Missing Since: 1983-05-20 Location: None, Maine
Hoover was last seen on May 20, 1983 at the Baxter State Park Headquarters in Millinocket, Maine. She had traveled from Texas to Maine to hike the Appalachian Trail, which extends along the East Coast from Maine down to Georgia. She was unfamiliar with the area, had no particular knowledge of hiking and no specialist equipment with her, and no more than $15 or $20 in cash. She planned to wire home for money and pick up her prescriptions as she passed through towns on the way. Hoover was going to climb Mount Katahdin on May 20, but park rangers refused to permit it because they felt she was unprepared. She was last seen at the trailhead of the 100-Mile Wilderness, the most remote stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Although hikers are advised to carry eight to ten days’ worth of food through the 100-Mile Wilderness, all Hoover had was some beef jerky. Temperatures in the area reached a high of 72 during the day, but fell down to around thirty degrees that night, and it was raining. Hoover could have developed hypothermia under those conditions. Hoover’s sister reported her missing on July 11, almost two months after she was last seen. An extensive search of the area turned up no sign of her, and no other area hikers remembered having seen her. Her case remains unsolved. Investigating Agency Maine State Police 207-941-4599 Source Information Maine State Police NamUs The Bangor Daily News Updated 4 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated June 12, 2019; distinguishing characteristics updated.