Search for woman continues in Bethel for Bethel woman

BETHEL — The search continued Thursday night for a Bethel woman missing since Tuesday afternoon.
Maine State Police, Game Wardens and volunteers were assisting Bethel police in the search for 40-year-old Kim Vanderlaan, last seen at her Route 26 home.
Vanderlaan disappeared sometime during the day Tuesday, according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland. Her boyfriend, John St.Hilaire of Bethel, reported Vanderlaan missing Tuesday night when he discovered her gone from the home.
Vanderlaan’s purse, keys and cell phone were left behind, McCausland said.
St. Hilaire notified Bethel police on Tuesday evening. Maine Wardens searched an area around her home on Wednesday and Thursday. McCausland said a larger organized effort would take place Friday. Searchers will gather at the nearby Hancock Lumber Co. yard on Route 26 starting at 7 a.m. Several tracking dogs will used in the search, McCausland said.
Vanderlaan is 5 feet, 3 inches tall, 130 pounds, with light brown hair. Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call state police in Gray at 1-800-228-0857 or 911 on any cell phone.
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: Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland released this photograph of missing Bethel woman Kim Vanderlaan late Thursday afternoon. Details about Vanderlaan’s disappearance are expected later Thursday. State police and Game Wardens are assisting Bethel police in the search, but state police are handling the investigation, according to Bethel police Chief Alan Carr.