An article entitled "The Boy Who Came Back to Life" was published in an unknown newspaper in late 1983. Multiple versions of the article seemed to exist[1][2]; however, both versions of the article were concerned with the reappearance of the missing child Will Byers.
The first version of the article appeared as a clipping pinned to the noticeboard at the Hawkins PD:[1]
THE BOY WHO CAME BACK TO LIFE
The former missing child Will Byers has been found after a week of searching. He is presently in stable condition in Hawkins General Hospital. Byers' mother, Joyce Byers, alleges that Will was the subject of a secret government program run by the Hawkins National Laboratory. The allegation comes amidst a massive investigation into the hidden organization and its elaborate experimentation in perusal of mind control.
The abuse detailed in the first report includes prolonged physical duress and psychological interrogation. This government sanctioned torture has provoked outrage amongst the American people. In a statement issued yesterday morning, Ives mentioned her "disgust" with the organization saying "our own American people are being treated like the enemy... we should be directing our attention to the real target, the Soviets, not our own daughters and sons." Under legal advice, Brenner has issued no comment on-
"Hawkins Lab Blocks Inquiry"[]
A different clipping pinned to the Hawkins PD noticeboard stated the following:[1]
HAWKINS LAB BLOCKS INQUIRY
The lab and the its involvement in government lead drug experimentation was first brought to the attention of the Post after documents name Dr. Richard Brenner, head of the Narcotic Enforcement Division from 1954-1971, came to light. These documents, although thoroughly coded, point to a secret organization involved in-
Version 2[]
"The Boy Who Came Back to Life"[]
Another version of the article was handed to Will Byers at school, scrawled over with the words "ZOMBIE BOY".[2]
THE BOY WHO CAME BACK TO LIFE BY BENJAMIN BUCK
In a recent statement, the state coroner's office has admitted to misidentifying the body recovered from the Sattler Quarry as twelve year old Will Byers. Will Byers had gone missing two days prior, inspiring the town of Hawkins to form a search party in the hopes of finding him. When a boy's body was recovered from the Sattler Quarry, the case seemed solved. Six days later local police, lead by Chief Jim Hopper, found Byers alive in an abandoned cabin a few miles outside of Hawkins. Police launched an investigation into the state coroner and have since arrested him. Chief Hopper declined to comment on the coroner's arrest.
Gallery[]
Version 1
Version 2
Notes[]
The first version of the article, shown in "The Upside Down", somewhat abruptly pivots from the reappearance of Will to alleged acts committed by members of Hawkins Lab.
"HAWKINS LAB BLOCKS INQUIRY" mentions a "Richard Brenner", rather than "Martin Brenner" - this is probably a production error.
The version of the article in "MADMAX" was seemingly created in response to fans overanalysing the original prop.
This version notably includes the cover story Hopper and Hawkins Lab created to explain Will Byers's reappearance. The abandoned cabin where Will was "found" is possibly the Hopper cabin.
