Tragic Discovery: Second Missing Hiker Found Dead in Maine After Extensive Search

Tragic Discovery: Second Missing Hiker Found Dead in Maine After Extensive Search

A second hiker, who had been missing since Sunday, was discovered dead in Maine on Wednesday, according to officials from Baxter State Park.

The hikers, Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter Esther Keiderling, 28, both residents of Ulster Park, New York, set out from the Abol Campground early Sunday morning with the aim of summiting the mile-high Mount Katahdin. They were last seen around 10:15 a.m. that day.

Concern for their safety mounted when family members lost contact with the duo on Sunday night. Subsequently, search efforts were initiated once park officials learned their car remained parked in a day-use lot.

Search Efforts Unfold

Search teams comprised of 25 Maine Game Wardens, four K9 teams, and 21 Baxter State Park Rangers were mobilized. The operation also included support from Maine Association for Search and Rescue members and specialized dog teams. Helicopters from both the Maine Forest Service and the Maine Army National Guard provided aerial assistance.

Despite the expanse of resources, search teams faced challenging weather conditions. On the day the hikers went missing, hikers reported freezing rain, fog, and patches of snow, complicating the already perilous situation.

Heartbreaking Updates

In a social media post on Wednesday, park officials revealed the heartbreaking news that Esther Keiderling’s body had been found at approximately 1 p.m. in the wooded area of Katahdin’s Tableland. The announcement echoed the shared grief among those following the search.

“With heavy hearts, we must share the sorrowful news that, on June 4, search teams discovered the body of Esther Keiderling,” the post stated. “We understand that many of our social media followers share in our profound sadness for the family and friends of Tim and Esther Keiderling. We appreciate your support for their loved ones and the members of the search teams during this incredibly difficult time.”

Tim Keiderling’s body was later recovered in the Tablelands area on Tuesday. His brother, Joe Keiderling, expressed his sorrow in a statement to WMTW-TV, describing Tim as someone who