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A tragic discovery was made on Tuesday (June 3) when the body of Tim Keiderling, a 58-year-old father from Ulster Park, was found near the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine. Keiderling and his 28-year-old daughter, Esther, were reported missing after they set out on a hiking trip on Sunday (June 1). The pair was last seen leaving Abol Campground around 10:15 a.m. to hike the challenging trails of Mount Katahdin.
The search for the Keiderlings began on Monday (June 2) after their vehicle was found in a day-use parking lot, indicating they had not returned from their hike. Baxter State Park officials, along with the Maine Warden Service, deployed a search team that included 30 game wardens, K9 units, and helicopters from the Maine Forest Service and the Maine National Guard, equipped with infrared imaging technology.
According to Backpacker, the search efforts intensified on Tuesday, leading to the discovery of Tim Keiderling's body on the Tableland, near the summit of Katahdin, at approximately 2:45 p.m. Despite extensive efforts, Esther Keiderling remains missing, and the search continues.
Baxter State Park has closed the Hunt and Abol Trails to assist with the ongoing search. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Esther's whereabouts or who was near the summit of Katahdin on Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to contact Houlton State Police at 207-532-5400.
The search is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Anyone who needs to talk can call 800-273-8255 no matter the time of day.