Missing Massachusetts Hiker Found Dead On Mount Lafayette In NH

FRANCONIA, NH — The body of a Massachusetts hiker was found on Wednesday, according to the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.

Fish and Game and first responders had been searching for Emily Sotelo, 19, of Westford, MA, since Sunday night after her family reported her missing. Earlier in the day, she was dropped off at Franconia Ridge, where she planned a solo hike for the day. When she did not return, family members became concerned and contacted the department, Lt. James Kneeland of the department said.

“Due to the harsh weather conditions, a search commenced Sunday evening and lasted through the night,” he said. “Searchers were hampered by high winds, cold temperatures, and blowing snow.”

For about 48 hours, searchers looked for Sotelo. On Tuesday, tracks and items belonging to Sotelo were located at the headwaters of Lafayette Brook. Conservation officers planned to concentrate the search effort in this area on Wednesday. Ground searchers located her body at 11:15 a.m.

A New Hampshire Army National Guard helicopter was able to help with the extrication of Sotelo to the Cannon Mountain Ski Area.

Many groups and agencies assisted Fish and Game during the search, including the Pemigewasset Valley Search and Rescue Team, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team, Mountain Rescue Service, Lakes Region Search and Rescue, Upper Valley Wilderness Response Team, New England K-9, New Hampshire Army National Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and the White Mountain National Forest. Fish and Game also thanked AT&T First Net and NH Emergency Management for their assistance.

Sotelo would have turned 20 on Wednesday and was a sophomore at Vanderbilt, according to press reports.

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