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Frank Edwards

News commentator and UFO author who died on the 20th anniversary of the Kenneth Arnold sighting, after threats predicted his death at a UFO congress.

FieldDetails
Full NameFrank Allyn Edwards
BornMay 4, 1908
DiedJune 23, 1967
Age at Death59
Location of DeathIndianapolis, Indiana
Cause of DeathHeart attack
Official RulingNatural causes
CategoryJournalist / UFO Researcher / Author

Assessment: SUSPICIOUS

The suspicious elements are the prediction of his death — Gray Barker received two letters and a phone call stating that Edwards would die during the Congress of Scientific Ufologists — and the symbolic timing on the anniversary of the Arnold sighting. Additionally, some accounts claim Edwards showed no typical heart attack symptoms. However, heart attacks in 59-year-old men are not uncommon, and no direct evidence of foul play has been established.

Circumstances of Death

Frank Edwards died on June 23, 1967, at his home in Indianapolis, Indiana. His death was announced at the Congress of Scientific Ufologists, which was being held at the time.

According to researcher T. Allen Greenfield, Edwards suddenly turned to his wife and said, "I have the strangest feeling," before collapsing. He was pronounced dead of a heart attack.

Prior to the congress, UFO researcher Gray Barker reportedly received two letters and a phone call warning that "Frank Edwards would not be alive by the conference's end." This prediction — made before the event — has been cited by UFO researchers as evidence of premeditation.

The date of his death has been a subject of some confusion. Some sources place it on June 24, 1967 — exactly 20 years after Kenneth Arnold's landmark UFO sighting over Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947. However, other sources record the date as June 23. The coincidence of the date (whichever is correct) has added to the mythology surrounding the case.

Background

Frank Edwards was one of America's most popular radio commentators during the 1950s and 1960s, broadcasting on the Mutual Broadcasting System. He regularly discussed UFO sightings on his radio program, reaching millions of listeners.

In 1954, Edwards was fired from his radio position, allegedly due to pressure from the U.S. Air Force or his sponsor (the AFL-CIO) over his UFO reporting. He continued writing and lecturing about UFOs.

His 1966 book Flying Saucers: Serious Business became a bestseller and brought UFO research to mainstream audiences. The book argued that the government was covering up evidence of extraterrestrial visitation.

Edwards had reportedly received threats related to his UFO broadcasts and writings over the years, but continued his work undeterred.

Why This Death Possibly Raises Questions

  • Gray Barker received specific warnings — two letters and a phone call — that Edwards would die during the UFO congress, and he did
  • The timing on or near the 20th anniversary of the Kenneth Arnold sighting seems either deeply coincidental or deliberately symbolic
  • Edwards had reportedly received threats over his UFO work for years
  • Some accounts claim he lacked typical symptoms associated with a heart attack before his collapse
  • However, heart attacks in men approaching 60 are medically common
  • No autopsy results or toxicology reports have been publicly cited that would indicate foul play
  • Otto Binder and John Keel both noted the pattern of deaths coinciding with June 24

Key Quotes from Media Coverage

"Prior to the 1967 Congress of Scientific Ufologists, Gray Barker received two letters and a phone call saying that Frank Edwards 'would die during the convention.'" — Podcast UFO

Edwards suddenly turned to his wife and said, "I have the strangest feeling," before collapsing dead. — Attributed to T. Allen Greenfield

See Also

  • Morris Jessup — UFO author who died under disputed circumstances in 1959
  • James McDonald — UFO researcher who died in 1971
  • Frank Scully — Earlier UFO author who also died on June 24 (1964)

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Sources

This information was built by Grok and Claude AI research.