John Keel – Dead At 79

John Alva Keel, author, journalist, and one of the most influential figures in paranormal phenomenon research since Charles Fort, died on July 3, 2009 at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. Keel was 79 years old.

Keel was most famous for his 1975 book, the The Mothman Prophecies, which was made into a movie in 2002 starring Richard Gere as Keel. His previous work included writing for Flying Saucer Review, Saga magazine, and his 1970 book, UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse where he expanded on his theory that UFOs were of “ultraterrestrial” not “extraterrestrial” origin. This theory made him a controversial ufologists and cryptozoologist. Keel’s views seemed to annoy and anger the UFO and Bigfoot hunters who wanted hard evidence of little green men from space and big hairy men in the woods.

Keel’s book, Strange Creatures from Time and Space, is a must read for anyone interested in fortean phenomenon.

“Ufology is just another name for demonology.” – John Keel

Keel cross referenced incredible amounts of sighting and reports of all sorts of fortean phenomenon, finding trends in the most likely time sightings were reported, comparing days of the week, days of the month and month, (Wednesday April 21st being the most likely) and even the most common last name of people who reported such oddities, creating the concept of the ‘name game’.

I attempted to contact Keel in late 2006 with several picture I was in possession of that match his Mothman descriptions. I was told Keel had suffered a heart attack in October of 2006 and was not able to look at the pictures.

Take care Mr. Keel. I can only hope you have found in the next life some answers to all the questions that you left us with.

Say hi to Indrid Cold for me.