On September 12, 1952, Kathleen May was at her home in Flatwoods when she observed a bright object crossing the sky and apparently landing on a nearby hill. Accompanied by six local boys, including her sons Eddie and Freddie, May went to investigate. The group reported encountering a tall, humanoid creature approximately 10 feet tall with a glowing red face and a dark, metallic‑looking body.

According to May's testimony, the creature made a hissing sound and emitted a strong, acrid odor that caused nausea and vomiting among the witnesses. The group fled in terror and reported the encounter to local authorities, sparking a media sensation that dubbed the entity the "Flatwoods Monster" or "Braxton County Monster."

May's account, combined with those of the young witnesses, formed the basis of one of the most famous creature encounter cases in U.S. history.

Kathleen May was a resident of Flatwoods, West Virginia, at the time of the 1952 incident. She was the mother of two of the young witnesses, Eddie and Freddie May. Investigators described her as a credible, sincere witness with no history of sensational claims.

May participated in interviews with local law enforcement, reporters, and later with researchers investigating the case. Her consistent testimony across multiple interviews contributed to the case's documentation.

The Flatwoods Monster case remains one of the most famous creature encounter reports in American folklore and UAP research. Investigators have noted the sincerity of the witnesses, including Kathleen May, and the consistency of their accounts despite their young ages and the traumatic nature of the experience.

Skeptical analyses have proposed various alternative explanations, including misidentification of a barn owl (which can appear large and menacing in low light), atmospheric phenomena such as ball lightning, or group hysteria fueled by Cold War anxieties. Some researchers suggest the witnesses may have encountered a test of military equipment or a meteorological balloon.

Proponents argue that the multiple independent witness accounts, physical effects (nausea, odor), and the correlation with an observed aerial object distinguish the case from simple misidentification. The Flatwoods Monster continues to be cited in discussions of creature encounters associated with UAP phenomena.

Kathleen May's testimony helped establish the Flatwoods Monster as a cultural icon in American folklore. The case has been featured in numerous books, television documentaries, and media accounts, making it one of the most recognizable creature encounter stories of the 20th century.

The Flatwoods Monster incident continues to attract tourists and researchers to Braxton County, West Virginia, and remains a subject of study for those interested in the intersection of folklore, psychology, and anomalous phenomena.