The Highgate Vampire is an English cryptid that was responsible for a case of mass-hysteria in the 1970s and named after the Highgate Cemetery in London, which was where the monster was reputed to have resided, it is notable as a case that sparked a local moral panic and even went as far as having modern-day vampire hunters go on patrols around the cemetery in hopes of capturing the beast.
History[]
The exact origin of the Highgate Vampire is a mystery and legends of its existence date back to at least the late 1960s, the creature was usually described as a monstrous human with red eyes and sharp claws, some even gave it demonic additions such as iron fangs; despite the highly fantastical appearance of the figure many witnesses were convinced of its existence and blamed its arrival on necromantic ceremonies, going as far as claiming to have witnesses animal sacrifice in the area and blaming an unknown group of cultists.
By the 1970s the legend grew to a local fever point with many (often young) adventurers seeking to capture the vampire and more strange tales speaking of its frightening presence, some even claim to have been physically attacked or drained of energy, while even more claimed to feel an unnatural presence of dread and fear around the cemetery.
Eventually the panic would fade as no evidence of the beast could be found, though the legend persists to this day.
Trivia[]
- The event is a modern-day example of witch-hunting mentality and as such is an important insight into the human mind, many involved in the event would continue to blame it on "Satanists" and other mysterious force up until their dying days.
- The Highgate Vampire is notable for retaining the truly ghoulish, monstrous appearance that vampires had in traditional lore, in contrast to the more glamorous vampires popularized by Hollywood.
- Despite claims of the Vampire very few deaths were confirmed in this strange case, though police did claim to have found at least one female body (which they claimed to have been a victim of "black magic ritual").
- The cemetery has frequently suffered from vandalism and other forms of minor crime, which would give rise to beliefs about the Vampire committing further acts of grave defilement in the area.
