Sasquatch Chronicles — SC EP:1164 "This Thing Made Eye Contact with Me"
Date: June 22, 2025
Host: Wes
Guest: Gabriel (Massachusetts Witness)
Episode Overview
On this episode of Sasquatch Chronicles, Wes is joined by Gabriel, an HVAC technician from Massachusetts, who recounts a chilling encounter with a possible Sasquatch while on a call in a remote, wooded area. The episode delves deeply into the events of that night, Gabriel's raw emotional reactions, the lasting impact the experience has had on his life, and broader reflections on the phenomenon.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Gabriel’s Background and Setting the Scene
- Gabriel works in HVAC and was relatively new to rural, wooded areas.
- The encounter took place in winter (January/February) in western Massachusetts, near the Vermont border (03:25).
- He was at an elderly woman’s house with his co-worker, Ron, on a long and remote driveway surrounded by fruit trees (03:45).
- The house was old, with a dirt-floor basement and heavily wooded surroundings.
2. The Encounter: Step by Step
Preparations Before the Incident
- Ron stepped out to take a smoke and use the restroom, leaving Gabriel alone in the work van (11:50).
- While Gabriel waited in the dark van, he sensed a faint breathing sound and a subtle tap on the metal door (15:00).
The Eye Contact
- Gabriel describes a black, hunched figure at the partially open van door. The window glass was "exaggeratingly blurred," so details were indistinct, but the sheer size was striking (17:00).
- "I see this black figure, very, very dark figure there. And I kind of freeze for a second... I just know that what I am looking at is dark. Very, very dark, very tall." — Gabriel (17:15)
- He noticed a massive, black eye staring back at him at an unnatural height, estimating the figure would have to be at least seven or seven and a half feet tall to be at eye level with him sitting in the van (18:15).
The Eye Glow & Departure
- Suddenly, the creature's eye appeared to "glow" or reflect, possibly from Ron’s headlamp as he approached (23:05).
- At the same time, the basement boiler fired up with a loud boom, after which the creature turned and disappeared rapidly; Gabriel heard three heavy thumps as it left (24:25).
- "I heard three boom, boom, boom, like that." — Gabriel (24:40)
Gabriel's Immediate Aftermath
- Ron returned, unaware of what happened, and made light of Gabriel’s fear (26:50).
- Gabriel questioned the homeowner about bears; she reassured him, "All the animals up here are friendly" (27:55).
- Gabriel felt unsettled by the homeowner’s calm attitude and lack of surprise (40:01).
3. Processing the Event & Emotional Impact
Descriptions of the Creature
- Estimated height: 8–8.5 feet, with a build that was big but not “refrigerator size” (38:23).
- Notable features: black skin or “a layer of something after the skin,” pitch-black oval eyes that appeared almost human yet alien (30:02, 44:59).
- Did not vocalize; only heavy, short breathing was heard, which ceased when they made eye contact (33:49).
Gabriel's Reaction
- Experienced intense fear, feeling paralyzed during the eye contact (31:47).
- Described a “demonic” presence due to the unfamiliarity and intensity of the encounter (46:18).
Ongoing Effects
- Gabriel has nightmares and anxiety about wooded areas, to the extent that he moved to Boston to distance himself from similar environments (41:40, 51:35).
- Avoids rural, wooded jobs and struggles with lingering trauma (53:33).
4. Reflections on Sasquatch
Changes in Belief
- Gabriel was already open to the possibility of Sasquatch prior and found the volume of reports persuasive (42:52).
- After his experience, he feels the creatures are "flesh and blood," not purely spiritual or supernatural, though he acknowledges the uncanny and disturbing qualities ("uncanny valley") (47:18).
What Was Its Intention?
- Gabriel suspects the creature was as surprised as he was and believes it did not intend harm, particularly as it was startled by the boiler's noise (35:01).
- "I think it was surprised I was there... I think that the initial thing that kind of made this thing dash away is the boom coming from the basement." — Gabriel (36:36)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“They don’t make people that big.”
— Gabriel (00:03)
“We were just locked eyes... It feels like minutes passed by. And I know this whole thing happened within maybe about five to ten seconds.”
— Gabriel (19:40, 31:30)
"Honestly, my first thought went to, like, some sort of demon…"
— Gabriel (22:30)
"I think she kind of knew why I was asking. And I think because she was so fast to switch up the conversation after that… I don't know if she wanted to..."
— Gabriel on the homeowner’s reaction (40:01)
“No, not at all. I got, I...especially with how, with how quiet and almost, I want to say these eyes looked human, but they were just so black and they definitely were not human.”
— Gabriel on whether it looked like an animal (44:59)
“I wish I had some sort of proof because… I felt like I was going crazy. And I wish I had some sort of evidence to show that I wasn't…”
— Gabriel (48:38)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Encounter Begins: 15:00
- Eye Contact & Description: 17:00–22:30
- Eye Glow and Sudden Exit: 23:05–24:40
- Discussion with Ron & Homeowner: 26:50–27:55
- Physical Description & Eye Details: 30:02, 38:23–39:49
- Reflections on Intention: 35:01–36:36
- Aftermath and Emotional Impact: 41:40–53:33
- Beliefs and Final Takeaways: 42:52, 47:18–48:38
- Closing Thoughts: 56:43
Tone and Atmosphere
Gabriel’s account is marked by palpable fear, honesty, and relatability, with Wes supporting and validating his experience. The conversation maintains a respectful and empathetic tone, offering both a space for catharsis and insight into the enduring effects such encounters can have.
Conclusion
Gabriel’s story stands out due to its vivid detail, emotional honesty, and the unusual element of direct, prolonged eye contact with the creature. The episode offers listeners both a gripping firsthand account and a thoughtful exploration of the psychological impact and wider cultural implications of Sasquatch sightings. Wes provides gentle guidance throughout, emphasizing that those who experience these encounters are not alone.