MWS Press Release from October 16, 2015

[Augusta, Maine – Friday, October 16, 2015]

The Maine Warden Service believes that skeletal remains discovered

in Redington Township are likely those of hiker Geraldine Largay

missing since July 22, 2013. Positive identification will be determined

in the coming weeks by the Medical Examiner’s Office, however, due

to the location of the remains and evidence gathered at the scene the

Maine Warden Service feels confident that Geraldine has now been

located.

The remains were found Wednesday morning October 14 by a

contractor conducting a forestry survey as part of an environmental

impact statement on property owned by the US Navy in Redington

Township. The contractor reported his findings to the Navy who

subsequently alerted the Maine Warden Service. Personnel to include

game wardens, State Police detectives, Naval Criminal Investigative

Service (NCIS) investigators, and a Medical Examiner’s Office

representative hiked to the scene of the remains yesterday morning.

The scene included skeletal remains and several pieces of clothing

and belongings consistent with items known to be in Largay’s

possession. The remains were located west of the Maine Public

Reserve Land that contains a portion of the Appalachian Trail (AT)

and about 3,500 feet east of the easterly shore of Redington Pond

(see accompanying topographic map). The remains will be examined

to determine the cause of death although investigators do not believe

foul play is involved at this time.

These findings will bring closure to one of Maine’s most unique and

challenging search and rescue incidents. Geraldine “Gerry” Anita

Largay, age 66, started her hike on the AT in April of 2013 at Harpers

Ferry, West Virginia; her trail name was “inchworm.” Her destination

was Baxter State Park in Maine. Her husband George kept track of

her along the way and made frequent pre-determined stops to

resupply her.

On the morning of Sunday, July 21, 2013 she departed from her

husband at the Route 4 AT crossing in Sandy River Plantation near

the town of Rangeley. Later that day she texted her husband and

advised she was on top of Saddleback Mountain. Geraldine was last

seen on the early morning of July 22 at Poplar Lean-to on the

Appalachian Trail (AT) in Maine. The attached photo of Geraldine

was taken July 22 at Poplar Lean-to and is the last known photo of

her. She was planning to hike that day to Spaulding Lean-to in

Redington Township, approximately eight miles to the north.

The following day, July 23, she had planned to continue hiking north

from Spaulding Lean-to located in Mount Abram Township to meet

her husband who was waiting for her at the Route 27 crossing.

Geraldine never arrived at that location. Until yesterday, search

efforts yielded no clues that could be attributed to Largay.

The Largay family has asked for time to come to terms with this new

information before making any further public statement, but did want

to express gratitude to all the searchers and investigators who have

taken the time to search for Gerry. The family has been in contact

with Maine Warden Service investigators and has been updated

routinely about searches and investigative leads regarding her

disappearance.

This incident remains under investigation. No further information is

available at this time.

Remains of Geraldine Largay Found!

There is a great deal of excitement, emotion, questions, sadness and relief among the 29 FSAR team members surrounding this announcement. Over the past 2 years, we have not given up searching for Gerry. Members were involved in Largay searches as recently as the past 2 weekends and we have (had) another scheduled for the 25th.

We are all VERY interested in learning the details (today at 1 p.m.) of the location and details of this find.

Hat's off to the entire volunteer SAR community in Maine. What an outstanding group of dedicated and skilled and hard working volunteers that have supported this find that has finally brought closure for the Largay family.

-Mit

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[Augusta, Maine – Friday, October 16
NEWS CONFERENCE – Maine Warden Service
Topic: The Maine Warden Service believes that skeletal remains discovered in Redington Township on Wednesday, October 14 are likely that Geraldine Largay, an Appalachian Trail hiker missing since July 22, 2013. Positive identification will be determined in the coming weeks by the Medical Examiner’s Office, however, due to the location of the remains and evidence gathered at the scene the Maine Warden Service feels confident that Geraldine has now been located.
When: 1:00 PM - Friday, October 16, 2015
Contact: Game Warden John MacDonald (Maine Warden Service PIO)
John.macdonald@maine.gov
207-557-0818
Please join us today at 1:00 PM for details. Representatives from the Maine Warden Service and the Navy’s NCIS team will be available for comment and questions. A news release will also be distributed by 2:00 PM this afternoon that will include today’s news conference details. No further information is available at this time.

Wilderness First Aid with Paul Marcolini at KFD