Paul Freeman (August 10, 1943 – April 2, 2003) was an American

Bigfoot Bigfoot, also commonly referred to as Sasquatch, is a purported ape-like creature said to inhabit the forest of North America. Many dubious articles have been offered in attempts to prove the existence of Bigfoot, including anecdotal claims o ...

hunter who claimed to have discovered Bigfoot tracks showing dermal ridges. The plaster casts Freeman subsequently made were convincing enough to be considered critical pieces of evidence by anthropologists Jeff Meldrum of Idaho State University and

Grover Krantz Grover Sanders Krantz (November 5, 1931 – February 14, 2002) was an American anthropologist and cryptozoologist; he was one of few scientists not only to research Bigfoot, but also to express his belief in the animal's existence. Throughout his ...

of Washington State University, who put considerable time and resources into studying them. Others, like

René Dahinden René Dahinden (August 22, 1930 – April 18, 2001) was a Canadian Bigfoot (Sasquatch) researcher. Dahinden was born in Switzerland and moved to Canada in October 1953, where he would live for the rest of his life. He became interested in the ...

and Bob Titmus, thought Freeman was simply a hoaxer seeking attention. On June 10, 1982, Freeman reportedly sighted a Bigfoot near

Walla Walla, Washington Walla Walla is a city in Walla Walla County, Washington, where it is the largest city and county seat. It had a population of 34,060 at the 2020 census, estimated to have decreased to 33,927 as of 2021. The population of the city and its two su ...

, which he described as being nearly 8 ft (2.4 m) tall and covered in reddish-brown body hair. In 1994 Freeman captured a purported Bigfoot on

videotape Videotape is magnetic tape used for storing video and usually sound in addition. Information stored can be in the form of either an analog or digital signal. Videotape is used in both video tape recorders (VTRs) and, more commonly, videocassett ...

near the Blue Mountains region of northeastern

Oregon Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...

. The recording is considered authentic by some Bigfoot investigators, but is of resolution too low to be considered conclusive by most. It was also spoofed many times in Kokanee beer advertisements. Freeman died at his home in

Airway Heights, Washington Airway Heights is a city in Spokane County, Washington, United States, just west of Spokane. The population was 10,757 at the 2020 census. The city's name was taken from its close proximity to the runways at Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane ...

at the age of 59 from complications of

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

References

External links

Paul Freeman obituary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freeman, Paul 1943 births 2003 deaths Deaths from diabetes Cryptozoologists Bigfoot People from Spokane County, Washington