A Myerstown man has been confirmed as deceased following his disappearance in mid March.
According to his obituary, Karl F. Messerschmidt was born in Hershey October 29, 1972, and graduated from ELCO in 1990. After ELCO, he attended Pennsylvania College of Technology, where he graduated in 1993. After graduating, Messerschmidt worked in the electronics, communications, and computer fields.
Messerschmidt was also an avid HAM radio operator, holding the call sign KA3RCS. His family said that he enjoyed hiking, mountain views, geocaching, and loved his Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and dreamed of moving to Arizona.
Lancaster area police became involved in the investigation began Monday March 18 with a call from Pennsylvania State Police, who indicated that Messerschmidt was possibly suicidal and his Jeep had been found parked at Middle Creek, unoccupied for approximately four days.
An intensive search of the area was held over March 18 to March 20. Search resources include drones, horse-mounted teams, ATV searchers, foot searchers, law enforcement help, EMS help, Pennsylvania State Police aviation resources, and logistics teams helping organize the effort.
Messerschmidt’s body was found the morning of Saturday, March 30. The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office told Fox43 that he had died of self-inflicted wounds.
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In addition to extended family, Messerschmidt is survived by his mother, Ellen Arnwine; sister, Julia Majury; and her husband, Kyle, of Elliottsburg, PA.
