The Minnesota Iceman is a purported creature frozen in a block of ice and displayed at state fairs or carnivals in an around Minnesota in the late 1960s as a "missing link". Some have suggested the creature was a bigfoot or yeti, while others contend it was a hoax.
Frank Hansen owned the "iceman," and made a number of contradictory statements as to its origin, and as to how he obtained it. These statements led to criticism and charges of a hoax. Hansen reportedly claimed he had a real frozen creature and a replica, but that he only exhibited the replica due to the original's value and fragility.
While touring with the iceman, Hansen was reportedly detained by Canadian customs officials, who were concerned he was transporting a cadaver, or a possible health risk. Hansen reportedly contacted his senator, Walter Mondale, who was able to "pull the right strings to let the Iceman come back home."
Two cryptozologists, Ivan Sanderson and Bernard Heuvelmans, examined the "iceman" and concluded it was a genuine creature, noting "putrefaction where some of the flesh had been exposed from the melted ice." Heuvelmans wrote a scientific paper about the iceman, while Sanderson wrote an article for Argosy magazine.
The Smithsonian was reportedly briefly interested in the iceman, asking Dr. John Napier to investigate, then suggesting the FBI investigate, due to reports that the creature had been shot and killed.
Shortly thereafter, the iceman disappeared from public display, withdrawn, Hansen said, by the California-based owner. In a 1995 interview, Hansen reported that "I never did find out" if the iceman was genuine.
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Last updated: 10-21-2005 23:56:47
