Sheriff's deputy Theron Wilde stated that predators could not be responsible for these mutilations, as they would typically go for the abdominal cavity first. The state crime lab agreed to treat potential mutilation cases with the same methods as homicide investigations. Wilde also reported helicopter activity in the area during the mutilations. He observed a small 2-seater helicopter with a glass bubble and silver tail with red, circling over pasture lands. A similar chopper was observed again on November 7th. This area was also the site of 'mystery helicopter' sightings reported in 1980.

Washington

In February 1982, Pierce County reported the 23rd known horse mutilation since 1975. These attacks, often targeting geldings or stallions, differed from 'classic' mutilations as many horses survived. They usually involved the removal of the penis with a sharp instrument, and there was ample blood. A gelded quarter horse found alive but bleeding profusely had its penis severed. A veterinarian could not find any entrance wound from a dart or needle, stating the horse looked normal except for the bleeding. On May 12, a 6-week-old colt was found alive with a deep 3-inch gash in the groin area, with intestines trailing out, suggesting it struggled against its attackers. Authorities believed it was an attempt at sexual mutilation. By November 1982, a reward for the mutilators reached almost $10,000. Investigations were unable to discern patterns. The cuts were described as 'smooth, clean cuts' indicating an extremely sharp instrument. In Snohomish County, a significant number of horses were reported missing or stolen. In Yakima, up to 14 dogs had been skinned within a year, with smooth razor cuts, and their carcasses tossed over a fence. Some cats were also 'partially skinned' with similar cuts.

West Virginia

In early September, in Preston County, a couple named the Sandersons moved onto property where they brought horses and three goats. In August, the youngest goat was found 'ripped in half,' with a fractured backbone and partially eaten. In early September, a second goat was found with its ample udder missing, removed 'smooth as could be' with no damage to the abdominal cavity and no blood. The carcass was not scavenged for about a week. The third goat, chained nearby, remained physically well but became suddenly fearful and nervous, looking haggard and thin, and walking in a constant circle.

Preview - 1983

The issue previews 1983, noting that the 'trickle' of mutilation reports typically becomes heavier around mid-year. Mutilators had already struck Colorado and Texas, with rumors from Arizona. Northern New Mexico was reported as the hardest hit so far.

Mute Miscellany

This section compiles additional miscellaneous reports and information:

• Houston Area Abduction Account: Linda Moulton Howe presented an account from her documentary 'A Strange Harvest,' based on a regressive hypnosis session with a woman abducted in 1973. Aboard a UFO, she witnessed the mutilation of a calf. Her daughter, also abducted, has resurfaced and is interested in determining what occurred. The Texas woman, driving in Missouri in 1983, reported her car being paced by a white-light UFO, which then hovered over a barn where three cattle were reportedly found dead and mutilated three years prior.
• Upcoming Book: A book titled 'CLEAR INTENT' by Lawrence Fawcett and Barry J. Greenwood is anticipated in 1984. It will examine the government/UFO connection, including information on 1975 mutilations and helicopter overflights of military installations.
• Videocassette Releases: Two videocassette releases are mentioned: 'Endangered Species' (MGM/UA) and a documentary 'UFOs It Has Begun,' which is actually an early-to-mid 70s film titled 'UFOS Past, Present & Future' with added mutilation material narrated by Jacques Vallee.
• Conference Announcement: Ray Boeche and Terry E. Mahlman announced a public conference on 'Exploring Unexplained Phenomena' in Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 11-13, 1983. Speakers include J. Allen Hynek, John F. Schuessler, Budd Hopkins, Lawrence Fawcett, Loren Coleman, Roy Mackal, and Larry Arnold. Linda Moulton Howe and Tom Adams will cover mutilations.
• Canadian Investigation: Investigator Tommy Roy Blann received confirmation in May 1983 from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police that the investigation into cattle mutilations in Alberta continues.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is unexplained animal mutilations, presented as a series of documented incidents across various states. The magazine appears to lean towards the possibility of non-terrestrial or highly unusual causes, given the mention of UFOs, 'mystery helicopters,' and the consistent description of wounds that defy conventional explanations of animal predation or vandalism. The editorial stance seems to be one of reporting and investigating these phenomena, highlighting the baffling nature of the cases and the challenges faced by authorities. The 'Mute Miscellany' section further broadens the scope to include related topics like UFO abductions and government connections to UFOs, suggesting an underlying interest in the broader UFO phenomenon.