Episode 499: The Abduction of Betty and Barney Hill
Oct 2, 2023
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Betty and Barney Hill's abduction by beings not of this world, their encounter with a UFO on their drive home, the media attention their story gained, and a discussion on aliens and open-mindedness.
59:44
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Quick takeaways
The hypnosis sessions with Dr. Simon provided further evidence of the authenticity of Betty and Barney Hill's abduction experience.
Betty and Barney Hill maintained a therapeutic relationship with Dr. Simon, emphasizing his focus on providing support rather than promoting UFO theories.
Barney Hill's contributions to civil rights and community work were overshadowed by media coverage, while Betty pursued genealogy as a new hobby.
Deep dives
Betty and Barney Hill's Abduction Experience
Betty and Barney Hill, an interracial couple, experienced a terrifying encounter with a UFO during their trip from Niagara Falls to Montreal. As they drove along the highway, they witnessed a large object in the sky that began following them. Feeling anxious and alarmed, they stopped the car to get a closer look. They observed humanoid creatures in the windows of the object, and Barney even saw what he believed to be the leader of the beings. After a period of missing time, the couple found themselves back on the road, feeling a desperate need to be around other people. Under hypnosis, both Betty and Barney recounted being taken aboard the craft, undergoing various examinations, and having communication through a series of hums. Through hypnosis, their descriptions of the encounter were consistent and showed genuine fear and distress. Their story has gained significant attention in the UFO community and continues to be a subject of interest and speculation.
Dr. Simon's Hypnosis Sessions
Dr. Simon, a neuropsychiatrist, conducted intense hypnosis sessions with Betty and Barney Hill to uncover the memories of their abduction experience. Through hypnosis, both Betty and Barney provided detailed accounts of the events they experienced during the encounter. While there were some insignificant differences in their recollections, these could be attributed to individual perspectives and priorities. Dr. Simon emphasized that hypnosis is a pathway to a patient's truth, as they perceive and understand it. The sessions with Dr. Simon provided further evidence of the Hills' genuine reactions and emotions towards the event, affirming the authenticity of their experiences.
Continued Relationship with Dr. Simon and Legacy
Following the hypnosis sessions, Betty and Barney Hill maintained a therapeutic relationship with Dr. Simon and stayed in correspondence with him for many years. Dr. Simon remained committed to helping Barney cope with his stress symptoms, and his interest was primarily focused on providing therapeutic support rather than promoting UFO-related theories. The Hills' story has been extensively documented and has captivated the interest of the public, as it offers a unique and compelling account of a UFO abduction experience. Their encounter continues to be discussed and analyzed within the UFO community.
Betty and Barney Hill's Abduction Experience
Betty and Barney Hill recount their abduction experience during a private event. They describe encountering a UFO, seeing humanoid figures, and experiencing missing time. The incident is reported to Project Blue Book, but Barney feels embarrassed and wants to keep it private. Betty, however, seeks validation and tells her sister. They consult a physicist who advises them to report the incident to the Peace Air Force Base. Betty conducts an experiment with a compass and observes unusual behavior near the car. She later calls the Air Force base to report the experience. Major Paul Henderson takes detailed notes and submits the report to Project Blue Book. The Hills face unexpected publicity when their story is published without their consent, leading them to share their experience publicly and become involved in the UFO community.
Barney Hill's Legacy and Betty's Pursuit of Answers
Barney Hill's sudden death and the subsequent media coverage focus primarily on the UFO incident, overshadowing his contributions to civil rights and community work. Betty continues to investigate and speak at conferences while holding a full-time job as a social worker. Despite facing intense media attention, she transitions to a new hobby of family genealogy. Betty eventually passes away from lung cancer, leaving a legacy as both a figure in the UFO community and a champion for civil rights.
In the fall of 1961, Betty and Barney Hill took a trip to Niagara Falls. On the drive back from Canada to their home in Portsmouth, NH, the Hills claimed their trip was interrupted when, after stopping to investigate a strange flying object hovering above the car, the couple was abducted by what Barney later described as “beings [that] were somehow not human.”
Thank you to the wondrous Dave White for Research Assistance!
References:
Friedman, Stanton, and Kathleen Marden. 2007. Captured! The Betty and Barney Hill UFO Experience. Red Wheel : Newburyport, MA.