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June 3, 2025
MDIFW NEWS: Baxter State Park Rangers Lead Search for Missing Father and Daughter Last Seen Near Summit of Katahdin
Editor's Note: The attached photo is of Tim and Esther Keiderling. For More Information, Please Contact Kevin Adam, Baxter State Park Director, kevin.adam@baxterstatepark.org. This release is sent on behalf of Baxter State Park by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
BAXTER STATE PARK, Maine -- Baxter State Park Rangers are leading the search for two missing hikers who were last seen on the Katahdin Tablelands this past Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Tim Keiderling, age 58, and his daughter Esther Keiderling, age 28, both of Ulster Park, New York had left Abol Campground on Sunday to hike to the summit of Katahdin. They were last seen at approximately 10:15 a.m. heading towards the summit.
Baxter State Park Rangers began searching yesterday morning (Monday, June 1) after discovering that the Keiderlings vehicle was still in the day-use parking lot. Baxter Park Rangers actively searched the Abol Trail the Hunt Trail, including the Katahdin Tablelands, and found no sign of the father and daughter.
Baxter State Park Rangers expanded their search on Katahdin this morning, 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 is also assisting, searching the area from the air with three helicopters. The Maine Army National Guard also responded with a Blackhawk and a Lakota Helicopter outfitted with an infrared thermal imaging device.
At his point, searchers from the ground and air have not found any traces of the missing hikers. The search will continue through the daylight hours. Baxter State Park has closed the Hunt and Abol Trails on Katahdin in order to assist with the search. At this time, volunteer searchers are not needed.
Anyone who was on or around the summit of Katahdin Sunday between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., or who otherwise has any information regarding the location of Tim and Esther Keiderling, is asked to call Houlton State Police at 207-532-5400.
This release will be updated when new information becomes available.