The Gary Sudbrink Phonecalls
November 20, 2024
Night
The date was February 8th, 1993 and a man named Gary Sudbrink was on leave from the US Air Force in San Antonio. Gary was staying with his parents in Long Island, New York. He had booked a flight under a guise because he hadn’t notified his commanders that he was leaving the base, which would have caused him to use some of his leave. Instead, he was taking a long weekend at his parents’ home.
Gary Sudbrink from YouTube interview.
Image credit: Paranormal Brew YouTube Channel.
That night, which was a Monday, he had decided to call his old friend, Mike. He wanted to make friends to meet up and rehash old times while he was in Long Island. And this is where things get a little odd.
You see, when Gary phoned up Mike and told him he wanted to get together, Mike informed him that they had already spoken. Gary had called Mike Sunday, the day before. This, of course, struck Gary as odd because he had not, in fact, called Mike on the 7th.
This other Gary told Mike that he had flown into LaGuardia and had been recently ill. the real Gary corrected Mike and said he had actually landed at JFK and had NOT been sick. They spent some time discussing this; Mike insisting the conversation had happened and Gary explaining that it had not.
At around 10:30 another call came in on Gary’s parents’ phone line. This would be the first of what would be known as the Sudbrink Phone Calls.
Strange Occurrences Prior
Some may think that the phone calls were the start of the strangeness. However, there were other incidents which took place before Gary Sudbrink even left Texas.
Back in 1992, Stephen Sudbrink, Gary’s brother was driving to Long Island. He was going to his own wedding.
While driving along the road, he noticed a car speeding up behind him. His confusion turned to relief when he realized it was Gary’s car. Stephen smiled at Gary as Stephen pulled beside him.
Gary then began to make faces at him while driving along and then accelerated and sped ahead. Stephen was confused at his brother’s actions and after the wedding, he asked Gary why he had done what he did on the road.
Gary was confused this time. He had no recollection of the events Stephen was recalling. This made Stephen perturbed, assuming Gary was still playing a joke. Gary was adamant that he had never done anything of the sort.
You see, Gary had flown in the day before. He had never even seen Stephen on the road. The two differed, but let it go.
In 1993, the year of the calls, a man approached Gary at the airport in Texas.
Texas
In 1993, Gary worked on the Air Force base in San Antonio in a pharmacy. In February he noticed he would have several days off in a row. Despite base procedures, he decided to take leave and go see his parents without informing his commanding officers as he didn’t want to use is leave time.
The evening of the day he had decided to go home, he was packing and getting ready for the trip. He heard a noise outside and went out on the balcony to see what happened.
There, just outside, hovering 20 feet off the ground, was a helicopter. Gary went to get his glasses to get more details of the aircraft, but it ascended shortly after he witnessed it.
The next day, at the airport, Gary was approached by a man he didn’t know. The man then asked Gary where he was going. Gary informed him of his plans, but the man kept pressing him for more information. This bothered Gary. The man claimed he was starting a business and needed his information for some marketing research or other.
The more Gary engaged with the stranger, the more uncomfortable he felt. Eventually Gary’s seat was called and he boarded the plane. But the weirdness continued on the plane.
A different man soon moved seats to sit next to Gary. The man began asking him more questions. A flight attendant came over and informed the strange man that he was in the wrong seat. So the man got up, but went and sat by the emergency exit.
There the man badgered Gary with more questions. How did he spell his last name? When would he be returning to Texas? Etc. Then the flight attendant told the man to take his actual seat. So the man got up and moved towards the back of the plane to his real seat. Gary had refused to answer any of the man’s questions.
Then there was the previously mentioned phone call with Mike. It seems his unannounced trip wasn’t as much of a surprise as Gary had hoped. But how did these people know?!
Call #1
It Was Monday February 8th at 10:30pm when the first phone call was received.
Gary and Mike had just had their confusing conversation when another call came through. Gary answered expecting maybe Mike again, but instead he heard an odd, deep, slow voice.
