YEAR: 2008

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: September

DATE: 28

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Christian County

LOCATION DETAILS: Near the South Fork of the Sangamon River bridge on Illinois Route 48, two miles southwest of Taylorville.

NEAREST TOWN: Taylorville

NEAREST ROAD: Illinois Route 48

OBSERVED: My brother's wife said a very large hairy thing walked out of a ditch and across in front of her car one Sunday afternoon.This took place on Illinois Rt. 48 by the South Fork of the Sangamon River bridge. She stated that this thing stepped over a guard rail like it was nothing and walked off into the timber.

OTHER WITNESSES: None

OTHER STORIES: My brother told me a story of two men, a father and son from either Litchfield or Hillsboro who were attending Lincolnland Community College who saw this same creature at the same location walk in front of their vehicle earlier in the year than his wife's sighting. Nothing was said to anyone, nor was this ever reported.The father and son were scared and said not to tell anyone because people would think they were crazy.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Around 4:30 p.m.

ENVIRONMENT: Bridge/timbered area/creek bottom

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke to the submitter's brother and his brother's wife who had the sighting.

The sighting was brief but the witness does remember the following:

- The animal was about 7 feet tall.
- The body build was huge and muscular.
- The hair was dark brown in color.
- The animal walked with a normal walking pace.
- The animal was unconcerned about the approaching vehicle but just walked nonchalantly across the road and did not look towards the witness.
- The witness was unable to see the face.

Although this is the first published report from this county there have been several other possible sightings, and all adjoining counties do have published reports.

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at illinois@bfro.net