My Backyard Abduction: Debra Jordan-Kauble’s Lifelong Contact with the Unknown

In the world of UFO phenomena, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Debra Jordan-Kauble — an ordinary woman whose extraordinary experiences began in childhood and forever altered the course of her life. Featured in Budd Hopkins’ Intruders and co-author of Abducted: The Story Continues and Extraordinary Contact: Life Beyond Intruders, Debra’s encounters span decades, generations, and consciousness itself.

A Lifetime of Anomalies

Debra’s journey into the unknown didn’t start in adulthood — it began when she was just seven years old. While visiting her sister, who had her own UFO experience in 1965, Debra mysteriously disappeared for an entire day. Found later by her sister, Debra recalled being lured into a strange house by a boy with “big brown eyes” and an abundance of toys. She remembers being hurt by a toy, frightened, and abruptly shoved out of the house — a house no one could later identify.

Years later, as a teenager, another disturbing event unfolded. While riding in a car with friends, Debra noticed a strange light in the sky. Moments later, the vehicle was enveloped in black mist. She recalled being pulled out of the car by an invisible force and undergoing a medical examination in a clinical setting. Her memories of that night, fragmented and terrifying, were later partially corroborated by her friend — who refused to discuss the event further.

The Turning Point: June 30, 1983

The most dramatic encounter occurred in the backyard of her Indiana home on June 30, 1983 — an event that would inspire the book Intruders. That night, Debra noticed a strange light coming from the family pump house. Suspicious and uneasy, she decided to investigate. As she approached the garage, she was struck in the chest by a blinding “fist of light” that paralyzed her.

Unable to move or scream, Debra felt as though her body was disintegrating. When the experience ended, she found herself 10–15 feet outside on the cement patio. She saw what she initially thought were children gliding — not walking — toward her from the yard. Nearby stood an egg-shaped craft, resembling the SpaceX Dragon module.

After her mother called her name, Debra was able to move again. But the next day, a strange 8-foot circle and 49-foot streak appeared in the yard — grass flattened and resistant to growth or moisture for years. Budd Hopkins later collected soil samples, which he had to bake at 800°F just to make usable in analysis.

Physical and Psychological Fallout

Debra experienced severe health issues after the event — including eye problems, macular degeneration, hair loss, fingernail damage, and a year-long period of illness. More profoundly, she began recalling not only the events of that night, but others long buried.

These memories were confirmed and explored through extensive evaluations and collaboration with Budd Hopkins and psychiatrist Dr. Aphrodite Clamar. After two years of tests — EEGs, EKGs, psychological evaluations — and multiple interviews, Hopkins was convinced of the validity and significance of her case.

Telepathic Messages and Spiritual Change

During her encounters, Debra reported receiving telepathic messages. One voice told her, “We’re sorry that this hurts you,” and reassured her that her children were safe. She also began receiving dream-like insights about the use of sound and light for healing and transport — concepts she had never previously considered.

Over time, these experiences changed her perspective on humanity and the planet. She came to see life through a more spiritual lens, understanding her trauma as transformative rather than purely terrifying.

Helping Others Heal

Now retired and a great-grandmother, Debra dedicates her time to helping others who have experienced similar events. Through her website DebsHome.com, she offers a safe space for experiencers to share their stories confidentially. Her message is one of empathy and courage: “I want them to see me and know I was in that place of terror… and that they can get through it too.”