[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.
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