The following is a transcript taken from Normal Paranormal: (Note: both of Gary’s Parents can be heard in the background)
GARY: I’ll tell you who it is.
VOICE: Hello?
GARY: Yeah. Do you want to speak to him?
VOICE: Is Gary Sud–Sudbrink there?
GARY: Yeah, who’s this? Steven? Are you playing games with me or what?
GARY: Huh? Steven if you’re playing games here, I’m going to kick your ass.
VOICE: So how long are you going to be back from Texas?
GARY: Huh?
VOICE: You’re being impersonated by the other voice.
GARY: Yeah this is you Steven—you idiot. You’re pissing me off. Jerk. I’m gonna get you on…let’s see what it says. Review. One new call. Out of area? Is Steven out of the area?
VOICE (interrupts): How long are you going to be back from Texas?
GARY: Wait, say that again.
VOICE: You’re being impersonated by the other voice.
GARY: Wait, hold on. Is Steven out of the calling area or what?
MOM: How do I know?
GARY: What do you mean, you don’t know? He’s in Queens.
DAD: Well who are you talking to?
GARY: I don’t know who the f*** I’m talking to…
VOICE (interrupts): Hello?
MOM: Hello?
VOICE: Is Gary Sud–Sudbrink there?
MOM: Who is this?
GARY (in background): Let me talk to him.
MOM: Somebody sounds like a robot.
GARY: Hello?
VOICE: How long are you going to be back from Texas?
GARY: What was that again, sir?
VOICE: You’re being impersonated by the other voice.
GARY (to family): Oh be quiet—else, eh? Sorry, will you say that again?
GARY: Hello? I’m being impersonated by what voice?
VOICE: Hello?
GARY: Yeah. Hello?
VOICE: Is Gary Sud–Sudbrink there?
GARY: Yeah, hold on a second.
MOM: Who is that?
GARY: It’s Steven. Okay. Yeah what is your question? I’ll answer it.
DAD (in background): …a strange voice.
VOICE: So how long are you going to be back from Texas?
GARY: How long–
VOICE (interrupts): You’re being impersonated by the other voice.
GARY: Right. When am I coming back? Is that your question?
VOICE (quieter voice): Sudbrink there?
DAD (in background): What’s a matter with you?
GARY: Okay there was a break, hold on. You wanna know when I’m coming back to Texas. Uh, is that your question?
VOICE: So how long are you going to be back from Texas?
GARY: How long am I going to be back from Texas…
VOICE (interrupts): You’re being impersonated by the other voice.
GARY (talking overtop): …that question doesn’t even make any sense.
GARY: Okay. I’ll be coming back eventually. Um…I can’t tell you when. You should know that question—the answer to the question because you seem to know more about me than I do. You know what I’m saying?
DAD: Are you a…intergalactic…uh…person?
GARY: Are you a space alien?
DAD: Sounds like he hung up.
GARY: I can’t believe this.
DAD: It’s—he hung up Gary.
GARY: See if he comes back.
DAD: Alright, I’ll hang up.
(**Dial tone.**)
GARY: Jesus Christ. Oh my God man. I’m calling Mike back.
(**Two beeps on the dial pad.**)
Call #2
A few minutes after the first call hung up, Gary received another call. The following is the transcript (also courtesy of Normal Paranormal):
GARY: What is your question?
(**Unidentified beep**—From telephone or answering machine?)
GARY: Yes, uh speaking.
VOICE: Is this Gary Sudbrink?
GARY: Yes.
GARY: Could I answer any questions for you?
VOICE: Are you back from Texas–ss?
GARY: I’m not back yet. No.
VOICE: How long are you going to be back from Texas?
GARY: Let me answer…first you tell me—where are you calling from?
VOICE: Is this Gary Sudbrink?
GARY: Yeah. Why don’t you tell me where you’re calling from?
VOICE: Who is this?
GARY: What do you mean who is this? You should know who it is. It’s me, Gary.
GARY: Uhhh… Wait, let me…let me ask you this question. Where are you calling from?
