I’m looking for help to determine what my mom and brother experienced a couple of summers ago. They described seeing a ‘ball of metal’ that was transparent, about the size of a small car, completely silent, and the ‘blackest black’ they’ve ever encountered. It landed in my mom’s driveway.
Date: September 2021, Around 4:00 PM
Location: 15 miles west of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Here’s what happened: They were chatting in my mom’s backyard, with her facing the house and my brother and his fiancée turned away from it. The driveway is located to the left of the house from their perspective.
While my brother was speaking, something caught my mom’s attention above the driveway. When she looked up, she exclaimed, “WHAT THE F**K?!” (which is very out of character for her).
Without hesitating, she ran over to it, and it was hovering just above the driveway. As she got closer, she felt like it ‘noticed’ her, turning toward her in a way that gave her the impression it could see her—similar to the feeling of being watched.
My brother and his fiancée then approached as well. As they got nearer, the object slowly ascended into the sky. My mom claims it seemed to change shape as it went higher, resembling a ‘jetpack man’ or someone wearing a cape. I suspect this was just an optical illusion caused by its unusual design as it moved further away.
Here are some key details they provided:
- The object was the ‘blackest black’ they’ve ever seen, but it wasn’t shiny.
- It had a round shape, but with a mesh-like, see-through design, leaving the middle empty.
- It was about the size of a compact car, maybe slightly smaller.
- My mom described its surface as resembling ‘randomly placed lightning-bolt-shaped metal’, almost like it was hastily assembled.
- There was no sound when it was nearby and none when it lifted off.
- They saw no visible motor, camera, or propulsion system.
I encouraged them to draw what they saw while the memory was fresh, but none complied. When I asked my brother why he hadn’t looked into it more, he said he tried to research it but found nothing similar, so he ‘gave up’.
My mom still brings it up, completely baffled, and I share her perplexity. I reached out to a friend who used to run the local community airport and served in the Air Force, asking if he had heard of any unusual aircraft on that day. He confirmed there were no reports and suggested it could have been a realtor drone. However, they dismissed that idea due to its round shape and lack of moving parts.
Honestly, if only one of them had seen this, I might have thought they were imagining things. But since they all witnessed it together, I believe something unusual did occur.
When I share this story with friends, they often ask, “Why didn’t they take a photo?” I explain that when something unprecedented appears before you, the shock and confusion can paralyze your ability to capture it. By the time you’re ready to document it, it may already be gone or too far away for a decent photo.
This may also explain why many UAP/UFO images are poor quality—people are often more focused on understanding what they’re witnessing rather than recording it.
I’ve been trying to create an AI-generated image based on their descriptions, but every time my mom insists it doesn’t resemble what they saw. I’m hoping someone here might recognize this description or has had a similar experience.
What an intriguing experience your family had! It’s always fascinating to hear about unexplained sightings, especially when multiple people witness something together. The detailed descriptions your mom and brother provided suggest they encountered something quite unusual—especially the ‘blackest black’ appearance and the see-through design.
While it’s challenging to pinpoint exactly what they saw without more information or documentation (like photos), there are a few possibilities to consider.
Advanced Drone or Technology: There are cutting-edge drone designs, including those created for research or special projects, which may not look like traditional drones we’re familiar with. The lack of visible hardware (like propellers or cameras) could suggest a very advanced piece of technology, possibly experimental.
Misinterpretation of an Object: Sometimes, environmental factors or lighting can create the illusion of an unusual object. Reflections, shadows, or even nearby structures can distort the appearance of an object in the sky.
Optical Illusions: The way your mom and brother described how the object seemed to change shape could also point to an optical illusion, particularly as it moved away and perspective changed.
UAP/UFO Phenomenon: If they truly observed something that defies conventional explanations, it could fall into the category of unidentified aerial phenomena. Many people have reported similar experiences, and it can often spark thoughts on extraterrestrial or paranormal explanations.
Given the uniqueness of their experience and their collective testimony, it makes sense why they’re keen to understand it better. It might be worth trying to connect with local UFO research organizations or online communities that specialize in this kind of research—they often have resources or individuals who might have seen similar things or could provide more context.
Lastly, if they ever see something like it again, encouraging them to use their phones immediately (even just to record the surroundings) could help document future sightings. It’s not always easy to think straight in such moments, but having a record could provide valuable insights. Thank you for sharing this story; it’s a reminder of how much we still have to learn about the world around us!