Author Of Famous ‘Belgian UFO’ Photo Says He Was Paid To Call It A Hoax

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Belgium became a hotspot for UFO sightings, with reports of triangular-shaped crafts dominating headlines.

Among the most iconic images from this period is a photograph taken in 1990 by mechanic Patrick Marechal, reportedly capturing a triangular UFO with three red lights.

Widely circulated and analyzed, it was considered one of the most compelling UFO images of its time—until controversy unraveled its authenticity.

The image, captured in Petit-Rechain near Liège, was initially lauded by UFO researchers. Marechal, using a Kodak Ektachrome camera, claimed to have taken two photos, though only one turned out.

Analyses by experts, including Professor Marc Acheroy of the Royal Military School in Brussels, suggested the object was real and solid, photographed in flight. However, skeptics raised doubts, citing the possibility of a secret aircraft project or photographic manipulation.

In 2011, Marechal admitted he fabricated the photograph using a Styrofoam model and flashlights. Demonstrating how he created the image, Marechal emphasized the ease with which convincing evidence could be staged.

Yet, the story took another twist in 2024. Roger Stankovic, MUFON’s national director for Australia and New Zealand, shared screenshots of a conversation with Marechal.

According to Stankovic, Marechal claimed he was paid to declare the photo a hoax to coincide with the release of journalist Leslie Kean’s book, which featured the image. Stankovic further alleged Marechal confirmed the photograph’s legitimacy.

The debate reignited when journalist Steven Greenstreet criticized the image’s use in UFO discussions.

Just weeks after being caught red-handed promoting a fake UFO photo (and claiming false things about it), Lue Elizondo is now promoting another fake UFO photo on his 💰for-profit 💰speaking tour.

In 2011, the creator of the photo admitted it's a hoax. pic.twitter.com/QE48f9i9db

— Steven Greenstreet 🐷 (@MiddleOfMayhem) November 20, 2024

“The photo was debunked in 2011 by photographer Patrick Marechal. He did this to coincide with the publication of Leslie Kean’s book, which had a chapter and the photo in his book. I contacted him in 2022, when he told me he was paid a large sum of money to debunk the photo.”

Stankovic countered, asserting the photograph was real and that Marechal’s confession was orchestrated.

My communications with Patrick Marechal, the photographer of the Belgian Triangle UFO in 1990. He is using Google translate from French to English making a little hard to follow however, he clearly is stating that the photo is real, and he was paid to debunk it pic.twitter.com/GccWHVtziD

— Roger Stankovic (@RogerStankovic) December 1, 2024