The most terrifying unsolved mysteries of all time

Mysterious Noise

According to the publication Reader's Digest, in December 2016, a CIA officer visited the medical facilities at the US Embassy in Havana, Cuba, complaining of nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Several days later, two other CIA employees reported similar symptoms.

By the end of 2018, at least 26 Americans and 13 Canadians experienced symptoms including nausea, hearing loss, dizziness, nosebleeds, and issues with concentration. In all cases, the patients attributed their symptoms to strange noises heard at home or in their hotels. One person described the noise as high-pitched, while another likened it to "a beam of sound, focused on their room." Some claimed the noise resembled marbles rolling across the floor.

This "mystery illness" left medical experts puzzled. Doctors at the University of Pennsylvania examined patients diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms but found no signs of actual head trauma.

One hypothesis suggests that covertly placed eavesdropping devices by Cuban operatives placed too close together may have inadvertently created such sounds, akin to the audible feedback when someone stands too close to a microphone. However, the FBI found no evidence to support this theory. In fact, ultrasound falls outside the human audible range.

Audio recordings from some patients only added to the complexity of the issue. Two scientists studying the recorded segment believe they captured the sounds of lovestruck male crickets. Alexander Stubb, a scientist from the University of California, explained that these insects chirp loudly. "You can hear them from inside a diesel truck traveling at over 60 km/h on a highway," Stubb said. However, scientists remain puzzled as to how these sounds could make people fall ill.

In May 2018, an American in the consulate in Guangzhou, China, was diagnosed with a similar mysterious illness. Eventually, 15 Americans were evacuated from the area.

"The Ghost Ship" Mary Celeste

According to a report from Reader's Digest cited by the Laborer Newspaper, on December 4, 1872, a British-American ship named "Mary Celeste" was found deserted and adrift in the Atlantic Ocean. The cargo on board was fully intact, except for a lifeboat, which was found to be missing. There were no crew members on board at that time.

The Mary Celeste set sail from New York City, USA, bound for Genoa, Italy, in November 1872. It was commanded by Captain Benjamin Briggs and had a crew of 7 sailors, including Briggs's wife and their 2-year-old daughter. The food supply on board was sufficient for 6 months, including a sewing machine and a piano.

Commentators agree that abandoning a seaworthy vessel like this must have been due to some unusual and alarming circumstances. However, the last entry in the ship's daily log showed nothing unusual, and everything inside the ship was neatly arranged.

Various theories have been put forward, such as a collision, piracy, or an attack by giant octopuses/sea monsters. In recent years, scientists have hypothesized that fumes from alcohol on board the ship caused a "backfiring" explosion, leaving no trace of a fire. The explosion was so severe that Briggs ordered everyone into the lifeboat.

Area 51

Area 51, located in southern Nevada, is a US military base. Its existence was not confirmed until 2013, when the CIA was forced to acknowledge it under the Freedom of Information Act. Based on historical evidence, Area 51 is believed to be where the US military conducts aircraft and weapons testing.

However, the absolute secrecy surrounding Area 51 has sparked rumors that the US government uses it to store crashed UFOs and conduct experiments on extraterrestrial beings. Other theories about Area 51 include time travel research, teleportation studies, meetings with aliens, weather control development, and other shadowy government activities.

The origins of these theories are as mysterious as Area 51 itself, but one thing is certain: people are fascinated by these conspiracy theories.