Death of LI hiker remains unexplained

Maine State Police are trying to determine how a Cherry Grove man hiking on the Appalachian Trail died.

The body of Michael Guerette, 51, was found Friday in Carrying Place Township in northern Franklin County, police said.

Guerette had been hiking alone for two weeks on a portion of the trail, Maine Public Safety Department spokesman Steve McCausland said.

Initially, it appeared that Guerette fell and hit his head, said officials from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

An autopsy failed to determine how Guerette died, state police said Monday. The medical examiner's office in Maine will conduct additional studies before reaching a determination on the cause of death, officials said.

Authorities are currently investigating Guerette's death as unexplained, police said.