Juan Antonio Cebrián, on the left.

I heard the news today, oh boy.– The Beatles

One of Spain’s most famous radio commentators and program hosts in the realm of the unexplained has passed away suddenly. Juan Antonio Cebrián, only 41 years of age, has died of a sudden heart attack on the evening of October 20, 2007. The report was issued by the radio station where he was working, Onda Cero, at 1:00 a.m., Sunday, 21 October 2007. News of this shocking, sudden loss reverberates throughout Spain’s forteana/cryptozoo/paranormal/ufology community, according to Scott Corrales, director of Inexplicata.

Cebrián, who may be seen as a Spanish version of Art Bell, George Noory, Dr. Bob Hieronimus, and Whitley Streiber combined, was well-known to his large audience for his style and diverse interests in cryptozoology, ufology, ancient archaeology, and other realms of Forteana. He did programs on such cryptids as Nessie and Yeti, and interviewed authors, such as Jose Gregorio Gonzalez of the Canary Islands, who had just written a book on strange creatures. Cebrián’s shows had a wide range of unusual topics, and did include specific cryptozoology themes.

From a list of recent shows aired on Cebrian’s La Rosa de los Vientos (1997-2007), and compiled by Bruno Cardenosa, the following are of particular interest:

#155 – El Barmanu
#157 – Pigmeos
#159 – Gigantes
#169 – El Orang pendek
#174 – Aborígenes Australianos
#191 – El Gigantophitecus – Simios Gigantes
#192 – El Homo Acuaticus
#193 – El Mokele Mbembe

Scott Corrales has noted to Cryptomundo that Juan Antonio Cebrián had two cryptozoology specials in 2005 (Criptozoología 1 y 2, 37 minutes in length each) presented by Jesús Callejo and Carlos Canales.

The following is a translation, thanks to Corrales, of the just-published obituary from Onda Cero:

“For those who are new to the subject, Juan Antonio Cebrián created, among others, the La Red, Azul y Verde and the legendary Turno de Noche radio shows. He founded and edited the La Rosa de los Vientos Magazine and currently directed LRV on Onda Cero Radio, aside from being a frequent correspondent for the El Mundo newspaper’s Sunday supplement. He won the “Best Broadcaster” award in 1994 from the Asociaciond e Corresponsales Diplomáticos and was an author of historical and paranormal subjects.”

Juan Antonio Cebrián Zúñiga (Albacete, November 30, 1965 – Madrid, October 20, 2007) was a journalist, writer and radio commentator. He will be missed by those who followed his programs. Cryptomundo’s condolences to his family, friends, and fans.