In a tragic turn of events, two men have died while hunting for Sasquatch in the Pacific Northwest. 

The two men were killed by exposure to the elements, police in Skamania County, Washington, said. The victims, a 59-yer-old male and 37-year-old male from Portland, Oregon, were reported missing early on Christmas morning.

They were expected home Christmas Eve, but did not return from Gifford Pinchot National Forest, sparking a massive search.

Two Bigfoot hunters dead

The search lasted three days and involved 60 volunteers, as well as drones, dogs, and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters.

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deaths, saying the victims left on their trip unprepared for the harsh winter weather.

"After a grueling, three-day search over difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, the 59-year-old male and 37-year-old-male, both from Portland, Oregon, who were reported missing/endangered were located, deceased, in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest," the sheriff's office said on Facebook.

"Both deaths appear to be due to exposure, based on weather conditions and ill-preparedness," SCSO added.

The sheriff's office thanked the volunteers for taking time away from their families during Christmas to aid with the search. The victims were not identified.

“The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office would like to recognize the exceptional volunteers who sacrificed time away from their families during Christmas to assist our agency with this mission,” the sheriff's office said. “These phenomenal volunteers also fought through freezing temperatures, snow, high water levels, heavy rain, downfall, and heavily wooded terrain. Their exhaustive search efforts resulted in bringing family members home to their loved ones.

“The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the loved ones lost in this tragic incident," the sheriff's office added.

The search for Bigfoot

While Bigfoot's existence is not accepted by mainstream science, there is a dedicated subculture of people determined to find the mythical beast.

The elusive creature is often described as a large, bi-pedal humanoid or ape-like animal that dwells in the woods. Sightings of Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, have been reported all across North America.

It's seldom, however, that such efforts end in tragedy as they have in this instance.

Among Bigfoot enthusiasts, the Pacific Northwest is considered a hotspot, with many reported sightings in Washington.