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The Sonoma Video Page

(Our 1st National Analysis)

"You know, when I first got down to the meat of the matter, I was very disappointed. But it set a benchmark. This case helped shape the national appearance of Squatchdetective.com. So instead of breaking something remarkable, we turn around and provided the ONLY forensic analysis of his pictures, which PROVED they didn't match the timeline. It was the only instance where there was actual proof...that is until Penn&Teller admitted that it was a hoax. It wasn't the fact we called it a hoax...a lot of people were..but we called the reason for it!"  ---Steve Kulls Squatch-D Founder/Director

UPDATED APRIL 22nd, 2006

This film was introduced to the world by the videographer "Mark Nelson". It was supposedly shot in Sonoma, California on Sunday, November 13th, 2005.

The video itself looks compelling however, there are some disturbing aspects to the case. First I ask all of you to look at Mr. Nelson's website and read his account. Here is the link:

Click here for "Mark Nelson's" Website

(hit back on your browser when finished)

Our Investigation:

Well as Squatchdetective.com, we jumped in head first, when we heard the rumblings of a hoax. First thing we did was contact the man who had the most contact with him, John Freitas.

We got some interesting facts.

1. To our knowledge, no one has seen the original video

2. To our knowledge, no one has a tape to tape transfer of the video (the most accurate)

3. To our knowledge no one, has met face to face with Mr. Nelson

4. Mr. Nelson provides us with a phone number on his website, initial checks show the number is not associated with anyone named Nelson. (Thank you David)

5. To our knowledge, no investigator has found the exact video location.

Mr. Nelson, has avoided the Squatchdetective ignoring a request last week to speak with him. So without his input At Squatchdetective.com we did a forensic analysis of the photos he posted on his website.

Our Analysis:

1. The picture of "Brownie" (Cute mutt) - Taken on 11/15/05, using a Pentax S40 Digital Camera. Processing Software - Adobe Photoshop CS (MacIntosh Version)

2. The picture of his boot - Taken on 11/16/05 using a Sony Cybershot Digital Camera. Processing Software - Adobe Photoshop CS (MacIntosh Version)

3. The picture of the hair supposedly taken at the lab - Unknown date, may have been copied off website. Processing Software- Adobe Photoshop CS (MacIntosh Version)

Now let common sense guide us not passion:

1. He notes that it had "black eyes", how did see it's eyes, he was obviously was looking through the screen on his video camera to follow the creature so accurately. He saw what we saw or did he?

2. He hiked two hours in, so that means at least two hours out, a walk on pavement, a trip to his mom's. He sent his boots off to the lab, but three days later, a picture was taken of the boots with mud still on it.

3. He states his girlfriend was with him, do we hear her on tape? No. For that matter he was unwilling to let her be contacted or give her full name.

4. Same for the buddies. No names except first names.

5. No lab name either.

6. The hair picture bothers me because it was supposedly from the lab, yet it was processed with the same software as the rest of the pictures on his website.

7. And one final note: The movie is in Apple QuickTime Format. Doesn't Apple make the MacIntosh?

Folks this reeks of hoax. Hoaxers elaborate but cannot corroborate. His story is simply too amazing; he smelled something, saw its eyes, heard a growl (that wasn't on the video), saw flattened grass, collected a hair sample and knew someone to get it DNA tested within a couple of days. I'm in Bigfoot research and investigation and it would take a week for me at least to get the okay to send a sample. The test after all is not free or cheap.

 As we know money is no the only motivation for hoaxing. Notoriety, attention, and pulling a gag are just a few more. This seems like the latter. Someone is trying to make as ass out of organizations that say it's real. Give it more time and the motive behind this will emerge. No matter how good the video may look, and see a small flaw (like bunching when the left arm is thrown back), still weighs on the merit of who took it.

If "Mr. Nelson" (if that who he really is) is so kind enough to read this analysis and would like to dispute it, the hotline number is on our homepage and our email contact is here on this one.

UPDATE April 22, 2006

Penn & Teller's Showtime Special, BS!  faked the Sonoma Footage. Penn Gillette stated the video was shot 20 minutes from their San Fernando offices and used a free web site to promote the film.  "Mark Nelson" was a made up character and portrayed by an actor. Hmmm......sounds like we called it "BS" before Penn & Teller admitted its Penn & Teller's "BS!" We at here at Squatchdetective.com called it correctly, it was a hoax and it was pulled off as a gag!!!!

Here's a look at the Bigfoot Suit they used:

Does  the Sonoma Suit look awfully familiar???

It just may.

A while back there was a trailer for an upcoming movie which supposedly had authentic Sasquatch Video!

Click here for the video

Here's a Vid cap...