"It stayed for about 20 minutes and laid down for a bit," Hendra told the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. "It looked at us inside the window then slowly walked away, and we have not seen it since.”

His parents have lived in the home since 1988, and they have seen a younger panther in the area a few years ago, “but nothing compares to this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Hendra said.

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute documented the incident in a Facebook post .

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez