I was contacted by 'Edward' in Kansas City, Kansas by telephone after he read a post that referenced my book Mothman Dynasty: Chicago's Winged Humanoids.Edward wanted to share an encounter he and his cousin had in the summer of 1999 between 10 and 11 PM local time. They were traveling southbound on I-49 toward Joplin, Missouri, with Edward driving. He could not recall the exact area, but they were not too far from Joplin. He states that he noticed a tall figure quickly running from the direction of medium to his left, then directly in front of his car. Both he and his cousin observed this human-like being and immediately said to each other that it 'looked like a gargoyle.' The headlights illuminated the humanoid so well that both witnesses could get a good description of it. The 'gargoyle' was at least 6 1/2 ft. tall and had dark, leathery, hairless skin covering its body. The being looked toward the witnesses, and its face featured starkly flattened characteristics with large, deep-set eyes. There were large wings that lay flat on its back but were extended as it reached the right side of the highway. Edward believes the being began to ascend into the air above the field. Edward noted that he had no other comparisons to make regarding the humanoid other than calling it a "gargoyle.' However, after watching the movie 'Jeepers Creepers' following the film's release in 2001, he stated that the humanoid was 'very similar' to the 'Creeper' character. Both witnesses remained quiet about the encounter until a few years later when Edward married his wife. He and his cousin recounted the incident to her.  The witness seemed grateful that he could 'tell his story without someone thinking he was crazy.' LonReal Monsters, Gruesome Critters, and Beasts from the DarksideEncounters with Flying Humanoids: Mothman, Manbirds, Gargoyles & Other Winged BeastsWeird Missouri: Your Travel Guide to Missouri's Local Legends and Best Kept SecretsWeird Highway: Missouri**********-----PHANTOMS & MONSTERS RADIO is LIVEFRIDAY at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT onYouTube & FacebookGRUESOME HUMANOIDS! CRAWLERS, GHOULS, & GOLLUMS| Join Us - LIVE CHAT | Q&A (WHAT ARE PEOPLE SEEING?)PHANTOMS & MONSTERS VIDEO LIBRARYLISTEN TO NARRATIONS OF PHANTOMS & MONSTERS REPORTS & CASES - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & SHAREPHANTOMS & MONSTERS RADIO Podcasts on SpotifyHave you had a sighting or encounter?Contact me by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. LonOUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS-----If you have information about the Chicago Mothman or any other cryptid, unexplained sighting, or encounter, please contact me by email or at 410-241-5974. Thanks again! LonCHICAGO MOTHMAN / O'HARE BATMAN YouTube PlaylistChicago / Lake Michigan Winged Humanoid Regional Interactive MapEXCLUSIVE VIDEO of CHICAGO MOTHMAN RECORDED----------The Serpent's Key • 28 Carlisle St. HANOVER, PA 17331-------------------------Are you searching for a reasonable, cost-effective way to advertise your business, book, event, investigative team, or podcast? Phantoms & Monsters provides wide exposure for your ad on social media and media aggregators. Contact me at stricklercelebs1028@gmail.com or go to this link. We also provide free graphic creation if needed. Thanks. Lon----------YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! THANKS-----Have you had a sighting or encounter?Contact us by email or call the hotline at 410-241-5974Thanks. Lon Noted UFOlogist Dr. Raymond Keller believes the idea of extraterrestrials and even ultra-dimensional beings from many different planets and alternate realms living and working among us clandestinely is more than just another conspiracy theory.Available on Amazon.comSan Francisco Book Festival Honorable MentionNew York Book Festival Honorable MentionAlso available with audiobooknarration by Terry Springs,CBS-TV Las Vegas affiliate.OUR PRIVACY POLICYThis blog and newsletter are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Work 3.0 United States License.Registered trademark PHANTOMS AND MONSTERS ® / PHANTOMS & MONSTERS ® - USPTO #90902480 - Lon D. Strickler© 2005-2025 Phantoms & Monsters - All Rights Reserved