GARY: Okay, I’ll be back—
VOICE (interrupts): Keep an eye on the skies.
GARY: Excuse me?
VOICE: Near Orion.
GARY: I can’t hear too well.
VOICE: The full moon.
GARY: Yeah there’s a full moon out, that’s true.
(**Sound of someone hanging up on the other line.**)
GARY: Could you identify yourself?
GARY: Identify yourself.
DAD: Ask him what’s the purpose of the call.
GARY: Why are you calling me?
VOICE (interrupts): Keep an eye on the skies.
GARY: Excuse me?
VOICE: Near Orion.
GARY: I cannot hear too well.
DAD: Get on the other phone, it’s better.
GARY: Hold on, let me switch phones.
(**Sound of other phone being picked up.**)
GARY: Okay. Okay hold on. Now who are you?
VOICE: Keep an eye on the skies.
GARY: Keep an eye on the sky he said.
DAD: Keep an eye on the sky?
GARY: Yeah.
VOICE: Orion.
DAD: Ask him can I talk to him–
GARY: …shhh…shhh…
DAD: I had a sighting already–
GARY: …okay, hold on. Say that…repeat that again?
GARY: Please repeat?
VOICE: Keep an eye on the skies.
GARY: Okay.
VOICE: Near Orion.
GARY: Near Orion.
DAD: Holy Mackerel. Tonight or this a when—
VOICE (interrupts): The full moon.
GARY: The full moon.
DAD (in background): They talk…they hung up…
VOICE: Show double of you.
DAD (in background): Keep an eye on the sky near Orion…
GARY: Repeat?
DAD: Tell him I’d like to talk to him.
GARY: Okay…repeat…repeat last word?
(**Static on the telephone line.**)
GARY: I’m hearing static.
DAD: Tell him I’d like to talk to him.
(**Sound of caller disconnecting.**)
GARY: He hung up.
DAD: He hung up?
GARY: Hello?
Call #3
Later that evening at 11:38, Gary received a third call (Transcript courtesy Normal Paranormal):
GARY: Okay. Yeah, it’s taking time for him to talk. Who is this?
(**Sound of someone picking up the other line.**)
GARY: Steven, I’m gonna—this is not funny you know.
VOICE (barely audible): Who is this?
DAD: Brian, it’s not Steven.
GARY: What do you mean Brian?
DAD: I mean, uh…Gary.
GARY: How do I know it’s not Steven?
DAD: It’s not Steven.
DAD: Hello? I had a, uh…UFO experience in West Virginia, which you probably know. And I know that you’re inter…uh…an intergalactic person.
VOICE (…very low, unintelligible…possibly “Who is this?”)
DAD: Can you speak a little louder? Sir? Can you speak a little louder?
VOICE: (even lower…unintelligible…)
DAD: Louder?
GARY: Let me speak to him, Dad. I guess, I don’t know…
DAD: Okay I’ll hang up so you can talk to him. He wants to talk to you.
GARY: Okay.
(**Sound of the other line hanging up.**)
GARY: Hello? Can I help you?
VOICE (louder than before): Hello?
GARY: Yes.
VOICE: Is Gary Sudbrink there?
GARY: Yes, that’s me.
VOICE (fainter again): Here is Gary Sudbrink.
GARY: Yes, could you please identify yourself?
GARY: Identify—
VOICE (faint, interrupts): Are you back from Texas–ss?
GARY: Yeah I’m back. I’m in Texas right now.
(**Sound of Gary’s dad in the background.**)
GARY: Well, he asked me a question.
VOICE: (very low…unintelligible…possibly “How are long are you?”)
GARY: No I’m in New York right now. You know that. Why are you asking me such a question?
DAD (in background): …Assuming he’s going to call back three times in a row, what are you going to do?
VOICE: Is this Gary Sudbrink?
GARY: Yes. Steven if this is you, I’m…I swear to God I’m gonna be pissed.
