Monsters Among Us: Episode S19 Ep11 – "Pitch-Black Predators: Alien Big Cats"

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction

In this spine-tingling episode of Monsters Among Us, host Derek Hayes delves deep into the enigmatic world of Alien Big Cats (ABCs) — mysterious, large black felines reported across various regions in the United States. Hayes sets the stage by sharing his personal journey into the paranormal, rooted in a childhood encounter with a massive black panther-like creature in Ohio. This episode compiles first-hand accounts from listeners who have experienced unsettling sightings of these phantom predators, exploring the possible existence and behaviors of these elusive beings.

Chris from Texas: A Lone Sighting in Vast Lands [04:59]

Chris Graham recounts his 2020 encounter while delivering seeds to a Texas ranch. Upon arrival, he witnesses multiple ranch hands arming themselves after spotting a "giant solid black cat" racing through their property. Although the ranch is home to mountain lions, the sheer size and demeanor of the creature left Chris and the ranchers fearful.

Notable Quote:
Chris: “It was just a giant solid black cat. And I didn't see it, I didn't hear it, but they had all seen it” ([04:59]).

Derek Hayes notes that Texas has historical ties to jaguar populations, particularly their melanistic (black) variants, suggesting a plausible explanation for this sighting.

Lane from South Carolina: Double Trouble on Friday the 13th [10:18]

Lane shares a distressing experience from Prosperity, South Carolina, where she and her mother encountered two unusually large black cats crossing the road. Despite native bobcats in the region, the size and physical characteristics of the animals led Lane to believe they were encountering ABCs.

Notable Quote:
Lane: “There were two big black cats that just ran across the road” ([10:18]).

Hayes highlights the rarity of double sightings and hints at the possibility of ABCs reproducing, adding another layer of mystery to their existence.

Chloe from Tennessee: A Tragic Encounter [14:14]

Chloe narrates a harrowing encounter from her youth near Nashville, Tennessee. After sheltering two stray kittens, Chloe witnesses a large black cat attack one of them, resulting in severe injury. Her mother later reports seeing a similarly massive black cat years later, suggesting possible familial ties among these predators.

Notable Quote:
Chloe: “This was a powerful cat and unfortunately had to put down the kitten” ([14:14]).

Derek reflects on the implications of such attacks, questioning whether ABCs might be breeding and becoming a recurrent threat.

Gavin from Louisiana: Generational Sightings [22:26]

Gavin recounts his grandmother’s encounter in the late 1970s, where she observed a large black cat leaping across a two-lane road. This sighting parallels Derek’s uncle’s similar experience in Ohio during the early 1970s, suggesting a potential pattern of ABC sightings across states and generations.

Notable Quote:
Gavin: “She saw a very large cat… it looked exactly like that” ([22:26]).

Hayes emphasizes the significance of historical sightings in understanding the distribution and persistence of ABCs.

Brian from Ohio: Childhood Memory Revisited [26:56]

Brian Mullaney shares a childhood memory from Ohio, where he and his family spotted an unusually large, dark brown cat resembling a cougar. Despite extensive research revealing no native mountain lion populations in Ohio, the incident left a lasting impression on Brian, mirroring Hayes’s own early experiences.

Notable Quote:
Brian: “It was a solid dark color… larger than a normal bobcat” ([26:56]).

Derek connects this story to his own Ohioan heritage, reinforcing the notion that ABC sightings may be more widespread than officially acknowledged.

Anonymous Caller from Missouri: Rare Encounters [36:57]

An anonymous caller from Missouri discusses recent and past sightings of mountain lions and black bears in the state, highlighting the state's reluctance to officially acknowledge these animals’ presence despite numerous reports.

Notable Quote:
Caller: “Black cats could be out there and stuff like that” ([36:57]).

Derek provides statistical context, noting that while mountain lion sightings do occur in Missouri, confirmed cases are exceedingly rare, accounting for less than 1% of reported sightings since the inception of the Large Carnivore Response Team in 1996.

