The Sharon Stull Case: Unexplained Growth After UFO Encounter - Paranormal Mystery From 1964
In the spring of 1964, a young student experienced a strange encounter on her school playground that would lead to a series of rapid and puzzling physical changes. After noticing an unusual egg-shaped object in the sky, she suffered from severe eye irritation and facial burns—a response that confused both her teachers and medical professionals. Despite conventional explanations falling short, her condition continued to worsen, and within just a month, she had grown several inches and gained significant weight, far exceeding typical childhood growth rates.
Such incidents challenge the boundaries of ordinary medical understanding and open the door to deeper discussions about unusual phenomena. Similar reports, though rare, have surfaced over the years, involving dramatic physical alterations linked with unidentified aerial encounters. These cases often leave both witnesses and investigators with more questions than answers, highlighting the need for continued exploration into these unusual and unsettling events.
Key Takeaways
A schoolyard UFO sighting led to rapid physical changes in a young girl.
There have been other rare cases of unusual size alterations after UFO encounters.
Many aspects of these events remain unexplained and continue to provoke ongoing investigation.
The Sharon Stone Incident
Unusual Object Seen Above Lowell School in April 1964
On April 29, 1964, ten-year-old Sharon, along with her younger sister and a classmate, spotted an unusual egg-like object in the sky while on their lunch break at Lowell School. The object hovered above the elementary school, but other children in the yard seemed unaware of it. While the others lost interest, Sharon continued to watch the object for several more minutes.
Early Health Problems and Medical Attention
Soon after watching the object, Sharon began suffering from a burning sensation in her eyes. Despite repeated attempts to wash her eyes, the irritation worsened. Her teacher sent her to the school doctor, who, after a quick evaluation, recommended immediate hospital care due to Sharon's inflamed and discolored face. At the hospital, doctors instructed her to avoid sunlight, and her mother was told to keep the room darkened to protect Sharon’s sensitive eyes and skin.
Symptom Initial Response Hospital Recommendation Burning, red eyes Teacher excused for bathroom Avoid sunlight, keep blinds closed Puffy, discolored face Sent to school doctor and mother Further tests and protection from light
Rapid Growth and Changes in Maturity
Within a month of the UFO sighting, Sharon’s family noticed startling physical and behavioral changes. She reportedly grew five inches and gained 25 pounds in about four weeks, much more than expected for a child her age. Besides outgrowing all her clothes, Sharon began acting more mature, taking on household chores and caring for younger children, a significant shift from her previous habits.
Physical Changes:
Height: From 4'8" to 5'2"
Weight: From 85 lbs to 110 lbs
Outgrowing clothes and shoes rapidly
Behavioral Changes:
Started cooking meals
Managed household chores
Cared for younger siblings
Reactions from News Outlets and the Medical Community
Local media followed up on Sharon’s case, with her mother confirming the timeline and developments. The family expressed confusion and concern, noting the extraordinary speed of Sharon’s transformation. While doctors could not offer a solid explanation, the report of a UFO sighting was not taken seriously by medical professionals, who found no regular explanation for Sharon’s symptoms based on sun exposure alone. Publications and authors later highlighted the case due to its unusual combination of health effects and rapid growth following a UFO encounter.
Investigating Unusual Physical Transformations
Evaluating Differences from Typical Childhood Growth
In routine childhood development, height and weight increases are steady and predictable. Most children grow approximately 2.5 inches and gain a modest amount of weight annually. By contrast, the subject experienced a height increase of 5 inches and a weight gain of 25 pounds in just one month.
Growth Measure Typical Child (Yearly) Subject (30 Days) Height 2.5 inches 5 inches Weight Variable, modest 25 pounds
Such a rapid pace of change is far beyond expectations for healthy children, leading to questions about the possible factors behind it. The changes in appearance and physical maturity were also evident, with the subject outgrowing clothing and taking on adult responsibilities at home within a very short span.
Medical Opinions and Areas of Uncertainty
Doctors involved in the subject's case assessed her symptoms, which included facial burns, puffiness, and changes in skin color. While they tended to dismiss the account of an unusual object in the sky as a possible cause, there remained uncertainty about what triggered the dramatic changes.
One notable limitation was that there was no straightforward medical explanation for the accelerated growth and burning sensation. The doctors compared the exposure to sunlight that day to standard conditions and found it unlikely to be the sole factor behind the injuries. These gaps in medical understanding resulted in confusion for both caregivers and medical professionals.
In addition, other cases of rapid physical change following strange encounters have been reported, although such incidents are rare. Some individuals described unexpected decreases in height and size after witnessing unexplained phenomena, with follow-up medical checks ruling out obvious causes. These unusual situations further challenge conventional medical theory, leaving room for ongoing debate and investigation.
Comparable Incidents of Size Change After UFO Sightings
The Minnesota Account Involving Timothy
In the late 1990s, Timothy and three others encountered a luminous UFO while heading home after work in Minnesota. The group decided to investigate the object near a wharf, observing a sudden and dramatic shift from daylight to nighttime. When they finally returned home, family members were shocked to learn that two days had passed, despite their own perception that much less time had elapsed.
