2 dead after search for Sasquatch in Washington national forest
Two men from Portland tragically lost their lives while searching for Sasquatch during Christmas week, authorities confirmed. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call around 1 a.m. on Christmas Day from a family member of the missing individuals. The men had set out to find Sasquatch and were expected to return home on December 24th.
A “flock camera,” also known as a license plate reader, located the men’s vehicle near Willard, Washington, off of Oklahoma Road, as reported by the SCSO. Following this discovery, a massive search and rescue operation was launched, involving over 60 volunteers, canines, drones, ground search teams, and a U.S. Coast Guard air asset.
After an exhaustive three-day search across challenging terrain and severe weather conditions, the two men, aged 59 and 37, both from Portland, Oregon, were found deceased in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, according to a statement by the sheriff’s office on Facebook. The cause of death was attributed to exposure, likely a result of the harsh weather conditions and inadequate preparation.
The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude towards the volunteers who dedicated their Christmas week to locating the men under adverse circumstances, enabling their safe return to their families. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased individuals.
The identities of the men were not disclosed to the public. In a Travel Channel blog post from 2019, Washington was highlighted as the “world’s most active region” for Sasquatch sightings, with areas like the Blue Mountains and Okanogan County being notable hotspots for such encounters.
The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with venturing into unfamiliar wilderness areas without adequate preparation and precautions. The search for Sasquatch, a mythical creature of folklore, ended in a heartbreaking outcome for the two men from Portland.
