Body Of Second Missing Hudson Valley Hiker Recovered

ULSTER COUNTY, NY — In a tragic turn of events, the bodies of a Hudson Valley father and daughter who went missing while hiking this weekend in Maine have been found.

Baxter State Park rangers led the search for the two missing Hudson Valley hikers who were last seen alive on the rugged Katahdin Tablelands.

Tim Keiderling, age 58, whose body was discovered on Tuesday, and his daughter, 28-year-old Esther Keiderling, whose body was recovered on Wednesday, both of Ulster Park, had left Abol Campground on Sunday to hike to the summit of Katahdin.

"We regret to share that at approximately 2:45 p.m. [Tuesday], a Maine Warden Service K9 search team located the body of Tim Keiderling on the Tableland, near the summit of Katahdin," Baxter State Park rangers said in a statement posted on social media. "The search efforts continue for Esther Keiderling. We know that many of our social media followers share in our deep sadness for the family and friends of Tim Keiderling, and appreciate your support as a teams continues the search for Esther."

Hours later, authorities released a second, heartbreaking statement.

"With heavy hearts, we must share the sorrowful news that, on June 4 at around 1:00 p.m., search teams discovered the body of Esther Keiderling in a wooded area of Katahdin’s Tableland," park rangers said. 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. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tim and Esther Keiderling’s family and friends."

Baxter State Park rangers began searching Monday morning after discovering that the Keiderlings' vehicle was still in the day-use parking lot. Rangers searched the Abol Trail, nearby the Hunt Trail, including the Katahdin Tablelands, and initially found no sign of the father and daughter.

Park rangers expanded their search on Katahdin, assisted by over 30 game wardens, including the Maine Warden Service Search and Rescue team and the Maine Warden Service K9 team. The Maine Forest Service also assisted, searching the area from the air with three helicopters. The Maine Army National Guard responded with a Blackhawk and a Lakota Helicopter outfitted with an infrared thermal imaging device.