YEAR: 2021

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: August

DATE: Sunday

STATE: Ohio

COUNTY: Medina County

LOCATION DETAILS: [Investigator (MM) Notes:

We are unable to provide a GPS point for where the sounds were coming from. The witness only knows a vector and best guess distance of a half mile. The whoops were coming from somewhere in the vicinity of where Silvercreek Road and Wall Road intersect.

NEAREST TOWN: Wadsworth, Ohio

NEAREST ROAD: Wall Rd.

OBSERVED: On August 14, 2021 I was sitting outside watching the Perseid meteor shower when I heard two “whoops” off in the distance. No long howl, just two “whoops”. It was about 23:30 hrs. on a dark night.

The sounds sent all the hair on my arms and neck to stand up. The sounds came from the southern part of Wadsworth, Ohio. South of Johnson but north of Wall Rd.

I immediately went inside and began to search the internet for similar audio examples of what I heard, for comparison purposes. I located sounds on the internet of alleged Bigfoot that were eerily similar to the sounds I heard on August 14, 2021.

ALSO NOTICED: Coyote were heard shortly after and then stopped howling.

OTHER WITNESSES: No other apparent witnesses

OTHER STORIES: Read about prior sighting that occurred in the area of Silver Lake park which is about 1 mile away.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Occurred about 23:30 hrs. Mostly clear night and came from a wooded area. No moonlight.

ENVIRONMENT: Wooded area

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Mike Stanec:

The reporting subject was interviewed on 01/14/2023 at his home. Present were the subject, his spouse, and this investigator. Subject had submitted original report on 08/21/2021, one week after incident.

The subject resides in a residential subdivision that borders on a rural area, including farm fields, woods, and proximity to a county park. The subject is a twenty-plus year law enforcement officer of a department that serves a population of over 197,000, the last eleven years as a detective. The subject appeared credible and honest.

On the evening of August 14, 2021, the subject was sitting on his back patio alone, stargazing and enjoying a cigar. @ 2330, the subject heard what he described as two howls ("whoops"), originating south of his property, that he estimated to be roughly 0.5 miles away.

The subject stated that he hears the local train and owls but never heard this sound before, other than on TV. He stated that he was startled and uncomfortable with the sound and returned to his home. After attempting to process what he had heard, he searched the internet to attempt to find a similar sound. He found what he described as an audio recording of two "whoops". He saved that recording to his phone. During the interview he played this (similar) recording to this investigator. He stated that the “whoops” were longer in duration to any owl sounds he ever heard and were loud enough to be heard from a considerable distance.

During the interview, the subject provided this investigator with an audio recording from 09/21/2022, 20:41, while relaxing on his patio, that he recorded of a “scream”. The subject stated that several neighbors heard the “scream” as well, and that it was a topic of discussion in the neighborhood. To rule out a fox’ scream, this investigator provided the recording to Dr. Kenny Brown, BFRO Investigator, for analysis. Dr. Brown’s initial response was that (while) the initial part sounds foxlike, the second vocal does not sound foxlike at all, and lasts long and has pitch changes that are not typical of foxes. Additionally, it does not repeat the vocals, which is atypical of fox vocalizations. Foxes usually repeat their scream multiple times, not just once.

This investigator concludes that the subject heard a sound similar to recorded “whoops” from other sources, but without audio recording of the actual event that took place on August 14, 2021, could not conclude that what was heard was a Sasquatch.

However, based upon the subject’s recollection and physical reactions to the recounting of his story, I do believe that it was likely something not easily explained. There is not enough information to draw a finite conclusion. Conversely, the audio recording that the subject provided, after his original report, is compelling, especially after vetting through Dr. Brown. This investigator instructed the subject to continue to record in the evening, keep his ears open to his neighbors re. any information that they may have or obtain and to contact this investigator if any further incidents occur.

About BFRO Investigator Mike Stanec:

Mike is a retired Firefighter and Paramedic, with special training in Search & Rescue. He has been an Investigator for the BFRO since June, 2022, primarily focusing on Northeast Ohio. Mike has attended several Ohio Expeditions and other related activities. He assists other Investigators in research and investigations.