• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
People got sick after 'Jell-O like substance' fell from sky in Washington city

Home> News> US News

Updated 18:26 28 Jul 2024 GMT+1Published 18:14 28 Jul 2024 GMT+1

People got sick after 'Jell-O like substance' fell from sky in Washington city

Oakville residents were left baffled by the bizarre substance

Joe Yates

Joe Yates

We've all dreamed about jumping into a pool of Jell-O, well that dream came partially came true for some residents in a small city in Washington.

Although they would probably describe it as a nightmare, and there may not have been enough to swim in it.

For this we'll have to hark back thirty years, to August 1994, when an Oakville resident reported to the local authorities that translucent, Jell-O like blobs had rained down over night and covered the ground.

The bizarre occurrence happened back in August 1994. (Getty Stock Image)
The bizarre occurrence happened back in August 1994. (Getty Stock Image)

Advert

Each of these blobs was roughly around half the size of a grain of rice, and she believed whatever it was had caused her and her mom to develop flu-like symptoms.

And the reports kept coming in, although they were staggered over the next three weeks, with five more people picking up the phone to make the local authorities aware of it.

Each person explained there was strange blobs on the floor and many claimed to have gotten sick after they touched it.

It didn't take long for conspiracy theorists to spout their reasoning as to why it happened - including some suggesting it was to do with classified weapon testing from the US Military, although there was no evidence to support this idea.

Advert

A microbiologist at the Washington State Department of Health examined the blobs under a microscope and discovered that they contained two different types of bacteria, but did not believe the bacteria was harmful or could make you ill just through touch.

Police officer David Lacey was on duty when he began to see the gelatinous substance fall on his windscreen at 3am.

A microbiologist examined the blobs under a microscope and discovered that they contained two different types of bacteria. (Getty Stock Image)
A microbiologist examined the blobs under a microscope and discovered that they contained two different types of bacteria. (Getty Stock Image)

Speaking on the TV show Unsolved Mysteries, he said: “We turned our windshield wipers on and it just started smearing to the point where we could almost not see.”

Advert

While Dotty Hearn, who lived in the area, described it as looking 'like hail laying on top of the wood box and everywhere else'.

So, what was it?

Well, there are theories that the reports married up to the description of 'star jelly', which has been reported since as early as 14th century.

It also goes by the name of 'astral jelly', and even ‘astromyxin’ - and was named after the myth that it falls from the sky during meteor showers.

Advert

The phenomenon remains a mystery to this day, and with all the remaining samples having disappeared, it may be that the Oakville blobs will never truly be explained.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/williamdefalco/Getty Images

Topics: Conspiracy Theories, History, Nature, Science, Weird

Joe Yates
Joe Yates

Joe is a journalist for UNILAD, who particularly enjoys writing about crime. He has worked in journalism for five years, and has covered everything from murder trials to celeb news.

X

@JMYjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Expert reveals 'truth' behind 'underground city' discovered beneath Egypt's pyramids
  • Mysterious object caught on radar above Washington DC has people 'freaking out' over terrifying theories
  • Man could have explained déjà vu after sharing bizarre theory about the afterlife
  • Moon landing deniers given proof we landed on the moon with photographs from five different countries

Choose your content:

5 mins ago
22 mins ago
an hour ago
  • Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
    5 mins ago

    Ben Stiller gives savage three-word response to Jimmy Kimmel's suspension over Charlie Kirk comments

    Jimmy Kimmel made remarks about Donald Trump and Charlie Kirk on his show

    Celebrity
  • Instagram/Erika Kirk
    22 mins ago

    Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika to ‘complete his vision’ as new CEO of Turning Point USA

    Turning Point US made the announcement on social media today

    News
  • Getty Images/Randy Holmes
    an hour ago

    People think resurfaced Trump post shows he 'coordinated effort to silence' Jimmy Kimmel

    Donald Trump has mocked Kimmel after learning his show was suspended

    News
  • CrossExamined/YouTube
    an hour ago

    Friend of Charlie Kirk reveals exactly what happened 'the moment' he was fatally shot

    Kirk was killed by a single bullet to the neck on September 10

    News