Two men on the hunt for Sasquatch were found dead in Washington State after a days-long search.
The hunters from Oregon, both from Portland, were reported missing by a family member on Christmas Day. They had been searching for the legendary creature in eastern Skamania County and were expected to return on Christmas Eve, according to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.
A search was launched, and a vehicle linked to the men was found near Willard, Washington. After a three-day effort involving over 60 people, the bodies of the two men, ages 37 and 59, were discovered in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, a remote, heavily wooded area in southwestern Washington. The sheriff’s office stated that the cause of death appeared to be “exposure, based on weather conditions and ill-preparedness.”
The area had experienced snow, rain, and temperatures in the 30s in the days before the men went missing. Search teams faced harsh conditions, including freezing temperatures, snow, and high water levels.
Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot, is a large, hairy figure believed to inhabit parts of the U.S. and Canada. The existence of the creature remains hotly debated, with over 700 reported sightings in Washington state alone. Still, in Skamania County, if an actual Bigfoot is found, harming it is illegal, punishable by a $1,000 fine or jail time. This law aims to protect the creature and prevent hunters from accidentally targeting humans with similar appearances.
The identities of the men have not yet been unveiled.
