Melissa Hovey: "This witness has sent me a photo. A photo which could either be the clearest image we have to date of a possible bigfoot – or a very clear image of a big hoax"

*Not the photo. Just an example.

It appears that the Bigfoot photo that's going to be released this Thursday was no secret. Melissa Hovey had been writing about it for some time now. Since receiving the photo from an anonymous person 4 years ago, she agonizes daily about what to do.

Last Thursday, Melissa sent the person an email saying that if she didn't get a response in 7 days, she would post the photo for the world to see.

Read this post below from last Thursday:

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We live our lives as true to ourselves as we can be. Every decision we make, we hope, keeps us on that path of being true to ourselves. But, since January of 2008, I have been faced with a dilemma the likes of which I have never had to deal with before.

I made a promise.

When most of us get involved in this field of research, we do so, because we either want answers, or we want to help those who want answers. I had no idea that I would have to sit and look at an alleged photo of a possible Bigfoot or a big hoax for this long. I have been torn between my responsibility to a witness and the promise I made, and the promises I make every day, to other witnesses that I will do whatever I can to get them answers. One way or the other, we all want answers.

This is not an easy thing for me. I have struggled with this every single day for the last 4 years. When I tell you, I have struggled; I mean every syllable of the word struggled. What is my responsibility to someone who refuses to talk to me, after involving me in something so potentially important? What is my responsibility to witnesses who want answers?

What is my responsibility?

What if this is a hoax? Do I have a responsibility to this community to give them a heads up about a good potential hoax that could be just around the corner?

We all think the answers are so easy, until we are faced with them.

I have made a decision.

This witness has sent me a photo. A photo which could either be the clearest image we have to date of a possible bigfoot – or a very clear image of a big hoax. I do not know which one. I have spoken with many professionals who are experts in their respective fields. All tell me the same thing, “You must get this person to re-establish contact.” I have emailed this witness over the course of these last 4 years. The emails have not been returned as “undeliverable” so I can only assume he is receiving them. When we corresponded he returned my emails within the matter of a few hours. So, I know he was using this email address, at one time. This witness also told me he did read this blog.

So, this morning I emailed him from both of my email accounts in one final effort to get him to respond. I am hoping he will read this article, and know I am simply looking for an answer one way or the other. I have a responsibility to not just him, but other witnesses out there, researchers, and my promise to do whatever I can to help get this animal the protection it deserves. Even if this is a hoax, this is a person with a lot of talent. I absolutely would want to know that, and any further intentions he may have.

This is the toughest decision of my life. But, I firmly believe I am doing the right thing for a number of reasons.

I sent this witness an email this morning. I am asking that this person respond to work with me. If he does not, I will publish the photo he sent me in January of 2008 in an attempt to gain more information about this photo (if there’s more information out there). I would also ask that anyone with any level of expertise that could contribute, please do so. I have spoken with a number of people and allowed them to examine the photo, but I am looking for as many opinions as I can find.

This witness told me he feared for the safety of the alleged animal in this photo. If that is true, now would be the time to step up, and do something.

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Now, I am speaking directly, to this witness:

If you are serious about the protection of this animal against hunters or anyone looking to cause this animal harm, now is the time to contact me. You told me you were fearful this alleged animal would be shot and killed. If you are serious about this, then please return my email and work with me.

If this is a hoax, I can live with that. But, I need you to verify this.

I just want answers. Witnesses want answers. Researchers want answers. If you can provide those answers, either way, please respond to the emails I sent to you this morning, or please send in a comment to this blog (I will not publish the comment).

Let’s get this particular situation resolved one way or the other.

I do not want to break my promise to you. But I feel I have been left with no choice. When I made this promise to you, I also didn’t know, I would be forced to remain silent for so long with no resolution whatsoever. I have kept my promise thus far, which should tell you I am capable of keeping it longer. Whether or not, I release this photo, is completely up to you at this point. Either way, it’s time to stop playing games, and get to the heart of this particular photo.

At the end of the day, I have to be true to myself, and while my word is very important to me – I have also given my word to many other people and I am not keeping my promise to them.

There needs to be resolution in this matter. I hope you choose to contact me.

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For those of you who may see this photo in the next 7 days (assuming this witness does not contact me) I simply say this:

When you see this photo – I bet it won’t take you more than 5 minutes to think of at least 20 people you can email it to. So, when you think about whether or not I am a person who takes her word seriously, take a few minutes to decide if you could have sat on this and remained silent for 4 years.

This is not about anything other than the serious need to end this mystery – one way or the other. I don’t care what the answer is – I just want an answer. I can’t justify my silence on this particular photo any more.

Either way, I will know I have done all I can.

- Melissa Hovey