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Search teams in Maine have recovered the remains of Esther Keiderling, a 28-year-old woman from Ulster Park near the summit of Mount Katahdin. Her body was discovered on Wednesday (June 4), just days after she and her father, Tim Keiderling, went missing during a hiking trip. The remains of her father, 58-year-old Tim Keiderling, were found the day before, on Tuesday (June 3), near the same area.
The father and daughter were last seen on Sunday morning (June 1) near the summit of Katahdin, having departed from Abol Campground. Their disappearance prompted a massive search effort led by Baxter State Park Rangers, who were joined by the Maine Warden Service, Maine Forest Service, and Maine Army National Guard. The search teams utilized helicopters and K9 units to comb the rugged terrain.
According to Baxter State Park Director Kevin Adam, the bodies were found in a wooded area off the Katahdin Tablelands, between two trails. However, the exact cause of their deaths remains unknown, and further details are expected to be released after search teams return to the base area.
Mount Katahdin, with an elevation of about 4,000 feet, is known for its challenging hiking trails. The Baxter State Park website warns that any hike to the summit is strenuous, typically taking between eight and 12 hours for a round trip.