Bunny Man Bridge: Fact or Fiction?

Every October, hundreds of visitors flock to a narrow underpass in Fairfax County, Virginia, searching for something that might not exist. The Colchester Overpass, known as Bunny Man Bridge, has spawned decades of gruesome tales about axe murders and hanging bodies. Yet police records tell a different story—one that’s far less dramatic but equally intriguing. The truth behind Northern Virginia’s most notorious urban legend isn’t what most people expect.

The Origins of the Bunny Man Legend in Fairfax County

While urban legends often spring from multiple sources, the Bunny Man story‘s roots trace back to two specific incidents in Fairfax County during October 1970. The first occurred on October 19 when Air Force Academy cadet Robert Bennett and his fiancée reported seeing a man in a white bunny costume who threw a hatchet through their car window, shouting about trespassing. Two weeks later, security guard Paul Phillips encountered a similar figure on Guinea Road, wielding an axe and threatening him near a house under construction.

Local newspapers covered both incidents, but details quickly morphed through retellings. The legend evolved to include an escaped mental patient, murdered children, and the Colchester Overpass—now dubbed “Bunny Man Bridge.” Despite police investigations finding no evidence supporting the original claims, the story’s embedded itself in Northern Virginia folklore.

Documented Police Reports From 1970: What Really Happened

When Fairfax County Police investigated the October 1970 incidents, their official reports painted a far different picture than the dramatic tales that’d later circulate. Officers documented two vandalism cases involving a man in a white bunny costume who’d threatened residents with a hatchet. The first incident occurred on October 19 when Air Force cadet Robert Bennett and his fiancée encountered the costumed man near Guinea Road. The suspect smashed their car’s windshield while shouting about trespassing.

The second report came on October 29. Security guard Paul Phillips spotted the same individual attacking a new home’s porch support with an axe. Both witnesses described a man in his twenties wearing a bunny suit. Police couldn’t locate the suspect despite searches. No murders, escapes from asylums, or bridges appeared in these official records.

How Local Folklore Transformed the Original Incidents

The two mundane vandalism reports from 1970 quickly morphed into something far more sinister through repeated retellings. Local teenagers began claiming they’d seen an ax-wielding man in a bunny costume near the Colchester Overpass. Stories spread about escaped mental patients who’d killed children on Halloween night. Each version grew darker—the vandal became a serial killer, the thrown hatchet became ritualistic murders, and the bridge transformed into a portal for supernatural encounters.

Investigating Claims of Deaths and Disappearances at Colchester Overpass

Despite countless tales of hangings, murders, and mysterious disappearances at Colchester Overpass, police records and newspaper archives reveal no documented deaths at the site. Local law enforcement agencies have repeatedly debunked claims of bodies found beneath the bridge or teenagers vanishing during Halloween visits. The Fairfax County Police Department’s historical records show zero homicides or missing persons cases linked to the overpass since its construction in the early 1900s.

Paranormal investigators who’ve examined the location haven’t found evidence supporting the gruesome legends. They’ve traced most stories to creative retellings that emerged in the 1980s and spread through high school campuses. The bridge’s remote location and eerie atmosphere fuel imagination, but investigators stress there’s no factual basis for the death claims that’ve become central to the Bunny Man mythology.

Why the Bunny Man Bridge Continues to Captivate Modern Thrill-Seekers

Even though police records debunk the death claims, Colchester Overpass attracts thousands of visitors annually who can’t resist testing their courage against local folklore. The bridge’s appeal lies in its perfect storm of urban legend elements: an isolated location, a tragic backstory, and the Halloween connection that promises supernatural encounters at midnight.

Social media has amplified the bridge’s mystique. Teenagers post videos of their visits, sharing grainy footage and exaggerated reactions that rack up millions of views. Local ghost tour companies capitalize on the legend, offering guided trips that blend historical facts with theatrical storytelling.

The Bunny Man Bridge represents something primal—humanity’s need to seek controlled fear. In an increasingly predictable world, visitors crave the thrill of confronting the unknown, even when they know it’s probably just a story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Visitors Legally Access the Bridge at Night?

No, visitors can’t legally access the bridge at night. Local authorities’ve posted no trespassing signs and enforce restrictions after dark. Police regularly patrol the area and issue citations to those who ignore the posted warnings.

What Other Urban Legends Exist in the Surrounding Virginia Area?

Virginia’s surrounding area features several urban legends including the Witch of Pungo about Grace Sherwood’s supernatural trials, Richmond’s vampire panic of 1925, and the ghostly hitchhiker of Crawford Road who’s reportedly seeking revenge.

Has the Bridge Been Featured in Movies or Television Shows?

The Bunny Man Bridge hasn’t appeared in major films or TV shows, but it’s inspired several low-budget horror movies and paranormal investigation episodes. Local filmmakers have created short films about the legend’s supernatural elements.

Are There Guided Tours Available to Bunny Man Bridge?

No official guided tours operate to Bunny Man Bridge, but local paranormal groups occasionally organize informal visits. The bridge’s located on private property, so visitors shouldn’t trespass. Some ghost tour companies mention it in their storytelling.

What Is the Exact Address or GPS Coordinates of the Bridge?

The bridge’s located on Colchester Road near Clifton, Virginia, at approximately 38.7939° N, 77.3872° W. It’s officially called Colchester Overpass, spanning the railroad tracks between Fairfax Station Road and Main Street in Clifton.