Nora from Tennessee: Dual Encounters with Predators [41:27]

Nora Gower recounts two eerie encounters in Rock Island, Tennessee. The first involves spotting a large black cat with glowing yellow eyes during early morning drives, followed by an unsettling encounter with a gray wolf-like creature later on the same road.

Notable Quote:
Nora: “I couldn't believe I had seen it. I thought almost I was imagining it” ([41:27]).

Derek discusses the resurgence of red wolves in Tennessee and explores whether these sightings could involve interactions between ABCs and reintroduced wolf populations.

Hannah from Oregon: Daylight Mystery [46:24]

Photographer Hannah describes a daylight sighting in southern Oregon, where she observed a dark silhouette resembling a medium-sized dog with distinct feline features, including a long, furry tail. Despite her expertise in local wildlife, Hannah couldn't identify the creature, suspecting it might be a cougar despite the atypical dark coloration.

Notable Quote:
Hannah: “I thought it would be a cougar, but I know cougars don't have that kind of dark fur” ([46:24]).

Hayes underscores the perplexing nature of such sightings, especially when they deviate from known animal characteristics.

Bill from Alabama: An Old Encounter [51:10]

Bill shares a story from 1978 in central Florida, where he and his family encountered a black panther-like cat in their wooded backyard. The terrifying encounter resulted in Bill’s father being injured by the creature, which was never fully explained despite multiple witnesses affirming its presence.

Notable Quote:
Bill: “The cat had took a chunk out of the top of his head” ([51:10]).

Derek emphasizes the enduring nature of such reports, suggesting that ABCs have been a part of regional folklore for decades.

TJ from Alabama: Midnight Fear [57:02]

TJ discusses a chilling nighttime encounter in Salem, Alabama, where he faced a towering black cat while attempting to track a wounded deer. His encounter was compounded by the presence of local dogs that chased the mysterious creature, ultimately fading into the woods without revealing its true nature.

Notable Quote:
TJ: “I just froze... I didn't know what else to do” ([57:02]).

Hayes reflects on the vulnerability of individuals encountering ABCs and the critical role pets sometimes play in these incidents.

Josh from Alabama: A Hunter’s Tale [59:53]

Josh, an avid hunter from northwest Alabama, narrates his experience of spotting an enormous black cat while searching for a misshapen buck he believed he had wounded. The creature’s distinctive features and silent demeanor led Josh to confidently identify it as an ABC.

Notable Quote:
Josh: “I just do not know of any other animals that live in the state of Alabama that, you know, I would have mistaken this big black cat to be” ([59:53]).

Derek reiterates the recurring theme of ABC sightings across Alabama, bolstered by historical accounts and physical evidence.

Host’s Reflections and Concluding Insights

Derek Hayes wraps up the episode by sharing his formative experience with a mysterious black panther in Ohio, which ignited his passion for cryptozoology. He connects the dots between the various sightings, both contemporary and historical, across multiple states, suggesting a persistent yet elusive presence of ABCs in the wild. Hayes references data from the Eastern Puma Research Network, highlighting states with significant sighting reports and discussing potential explanations for these phenomena, including the presence of exotic pets or natural populations.

Notable Quote:
Derek Hayes: “What’s more wild than an unknown, monstrous big black cat?” ([66:09]).

He encourages listeners to submit their own stories and expresses gratitude for the shared experiences, reinforcing the community-driven nature of the podcast.

Conclusion

This episode of Monsters Among Us offers a compelling exploration of Alien Big Cats through diverse and personal narratives. By compiling these first-hand accounts, Derek Hayes not only highlights the widespread nature of these sightings but also underscores the mystery and intrigue that surround these enigmatic predators. Whether skeptics or believers, listeners are left pondering the existence of these shadowy figures prowling the American wilderness.

Notable Resource Mentioned:

• Shadow the Black Panthers of North America by Michael Mays: Derek references this book, detailing the capture of a jaguarundi in Alabama, which provides critical insight into the possible origins of ABC sightings.

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Note: All timestamps correspond to the original transcript for reference.