The Urban Legend Of Le Loyon Explained
Back in 2017, "Mystery Science Theater 3000" returned to TV screens, and its comedic musical numbers along with it. In one such number, "Every Country Has a Monster," (available on YouTube), Jonah and his robot buddies sing about cryptids and folkloric creatures around the globe, such as the Tibetan Yeti or the Chupacabra in Mexico. Well, you can now add Switzerland to the list of countries that have their own monsters, although "Le Loyon," as it's known, is of a more recent vintage.
The creature has been spotted on and off since 2003, according to The Daily Mail. A few theories have been put forward to explain the phenomenon: The mysterious Swiss phantom may be just a guy who's having some fun at the rest of the world's expense, a person with a mental illness, a supernatural boogeyman, or the whole thing may be just one giant, overblown case of mass hysteria.
'Le Loyon' wears a vintage gas mask and military fatigues
According to News.Com.au, since about 2003, people have been catching glimpses of a humanoid figure haunting the woods in western Switzerland. The figure has been given the name "Le Loyon" which, according to Google Translate, means "The Loyon" (in other words, it's untranslatable). The humanoid figure wears military fatigues and a vintage gas mask — and he's terrifying local residents. "He had a military cape, boots and an army gas mark — an antique type, I think," said an observer. "He measured more than 1.9m (just over six feet). He stared at me then turned his back on me and left in silence." Another said, "It scared my children."
Le Loyon had been the subject of oral legends until photographs and video of him started popping up. Indeed, an entire YouTube channel is now dedicated to its sightings.
Swiss police are interested in having a word with "Le Loyon," assuming that it's a real, living person. That's partially because he's causing children, and presumably some adults, to flee in terror when they see him, as The Daily Mail reports. What's more, there's the possibility that the person behind it may be suffering from some sort of mental illness, and authorities would like him to get help.