🗻 Raghu Kodali went hiking by himself on Saturday afternoon

🗻 A search was started late Saturday when he didn't return

🗻 Drones and K9s were used in a search


A New Jersey man was found dead in a wooded area off the Appalachian Trail on Sunday.

A 61-year-old  man from the Whitehouse Station section of Readington had parked his car near the Blue Mountain Ski Area in Lehigh Township on Saturday and went hiking alone, Lehigh Township Fire Commissioner Rick Hildebrand told LehighValleyLive.com.

Search launched late Saturday night

Hildebrand organized a search in the Blue Mountains late Saturday night with several other fire companies, search teams and K9 units.

Drone teams equipped with thermal imaging cameras were launched. Poor weather conditions limited the use, Hildebrand told LehighValleyLive.com. Kodali's body was found Sunday on the southern end of the ski area off the trail, according to Northampton County Coroner Zachary R. Lysek.

The cause and manner of death are pending.

ALSO READ:Rain of terror: Palestine protesters demand cover from weather

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

Has the time come to break NJ into separate states?

Should New Jersey be split up into multiple states? Here's what that might look like.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant

How much does parking cost at NJ fun spots?

It's great to spend time at New Jersey amusements and fun spots. Some places charge to both park and get into an attraction while others offer free parking. (information is as of April 22, 2024)

Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander

States with best and worst lifetime tax burden

Here's a look at U.S. states with the lowest lifetime tax burden and the highest, as analyzed by Self Financial — and just where New Jersey ranks, nationwide.

Gallery Credit: Erin Vogt