YEAR: 1978

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: July

DATE: unknown

STATE: New Jersey

COUNTY: Ocean County

LOCATION DETAILS: I was taking a road home from my father in laws home after picking up my son from a summer vacation. It was right after we paid a toll (I think) and he lived in Brick Township or Pt. Pleasant at that time. It was the Garden State Parkway we were getting on, but it was 25 years ago so the roads may have changed some since then. But I know it was by an area called the Great Pines forest or something like that.

NEAREST TOWN: Pt. Pleasant or Brick Township, New Jersey

NEAREST ROAD: A toll road by the Garden State Parkway

OBSERVED: About 25 years ago I was with my husband returning to our home in northern New Jersey from a trip to the Jersey shore. We were just entering the Garden State parkway, and just went through a toll booth down by the Brick Township/Pt. Pleasant area of the shore, when we decided to trade seats so my husband could drive. I pulled the car over to the side of a deserted section of highway, and got out to walk around the car. My husband also got out. About 8-10 feet from the car was a wire fence surrounding what I believe is called the Great Pine Forest (or a name similar to that)when I saw 2 red eyes glaring out at me from what I believe was just behind the fence. The creature was growling and was definitely standing upright and was taller than me.

The atmosphere was filled with a heavy feeling of danger. I was under the distinct impression that this creature was malevolent and wanted to harm me. I truly cannot remember if he was on my side or the other side of the fence however I remember thinking this thing is going to lunge for me and so I think he might have been on my side because I didn't feel any protection between me and him. I got the distinct impression it was not a bear or any type of known animal because of the red eyes and the way he stood upright like a man and the evil vibe he emitted - I remember feeling as though he could understand my thoughts! My husband also saw and heard the creature and also felt the same evil presence. We both ran to the car jumped in and sped off, with the creepiest feeling we have ever experienced. Of course, I have heard of the "Jersey devil" stories but I'm not sure if that is the same as "Bigfoot". However this thing was definitely big, hairy and some sort of a beast, so,what do you think? Creepy, huh?

ALSO NOTICED: We took off so fast! All I know was that I heard low, sustained growling at the time of the incident.

OTHER WITNESSES: My husband was with me and also expereinced and saw everything I did.

OTHER STORIES: No one ever told me they ever saw anything like this, however there are alot of folklore tales in New Jersey about the "Jersey devil". I think it has been seen in the Pine forest before.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: It was late at night probably between 9-midnight. It was very dark, no lights except from the highway but this section of the higway was deserted and there were very few lights around at that time. It was a warm summer night.

ENVIRONMENT: It was a pine forest that was close to the road. There was a fence of some sort, wire about 5 feet or 6 feet high.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Paul Kotch :

I spoke with this witness by phone. She confirmed that the creature was approximately 6'4" tall based on her height of 5' 7". Based on the form of the animal she could confirm that it stood on two legs, and was presumed to be covered in fur as the form was very dark with the exception of the eyes.

The area that she was traveling in is just north of a vast stretch of wilderness in New Jersey known as the Pine Barrens. Stories have been coming out of this area for hundreds of years regarding the "Jersey Devil" and other strange happenings. This particular area has seen some significant development over the course of the last fifteen years, but at the time of the reported encounter there were large pockets of woods that could have provided a creature to travel to and from the larger tract of wilderness to the south.

The witnessed stressed a strong sense of foreboding, and described a strong sense that the creature was communicating with her telepathically - telling her and her husband that they should leave. Her and her husband felt threatened.

About BFRO Investigator Paul Kotch :

Paul Kotch grew up in Central New Jersey, where he was employed in the Bio-tech industry and served as a volunteer for the NJ Dept Of Fish and Game. He became interested in the Sasquatch phenomenon as a child in the 70's after seeing an episode of "In Search Of" hosted by Leonard Nimoy. He attended his first expedition in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and joined the BFRO after attending his second expedition the following year. Paul relocated to South West Florida in early 2014 to pursue a writing career. He lives with his wife and two dogs.

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