Maine Rescue Crews Locate Body Of 2nd Missing Hiker In Baxter State Park

Maine rescue crews discovered the body of 28-year-old Esther Keiderling of New York  Wednesday afternoon in Baxter State Park, 1000 feet from where the body of her father, 58-year-old Tim Keiderling had been found the day before.

The Baxter State Park Director, Kevin Adam, said Maine Game Wardens and rescue personnel found the body in a rocky area near two trails around 1 PM Wednesday, 3 days after the pair went missing after hiking Mt. Katahdin.

"She was found in a boulder area between the Cathedral and Saddle Trails off the Tablelands, approximately 1000 feet from where her father was found yesterday. Searchers had been looking for Esther and her father, Tim Keiderling, since Monday, when they found their unattended vehicle in a day-use parking lot... They were last seen on the Abol trail at approximately 10:15 a.m. on the section known as The Tablelands."

Adams said the search for the Keiderlings was a massive effort aided by multiple agencies. While the mountain was searched by Maine Game Wardens, K-9 teams, Baxter State Park Rangers, and members of the Maine Association of Search and Rescue Team, the Maine Army National Guard and the Maine Forest Service searched the area from the sky in helicopters using thermal imaging cameras.

The details surrounding what led to the passing of both father and daughter have not yet been released. We will update the story as details become available.

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Our condolences go out to the Keiderling family, and our appreciation to the many men and women who worked to locate the missing hikers throughout the week.