Leslie Kean is an American investigative journalist and author, best known for her works on UFOs and the afterlife. Here’s a brief introduction: Leslie Kean grew up in New York City. She is the daughter of environmentalist and philanthropist Hamilton Fish Kean and the granddaughter of Congressman Robert Kean. Her family also includes former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean and New Jersey State Senator Thomas Kean Jr. She attended the Spence School and Bard College and was instrumental in founding a Zen center in upstate New York.
Kean began her career as a photographer at Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. Her journey as an investigative journalist started when she visited Burma to interview political prisoners in the 1990s. Later, she worked at KPFA, a Berkeley, California-based radio station, and for Flashpoints, a news program. Since 2000, Kean has been publishing works related to UFOs. Her book “UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record” was a New York Times best seller. In 2017, she co-wrote an article for The New York Times revealing that the U.S. Department of Defense had a secret program investigating UFOs.
Apart from her UFO-related works, Kean has written “Burma’s Revolution of the Spirit: The Struggle for Democratic Freedom and Dignity” and “Surviving Death: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for an Afterlife.”
Early Life and Education
Leslie Kean hails from a notable family background. She is the daughter of environmentalist and philanthropist Hamilton Fish Kean and the granddaughter of Congressman Robert Kean. Further extending her family lineage, her uncle is former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean, and her cousin is New Jersey State Senator Thomas Kean Jr.
Growing up in the bustling city of New York, Leslie attended the Spence School, a prestigious all-girls independent school located in Manhattan. Following her schooling, she pursued higher education at Bard College, a private liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.
In addition to her formal education, Leslie showcased a spiritual inclination by helping to establish a Zen center in upstate New York. This center likely served as a place for meditation, spiritual teachings, and community gatherings centered around Zen practices.
This combination of a strong family background, quality education, and spiritual inclination laid the foundation for Leslie’s future endeavors as an investigative journalist and author.
Career
- Photography: Leslie Kean’s professional journey began with her role as a photographer at the Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University. The Lab is renowned for its studies on birds and their conservation.
- Investigative Journalism: Leslie’s foray into investigative journalism was sparked by her visit to Burma in the 1990s, where she interviewed political prisoners. This experience likely shaped her perspective and commitment to uncovering truths.
- Radio Work: After her stint in Burma, Leslie started working at KPFA, a radio station based in Berkeley, California. KPFA is known as the flagship station of the Pacifica Radio Network. She contributed as an investigative journalist, producer, and on-air host for Flashpoints, a left-wing drive-time news program. The program covered various critical issues, including wrongful convictions, the death penalty, and other criminal justice topics.
- UFO Research: Leslie Kean has been a prominent figure in the UFO community since 2000. She has published numerous works on the subject and has been a guest on the popular radio show “Coast to Coast AM.” Her book, “UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record,” published by Penguin Random House, garnered significant attention and became a New York Times best seller. Leslie is also associated with the UFO organization UFODATA.
- The New York Times Article: A significant highlight of her career came in 2017 when she co-authored an article for The New York Times. The article, written alongside Helene Cooper and Ralph Blumenthal, revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense had allocated $22.5M to a secret program titled the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, which investigated UFOs.
- Recent Revelations: In June 2023, Leslie Kean, in collaboration with writer Ralph Blumenthal, reported that a former United States Air Force officer and intelligence official named David Grusch claimed that the United States possesses a covert UFO retrieval program. This program allegedly has multiple vehicles of non-human origin and records of deceased pilots.
Controversy
Leslie Kean, as an investigative journalist, has delved into topics that are often considered controversial, especially in the realm of UFOs. Some of the notable controversies associated with her include:
- Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program: In December 2017, Leslie Kean co-authored an article for The New York Times which revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense had spent $22.5M on a secret program titled the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. This program was dedicated to investigating UFOs, and the revelation stirred significant attention and debate.
- UFO Photograph: According to a report in April 2021, Kean possesses a photograph of a purported UFO that hangs on a wall behind her desk. This photo, which she claims was gifted to her by the Costa Rican government, was taken by the Costa Rican National Geographic Institute in 1971 over Lake Cote. Kean considers this to be “the finest image of a U.F.O. ever made public.”
- Secret UFO Retrieval Program: In June 2023, Kean, along with writer Ralph Blumenthal, reported that a former United States Air Force officer and intelligence official named David Grusch claimed that the United States has a covert UFO retrieval program. This program allegedly has in its possession multiple vehicles of non-human origin and records of deceased pilots. This revelation sparked discussions and debates about the extent of the U.S. government’s knowledge and involvement with UFOs.
Impact on Ufology
Leslie Kean’s contributions to the field of ufology have been both profound and transformative. As an investigative journalist, she has consistently approached the topic of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) with a rigorous, evidence-based methodology, setting her apart from many in a field often riddled with speculation.
Her book, “UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record,” is a testament to her commitment to presenting credible, firsthand accounts from high-ranking officials and aviators. Published by a major mainstream publisher, Penguin Random House, the book became a New York Times bestseller, bringing the UFO discourse into the mainstream consciousness. The testimonies she compiled, backed by official documents, provided a compelling case for the physical reality of UFOs.
Furthermore, Kean’s co-authored article in The New York Times in 2017 unveiled the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, a previously covert U.S. Department of Defense initiative investigating UFOs. This revelation not only confirmed the government’s interest in the phenomenon but also catalyzed a renewed public and media interest in UFOs.
Kean’s work has been instrumental in shifting the perception of UFOs from fringe conspiracy theories to a legitimate subject of inquiry. By emphasizing transparency, credibility, and a scientific approach, she has paved the way for a more serious and open discussion about UFOs in both the public domain and official circles. In essence, Leslie Kean has played a pivotal role in elevating and legitimizing the study of ufology in the 21st century.
FAQ
Conclusion
Leslie Kean is a distinguished American investigative journalist and author, renowned for her meticulous research and publications on UFOs and the afterlife. Her approach to ufology, grounded in evidence and firsthand accounts, has brought a level of credibility and seriousness to a field often surrounded by skepticism. With notable works like “UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record” and her groundbreaking article in The New York Times about the U.S. Department of Defense’s UFO investigations, Kean has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between mainstream discourse and the enigmatic world of UFOs. Her contributions have not only elevated the conversation around UFOs but have also emphasized the importance of rigorous, evidence-based inquiry in understanding the unknown.