Alleged alien abductee sues Netflix over defamation in The Manhattan Alien Abduction series

A woman claiming to be an alien abductee is suing Netflix, alleging they misrepresented her story. In a civil suit filed in New York Supreme Court, Linda Napolitano states she agreed to participate in Netflix's latest series, The Manhattan Alien Abduction, but claims the streaming giant failed to uphold certain promises. Linda argues this led to her story being inaccurately portrayed.

Initially, she requested the courts to delay the release of the show, but it premiered on Oct. 30 regardless. Now, Linda aims to clear her name and possibly seek damages for what she alleges is "fraud" and defamation.

According to documents reviewed by The Mirror, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of both Linda and the estate of the late author Budd Hopkins, who wrote the 1997 book Witnessed: The True Story of the Brooklyn Bridge Abduction. Linda’s suit claims the series also plagiarized elements of Hopkins’ work.

Her primary complaint, according to documents obtained by Forbes, involves Netflix’s decision to interview a skeptic. Linda claims Netflix initially agreed to a single interview with Carol Rainey, promising that her “true story of her abduction would finally be presented.” However, at a screening in September, Linda claims Netflix did not fulfill this promise.

Instead, she alleges Carol had a much larger role in the series than anticipated. Linda criticized Carol, describing her as an "embittered, alcoholic ex-wife hell-bent on revenge against her husband," and expressed concern over how she and Budd would be perceived by the public after the show aired.

She believes the series portrays her as “a villain for purposes of controversy and conflicts,” fearing it could “destroy her reputation as an honest and decent person.” Since 1989, Linda's story has sparked much debate, with many questioning its authenticity.

According to her claim, Linda was allegedly lifted into the air in Manhattan and abducted by a UFO. Interestingly, dozens of witnesses reportedly supported her account, claiming they also saw a woman being taken into a spaceship. The Netflix series description reads, "A woman claims to have been abducted from her bedroom in Manhattan. This docuseries explores whether it was an elaborate hoax — or proof of alien life."