Dr Jeff Meldrum made huge strides into looking at the mystery of Bigfoot, but in a statement it was revealed that the scientist had passed away after a brief but intense health battle

One of the legendary scientists responsible for the investigations into Bigfoot has died at the age of 67. He was one of the pioneers into the scientific probes into the possibility of the mysterious creature.

In a statement released on social media, one of Jeffrey's best pals David Paulides confirmed the zoologist's death, writing: "It is with extreme sadness that I tell you that Dr Jeff Meldrum has passed away. Jeff was the consummate gentleman, and a friend that I did many, many conferences with.

"His family said that he had a brief battle with brain cancer that took his life. The family is asking for privacy." Jeffrey Meldem first earned his credentials as a zoologist whilst studying at Brigham Young University in 1982. After graduating from the Mormon-run university, he stayed there in order to earn his masters, specialising in vertebrate locomotion.

Dr Jeffrey Meldrum was confirmed to have passed away at the age of 67 by a close friend (Image: Jeff Meldrum)

Five years later, Meldrum earned his doctorate at Stony Brook University in the anatomical sciences, with a particular focus on biological anatomy. However, it was after his academic journey that he began to turn to the question of Bigfoot.

Whilst working as an academic at the Idaho State University, Jeffrey would publish numerous academic papers looking into the possibility of the mysterious creature's existence. He regularly gave speeches insisting that the animal did exist, with his most recent comments on the matter coming just last year as he delivered an address at the university he worked at.

His most well-known article on the existence of Bigfoot came in "Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science", which looked into his claims of the creature's potential life, before stacking it up against other scientists’ evaluations. The controversial book also took to looking at the history of such a creature, including its presence in "tribal people’s traditional knowledge".

Much of Meldrum's work went into positive proof of the existence of Bigfoot (Image: Bettmann Archive)

After hearing of his death, several of Jeffrey's colleagues and supporters offered their condolences following his death. Many people flocked to social media to offer their own personal messages of support, wishing he rest in peace.

One distraught user penned: "Rest in peace, Doctor. I hope he finds the truth that he was looking for." The original person who broke the news of his death responded: "He has all the answers now."

Several of Dr Jeffrey's supported have been mourning his loss (stock) (Image: Getty Images)

A second account lamented: "Sad. RIP to Dr. Meldrum; the most important Sasquatch researcher in Academia and I wonder if any professor can fill his big shoes." While a third admitted that his death will leave a huge hole in Bigfoot research.

"Oh man, so sorry to hear," the person sobbed. "Been a fan of his for a long time; was so so so hoping that positive proof of Bigfoot was there in his life time. And by that I mean solid scientific proof and expectance by the scientific community and that he’d be a part of that."