(**Sound of Gary’s dad in the background.**)
VOICE: Who is this?
GARY: Huh?
(**Static on the line.**)
DAD (in background): It’s not Steven.
GARY: I’m trying to listen to him. Who are…excuse me?
DAD (in background): You keep playing games with Steven and it’s not Steven—
MOM (in background): Well, shut the hell up.
(**Intense static on the line.**)
GARY: Okay. Eventually I’ll be back from Texas. Could you speak more? Please speak more.
(**Intense static on the line.**)
VOICE (barely audible): …eye on the skies…
GARY: I guess it’s not Steven. I believe it because I’m getting static.
DAD: Steven would not leave three times.
GARY: Let…let me go on this phone because I could never hear on this phone. Hold on.
(**Sound of the other telephone line picked up, followed by a quick beep.**)
GARY: Okay. Okay, please speak. Hello?
VOICE (louder than before, but still soft): Keep an eye on the skies.
(**Sound of writing or scratching, followed by another quick beep.**)
GARY: Okay, should I go out right now?
VOICE (interrupts): Orion.
GARY: Right now?
VOICE: The full moon.
GARY: Okay, see…I’m not sure where Orion is now, but we’ll go outside.
VOICE: Show double from you.
GARY: It will show double from me?
(**Static on the line.**)
GARY: Repeat that again?
(**Static on the line.**)
(**Caller hangs up.**)
(**Gary hangs up.**)
Call #4
It seemed that after the third call, the incident was over. However, the next day at 10:21pm (it is interesting that it was around the same time) Gary received a forth call (transcript again courtesy of Normal Paranormal):
VOICE (with more reverb and echo): Is Gary Sudbrink there?
GARY: Yes, this is me. Can I speak to…can I ask why—
VOICE: Is Gary Sudbrink there?
GARY: Yes, can I ask why you’re calling?
(**Static on the line.**)
GARY: Can I please ask—
VOICE: Is this Gary Sudbrink?
GARY: Yes, this is.
VOICE: Gary Sudbrink.
GARY: Yes, that is me.
(**Static on the line.**)
VOICE: We come. To be within this planet.
GARY: Say that again?
VOICE: In this planet.
GARY: Leave?
(**Unknown sounds.**)
VOICE: We come.
GARY: I’m standing right here.
VOICE: To be within this planet.
GARY: Is this a joke or what?
(**A whirring sound on the line.**)
VOICE: To visit the many. To be contacted. As the same. With you.
(**Sound of door being shut in the background.**)
GARY: Umm…
(**Static and whirring sound on the line.**)
GARY: I have to think about that. I’d like to see you—
VOICE (interrupts): To visit the many. To be contacted. As the same. With you.
UNCLE: Hey, let me tell you something. I’ve been listening to you. And I’ve had contacts with you.
VOICE: Beware. Government interference.
GARY: Government interference?
(**Static on the line.**)
VOICE (faint): You—
GARY: You have? Please explain what type of interference.
(*Whirring sound on the line.**)
VOICE: Beware.
GARY: Okay.
VOICE: Government interference. Visitations to be disrupted by them.
(**Strange unidentified sound on the line.**)
VOICE: (…unintelligible, faint…) …appears. The sun will rise on…dark side of moon. World. Know.
UNCLE: The sun will rise…
VOICE: (…unintelligible…)
UNCLE: ..on the dark side of the moon?
GARY: Okay, umm…
VOICE (very low…unintelligible…maybe “on the moon”)
GARY: What branch of the government?
(**Intense static on the line.**)
VOICE (very low): Show double from you.
(**Intense static on the line.**)
GARY: What uhh…what should I do?
(**Intense static on the line.**)
VOICE: Beware. Government interference. Visitations to be disrupted by them.
GARY: Okay. Is that good for me or bad?
(**Caller disconnects the call.**)
GARY: They hung up.
Dad (in background): So, did you get…?
UNCLE: Yes. Uh.
