Overview
- Representatives announced Sunday that he died the previous day in a central Switzerland hospital, a report his daughter Cornelia confirmed to the Swiss news agency SDA.
- The Swiss writer broke through in 1968 with Recuerdos del Futuro, leading to dozens of titles that sold tens of millions of copies in many languages.
- His books argued that ancient civilizations received technological guidance from extraterrestrial visitors, a claim embraced by paranormal enthusiasts and disputed by scientists.
- His work influenced a wave of semi‑serious archaeological documentaries and popular television, with cited echoes in series such as The X‑Files.
- His career included legal and financial troubles and a failed themed attraction called Mystery Park; he is survived by his wife Elisabeth Skaja, his daughter, and two grandchildren.