Appalachian Trail hiker found dead in Northampton County, identified

A hiker found dead on the Appalachian Trail in Lehigh Township has been identified as Raghu Kodali of Readington Township, New Jersey.

Kodali, 61, was the subject of an hours-long search after he was reported missing on Saturday. His body was found near Blue Mountain Ski Resort around 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said the cause and manner of death remain under further investigation.

The search involved the Lehigh Township Fire Department, Wolfpack Search and Recovery and state police.