Key Details:
Number of witnesses: 4 (Timothy, his brother, two coworkers)
Location: Minnesota, late 1990s
Initial observation: Bright, glowing object; unexpected nightfall
Time lost: Two days unaccounted for
Missing Hours and Sudden Loss of Height
After their return, each member of the group experienced rapid and unexplained physical changes. Timothy, previously 5'11", measured only 5'9", and the others experienced similar reductions in height and overall size. Medical examinations did not reveal any removal of bone or readily apparent cause for these changes.
Name Height Before Height After Timothy 5'11" 5'9" Brother Similar loss - Wally Shortened - Jane Shortened -
Doctors, friends, and family expressed disbelief at the alteration, but the measurements were confirmed at medical facilities.
Impact on Daily Life and Mental Health
The aftermath of the incident created significant upheaval. Wally’s family was so disturbed by the sudden transformation that they decided to move out of the area altogether. Timothy recounted two unsettling visits from individuals identifying themselves as UFO investigators, who implied insider knowledge about his case. Such visits contributed to ongoing fear and confusion among the witnesses and their families.
Reactions:
Emotional distress: Shock and concern among family and friends
Behavioral changes: Wally’s family relocating
External attention: Visits from men claiming to be UFO researchers
These cases remain rare and perplexing, with size alteration following UFO encounters seldom reported compared to other physical effects.
Uncommon Outcomes and Widespread UFO Experiences
Unexplained Physical Effects After Encounters
Some individuals have reported immediate physical symptoms after witnessing unidentified aerial objects. For example, one case involved severe eye irritation and noticeable facial swelling following a brief sighting of a hovering object near a school. Doctors described the reaction as unusual, with signs resembling burns despite minimal sunlight exposure.
Reported symptoms include:
Redness and swelling of the face
Sensitivity to light
Treatment involved shielding the affected person from sunlight and keeping indoor blinds drawn for protection.
Isolated Reports of Sudden Physical Change
In rarer situations, witnesses have experienced striking bodily changes after UFO encounters. One young person reportedly grew five inches and gained 25 pounds within just a month of their sighting, far exceeding typical childhood growth rates. This rapid development was accompanied by a noticeable shift in maturity and behavior, as observed by family members.
On the opposite end, several adults described an abrupt decrease in height—measured directly by hospital staff—after a shared encounter. Four individuals found themselves physically smaller after an episode that also involved missing time and unexplainable environmental changes, such as a sudden shift from day to night.
Case Effect Duration Medical Confirmation Youth Height/weight increase 1 month Measured Adults Height/size decrease Instant/2 days Measured
Considerations for Human Perception and Response
These rare but documented cases push the boundaries of what is accepted about human physical response to extraordinary events. Families and witnesses have struggled to reconcile such rapid shifts in health and development with everyday medical understanding. Encounters sometimes prompt drastic life changes, such as sudden decisions to relocate, and may involve mysterious visitors after the incident.
The lasting psychological and social effects of these events can be as significant as the physical symptoms. The absence of a definite medical explanation highlights the ongoing need for careful investigation and documentation within this field.
Interactions with Unexplained Investigators
Claims from Individuals with Insider Information
After the unusual events, Timothy recounted being approached by two unidentified men. These visitors stated they possessed knowledge about Timothy that exceeded what he knew about himself. This unsettling remark left a lasting impression and heightened the mystery surrounding the incident.
Key details:
The visits occurred twice, both times unexpected.
The men identified themselves as UFO investigators.
Their statements implied access to personal or confidential information.
Encounter Detail Description Number of Visits Two Investigators' Claim "We know more about you than you know about yourself." Response Timothy reported feeling unnerved and unsettled.
Local Responses and Decisions to Move Away
Wally's family, directly affected by the aftermath of the event, chose to leave the area. Their decision appeared to be driven by shock and concern for their well-being. Timothy speculated that interactions with the mysterious investigators may have influenced this move, though it was not confirmed.
Reactions among those involved included disbelief and anxiety.
Wally's father led the relocation, possibly out of fear following the investigators' visits.
The family's abrupt departure served as a signal to others in the community, underscoring the lasting impact of the incident.
Summary and Unanswered Issues
The accounts described include unusual physical reactions and changes after reported encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena. Documented effects range from acute eye irritation and facial burns to rapid growth spurts and, in another case, a significant reduction in height. Medical professionals struggled to offer conventional explanations for these events.
Notable Observations:
Eye inflammation and facial discoloration
Sudden, atypical changes in height and weight
Alterations in behavior and maturity level
Reports of time loss and unexplained absence
Despite medical assessments, direct links between these extraordinary physical transformations and the sightings remain undetermined. The following unresolved points merit further investigation:
Open Questions Details Cause of Reactions What mechanisms could cause such rapid physical changes? Rarity of Instances Are similar cases underreported or simply not occurring? Psychological Impact How do these experiences affect witnesses long-term? Authority Involvement Why do reports sometimes coincide with visits from unidentified individuals claiming official status?
Further inquiry is necessary to address these gaps in understanding and to distinguish between coincidence and correlation in these rare, puzzling cases.