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  • Writer's pictureJon Furr

Marley Woods



The Marley Woods is the nickname given to an area in southern Missouri that has been described as a UFO and paranormal hotspot. As we know from other cases, such as the Skinwalker Ranch in Northeastern Utah, paranormal activity is often associated with, or accompanies UFO sightings. I do not think anyone really knows who or what is behind the phenomenon, but given the data collected from these sites, we can speculate. One theory is that they are inter-dimensional beings crossing over through the thin line separating realities. Maybe it is an Ultra-terrestrial intelligence that has always been here, an ancient force dwelling in an unseen realm on Earth. Some believe it is demonic in nature. The classic Extraterrestrial Hypothesis does not seem to fit with these events, but certainly could be an option, through psychic interaction. In many cases, the accounts and stories seem to be spooky, unexplained, and as if it were sheer Magic. There does seem to be an intelligence interacting with the environment and humanity. There are other hotspots similar to Marley that seem to host this phenomenon. A few in the U.S. are San Luis Valley, Co, Catalina Island, Uintah Basin, Point Pleasant, WV, and The Devil's Backbone in West Texas. I decided drive to the Marley Woods to see if I could see the Phenomenon myself.


There are a few different spots in a 50, or so, mile radius of southern Missouri where this is seen. I will not divulge the specifics, but one can easily find the locations with a little research. The known reports started in the 60’s, and were researched by, ufologist, Ted Phillips. He founded his own research team to study the area, scientifically. Marley Woods is a host to phenomenon such as flying discs, triangles, unusual creatures, cattle mutilations, orbs or balls of light, and poltergeist activity. The most common phenomenon seen are the orbs or balls of light, which can be seen all over the area. Most are amber orbs that seem to open and close,similar to the shutter on a camera lens. Ted Phillips described seeing these, and believes they are portals to another dimension. Some believe they are intelligent beings themselves. There is testimony that the orbs have manipulated their physical surroundings, and have sent telepathic messages to humans.


There are three ranches in close vicinity of each other that are at the center of the activity, with one in particular seeing some of the most unusual activity. The ranch owners have seen physical craft, orbs, cattle mutilations, felt unseen forces, trace evidence of landings, and unusual creatures roaming the area. Unfortunately, I do not have permission to be on the property itself. The Joliff cemetery is just off the road that the ranches are on, and adds another spiritual element to the area. Experiencer, Whitley Strieber, intimated that during some of his experiences, he saw people from his life that had passed away. He believes that death plays a part in the phenomenon of alien interaction with humans. According to an article by Stephen Wagner of Thought.Co, a few of the incidents in the Marley Woods include:


”In July, 1999, a couple in their 60s witnesses an illuminated "craft" descend into the woods. The next day at a nearby farm, both of them were pushed or forced to the ground by an unseen force.

In 1970, a caretaker of a cabin in the area found a burnt ring formation on the ground measuring about 10 feet in diameter. Inside the formation were three holes in a triangular orientation.

In 1988, a witness and his wife reported seeing a cigar shaped UFO with several illuminated windows that shot a brilliant beam of light toward the ground. Imprints on the ground were later discovered.

In December 1998, a family of three were watching TV when the glass on their stereo cabinet cracked in half. Hearing a loud noise outside, they went out to investigated and found that their old junked truck -- with no engine, in gear, and with emergency brake on -- has been pushed, wheels digging into the dirt, 12 feet and into the garage door. There were no unusual markings on it.

In 1989, Children playing on a trampoline were terrified by a glowing white object that hovered in the upper branches of a nearby tree. The tree died within two weeks.

In June, 1999, a rancher found number cattle dead under mysterious circumstances. A newborn calf was picked clean of its flesh. "Baked" rings about 20 feet in diameter were found in the area, which horses were reluctant to approach.

In July, 1999, a cow, with great difficulty, gave birth to a mummified calf. Strange, swirled patches of grass were found nearby.

On September 4, 2008 a property owner saw two extremely large dog-like animals some 880 feet away. They were in the corner of two fields and were walking slowly together. He stated the animals would weigh at least 200 lbs.”

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After returning from the area of the ranch to my hotel room later that night, I was excited to check the footage of a strange light that I had filmed. The camera rebooted itself while filming, and stuck on the boot screen. I had to restart it, and it began to function, again. Not only was the footage of the strange light erased from the drive, but the entire drive had been wiped. All of the footage of the Marley Woods drive in, and the ranch was lost. Now, this was most certainly the result of the camera malfunctioning while filming, but it seemed like an odd coincidence. Strange things happen around this ranch, and in particular, accompanying UAP sightings. These craft are believed to create effects that could give rise to electric, electromagnetic, and gravitational disturbances. I did still have the photos, of the ranch sites and Joliff cemetery, that I took with my phone. It wasn't a total loss. I could have gone back to the ranch the next day and re-filmed, but I was tired and didn't want to risk being back out on the old gravel road at the ranch. I was already a bit spooked by being at the ranch, just knowing the history of the phenomenon there. The area was even more rural than I thought, and I'm not used to being in that environment. The police or anyone could have rolled up on me out in the remote areas of the ranches, and things could have taken a turn for the worse. Everyone that I encountered in the area was nice and helpful, though. I had an ominous feeling at that point, and began to think I may not want to come back. I wound down, and went to sleep. I suddenly woke up at around 5am, with a really weird feeling like I was not welcome, and I should just get up and go home. I’m sure at some point we have all had the feeling that we were tampering with something that we shouldn’t be. That we were asking for trouble. This phenomenon seems to have the effect of stalking people back, and even following them home. So I got up , showered and checked out of the hotel. It was still dark and as I am exiting the parking lot to go down the driveway on the hill, I suddenly hear a crash and scraping noise. I open my driver door and realize my car is pitched up at about a 70 degree angle. I hit a ditch and the right side of my car had gone off the edge of the drive into the ditch. Long story short, I got a tow to pull me out with no damage to the car. Another side effect of the phenomenon?, who could say. Bad luck or maybe a warning shot, I don’t know. I did not see the amber orbs that have been described by so many, experience any kind of overt physical poltergeist phenomenon, or see any unusual creatures. Since being home, I have not had any unusual activity, or any reason to believe something followed me home. I still haven't decided if I will return to investigate further.



* Sources: Physical Trace Cases: Marley Woods

Marley Woods - Missouri's Secret UFO Hotspot

Credit: Stephen Wagner, Thought Co





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