14 Dec 11th-Dec 17th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Some skeptics says Walton was an alco- holic or a drug addict whose “abduction” was a product of him being drunk or high, which he refutes. “The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s drug screen showed no trace of any drug in my body,” he says. Another topic of debate surrounds the polygraph tests administered by an Arizona Department of Public Safety examiner. The six witnesses and Walton underwent tests after his reappearance. All passed, except one was determined “inconclusive,” and both Walton and Rogers explain that this was because one of the crew members did not complete the exam, even though all the questions he answered before stopping were scored as truthful. Later, the same crew member retook the polygraph test and passed. Some crew members took follow-up tests and passed consistently, as did Walton’s brother and mother, who were accused of being co-conspirators. There are plenty of those who, in the parlance of “The X-Files,” want to believe. A representative of The Arizona Chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) gave us a statement: “Travis Walton is highly regarded by UFO researchers around the world and has upheld the story of his experience through the years, without any suspicion. His case is bolstered by the unprecedented verifica- tion of six individuals successfully passing numerous lie detector tests, of which the odds of false results are near zero … It is one of the strongest abduction or contact cases ever recorded.” The cultural impact of the incident has evolved over the past five decades. Now 72 years old, Walton sees how his perspective has shifted compared to his 22-year-old self. “It was only over time that I realized that it only happened because I was foolish enough to jump out,” he says. He adds he once felt anger toward the situation, but now has some understanding. “So, you know, rather than taking me and dumping my body in some obscure place, let the crew hang for murder, they went the extra mile to restore me and return me to where I could get help. And to me, that really sets a pretty strong feeling about whether they have evil intent.” He stood by his account during November’s anniversary event in Overgaard hosted by his family. Although Walton did not plan the event himself, he did participate throughout the day at his family’s request. The event included an option to tour the abduction site, watch a screening of “Fire in the Sky,” participate in Q & A session conducted by Walton himself and watch a special performance by The Figs, a band consisting of some of his children, in-laws and grandchildren who play regularly in the area. Walton even joined in to sing on a couple of songs. Attendees came from all over the state. During the abduction site tour, Walton pointed out some of the key location. Throughout the tour and movie screening, Walton was visibly uncomfort- able at certain points, his posture tense, his voice occasionally shaky and quiet. Walton commented on how this event differed from others he’s participated in over the years, explaining that being at the actual site brought back a lot of memories he usually compartmentalizes. “This one included a visit to the site, so that was pretty intense for me and brought a lot of things back,” he says. People continued approaching him throughout the event. He willingly stood by, greeting attendees shaking hands and taking every photo request. Although this attention is not new for him, he maintains that it doesn’t affect his ego. “I don’t think what I’ve experienced makes me special — just an ordinary person trying to cope,” he says. Even though the 50th anniversary event was not Walton’s idea, he feels as though it brought his life-changing expe- rience full circle. “It was kind of an event that gave me closure.” The Walton family. (Angela RoseRed) The Figs perform at the 50th anniversary event. (Angela RoseRed) Holding Space from p 13