Interview With Gary
Taryn and Gary Sudbrink
Photo credit: Paranormal Brew
@ParanormalBrew
On September 1st, 2021, the YouTube channel Paranormal Brew interviewed Gary Sudbrink and discussed this case with him.
During this interview Gary recalls the events of the phone calls as he remembers them. It is very interesting to hear the incident from his point of view.
It’s also important to note that since the revelation of these events, Gary has been to various paranormal conventions throughout the country. Taryn mentions this fact in the interview. It is not the intention of this piece to accuse anyone, however, if he was paid for these events, it’s always healthy to take any embellishment or additions to a story with a grain of salt if the person is profiting from it. Again, no accusations are being brought here. It’s just something to keep in mind.
With that being said, he did make some additions to the story. These additions involve other incidents that have happened to him and his family before and after the phone calls and the events surrounding them. He mentions a possible big foot sighting (or hearing, rather as he only claims to have heard sounds). He also mentions that his parents had had UFO sightings.
The interview is worth a watch and it does flesh out some details of the event. A link will be in the citations at the end of this article.
Possibilities
Upon researching this case and listening to the phone calls it is clear that there are three main options as to what the incident was.
The first being the incident is authentic. This was a mysterious phone call from a paranormal source or possibly a government agency. Gary mentions that calls were traced and the originated from the house. This would imply an ability to either tap into a phone line or scramble a signal to render it untraceable. The government would have technology that would allow it to do that.
On the paranormal front, ghosts and spirits have been reported to be able to call people on the telephone. There are reports of people getting calls from dead loved ones and family members. There are many scenes in horror movies where a demon taps into the phone line and torments the poor subject. This is a trope that is very familiar in fans of possession storylines.
The second is an extraterrestrial origin. If there was an interstellar civilization that could travel here and communicate with us from a distant planet, surely they would have the capability to utilize available communications technology 0n Earth to do so. What they would want or why they would do so is the mystery here. Is it a warning? Is it a threat? Is it an experiment? The imagination goes wild with the possibilities.
The third possibility is not so sexy. It’s a hoax. It’s either a prank played on Gary without his knowledge by some friend or a brother just to mess with him. Prank phone calls are a long-time tradition in the practical joke world. Or is it a complete fabrication by Gary Sudbrink himself? If this is the case, why did his family get involved? What was the motive. Gary or any of his family haven’t written a book or made a documentary or sold the rights about the story. So profit motive wouldn’t be a factor. He does go to conventions, as has been stated, so would it be just for fame? Seems like an odd way to get it, but stranger gimmicks exist.
Adding to this possibility is the fact that people have sped up the recordings (which sound deep and slow in their original form) and the voice does seem like a regular, human voice. That’s something to consider.
Once again, these are not accusations. These are simply possibilities. All we can do is take Gary’s word for it. A reason to doubt him doesn’t seem completely clear.
Conclusion
The Gary Sudbrink Phone Calls are one of those odd little stories that exist in the paranormal world. Some dismiss it as a hoax or just a prank. Others claim it is proof of extraterrestrials attempting to communicate.
Every possibility has it’s pros and cons, it’s detractors and proponents. It’s a mystery that maybe shouldn’t be discovered. It’s a little, oddball tale floating around in the UFO community and paranormal field. Sometimes these things are better pondered rather than solved.
Whatever you believe it to be, it’s a fun case to research and look into. A phone call from an alien?! How could you not bite that bait?
Sources:
The Tape Library video: https://youtu.be/kFnE-OjTbDU?si=LEUQ1Zd7d0lue9YZ
Gary Sudbrink — Unresolved. (n.d.). Unresolved. https://unresolved.me/gar-y-sudbrink
Justin. (2019, December 6). Creepy Calls from a Strange Entity | Normal Paranormal. Normal Paranormal. https://normalparanormal.org/2019/04/02/creepy-calls-from-a-strange-entity/
Gary Sudbrink Interview With Paranormal Brew: https://www.youtube.com/live/tuofb26xY48?si=Aeaff-q4jAXZZvkM
