Alleged Bigfoot hunter claims remains test 58.5% Neanderthal DNA at Cornell lab
"Charles Stewart, he's also called Snake the Bigfoot Hunter claims he possesses actual Bigfoot remains, that this 8-foot, 300-pound specimen tested at 58.5% Neanderthal DNA and 41.5% human DNA. He says he found the remains in the Adirondack Mountains in 2024, put the body on display at last year's Great New York State Fair, says the DNA results from Cornell's veterinary DNA lab prove that this creature is a Neanderthal-human hybrid."
About this episode
Jesse Weber hosts an extended Hot Take episode with forensic death investigator Joseph Scott Morgan from Jacksonville State University to examine the scientific evidence behind Bigfoot claims and discuss major developments in two criminal cases. The episode centers on Charles Stewart, known as Snake the Bigfoot Hunter, who claims to possess remains of an 8-foot, 300-pound creature that tested 58.5% Neanderthal and 41.5% human DNA at Cornell University's veterinary lab. Stewart says he found the body in the Adirondack Mountains in 2024 and displayed it at the New York State Fair. Morgan provides forensic analysis of what scientific testing would be required to verify such claims, including anthropological bone measurements, dental DNA extraction, and testing of the petrous bone in the skull. He explains that legitimate confirmation would require peer review and independent verification, and that any scientist falsifying such results would face career destruction. The discussion covers the history of Bigfoot sightings dating to the 1800s, recent reported encounters including 10 Idaho teenagers on Memorial Day weekend and eight sightings in northeastern Ohio, and polling data showing 11% of U.S. adults believe Bigfoot is real. Morgan compares the evidentiary standards to UAP sightings and explains why a breeding population of Neanderthal-human hybrids would need to exist if the DNA claims are accurate. The episode also previews upcoming coverage of the Tyler Robinson case, focusing on DNA and ballistic evidence, and reveals that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office is under internal investigation that Morgan describes as creating potentially irreparable damage to the relationship between the medical legal community and law enforcement.
Key takeaways
- Snake the Bigfoot Hunter claims 8-foot, 300-pound remains from Adirondacks tested 58.5% Neanderthal DNA at Cornell's veterinary lab and were displayed at New York State Fair in 2024
- Forensic expert Joseph Scott Morgan says legitimate verification would require breeding population of pre-human hybrids and that faking such results would be career-ending for any scientist
- Internal investigation at Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has created potentially irreparable damage to relationship with law enforcement according to Morgan
- Eleven percent of U.S. adults believe Bigfoot is real with higher belief among those under 35 and in Pacific Northwest and rural areas
- Morgan explains forensic testing would include anthropological bone measurement, dental DNA extraction, and petrous bone analysis similar to methods used in criminal investigations
- Recent Bigfoot sightings reported by 10 Idaho teenagers on Memorial Day weekend and eight high-credibility sightings in northeastern Ohio with video evidence of tracks
- Tyler Robinson preliminary hearing entering fifth day with focus on DNA evidence showing commingling with roommate and ballistic evidence