Missing Hiker Found Dead In Georgia

Body Found Hours After Judge Denied Bond To The Man Accused Of Kidnapping Her

(CBS/AP)  Authorities found the body of a missing hiker Monday, hours after a judge denied bond to the man accused of kidnapping her in the mountains of northern Georgia.

Investigators were also examining whether the death and the disappearance of two elderly hikers in October in North Carolina were related.

A source close to the investigation, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity, said the remains of 24-year-old Meredith Emerson had been found. The disclosure came after authorities scheduled a "major announcement" in the case in Dawson County, south of where Gary Michael Hilton, 61, appeared in court.

Family spokeswoman Peggy Bailey confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the body had been found. "We did find out just now, not that it was unexpected," Bailey said.

Hilton is charged with kidnapping with intent of bodily injury, and more charges could be added, Enotah Judicial District Attorney Stan Gunter said. Gunter said he expects Hilton to be indicted within 90 days.

Hilton did not speak during his first appearance before Union County Magistrate Judge Johnie M. Garmon. Hilton's attorney, Neil Smith, did not enter a plea on Hilton's behalf.

Investigators said Hilton, who was detained Friday, was the last person seen with Emerson on the trail. He had tried to use Emerson's credit card, according to his arrest warrant.

Three bloody fleece tops and a bloodstained piece of a car's seat belt were found in a trash bin beside a convenience store where Hilton had used a pay phone, the warrant stated. Hilton had tried to vacuum and wash portions of his 2001 Chevrolet Astro van, which was found without the rear seat belt, according to the document.

Hilton was not cooperating with authorities, said Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman John Bankhead.

Gayle Bachelor, an officer at the Union County jail, declined to allow The Associated Press to speak with Hilton by phone.

Authorities said they are exploring whether the disappearance of a couple in North Carolina is related to that of Emerson. John and Irene Bryant, both in their 80s, had gone hiking in the western North Carolina mountains in October.

Irene Bryant's body was found in November; authorities say she was killed with a blow to the head. Her husband remains missing but is presumed to have been killed.

Sheriff David Mahoney of North Carolina's Transylvania County agreed that there are similarities "that we're certainly wanting to look more closely at - nothing that we can release at this point."

Mahoney did note that authorities in both cases were looking for someone wearing a yellow jacket, and that an ATM transaction was made with the Bryants' card about 50 miles from the area of the Georgia investigation.

Hilton was a drifter well known in the area and was often seen with his dog, Dandy, and a police-style baton, Union County Sheriff Scott Stephens said.

Emerson was last seen hiking with her dog in Vogel State Park, about 90 miles north of Atlanta. The dog was found 50 miles away Friday in a grocery store parking lot in Cumming, a suburb north of Atlanta, and identified using an implanted microchip.

Vogel is one of Georgia's oldest and most popular state parks. The area includes a segment of the Appalachian Trail, the hiking route that stretches from Georgia to Maine.

Friends of the 24-year-old hiker had held a candlelight vigil Sunday, reported The Early Show.

Emerson's boyfriend Steve Segars described Meredith Emerson as "brilliant."

"She shines," he told the The Early Show. "She is the single most amazing thing in this world."

[jarheadcwo3]

I hope Hilton is found guilty and sentenced to a quick, merciless and painful death.

I know all too well the pain her parents and relatives are experiencing.

Charles H.
USMC (ret)

[jarheadcwo3]

I hope Hilton is found guilty and sentenced to a quick, merciless and painful death.

I know all too well the pain her parents and relatives are experiencing.

Charles H.
USMC (ret)

[stevenga777]

It''s a good day for a hanging.

[wheezel3]

wheezel hopes creep-monster Hilton is abused in jail and dies very slowly. Women, now you must carry guns, carry and shoot to kill, also stand up and ask candidates what they will do to stop this U.S. culture of killing women, children, and the weak.

[missut2]

My deepest sympathy to Meredith''s family and friends.
What will happen to his dog, Dandy and her dog, Ella? I care very much about their dogs...
I don''t give a tinker''s *** what happens to Hilton.

[gunownerdan]

Self defense is the most basic of human rights.

www.a-human-right.com

Finally a Judge got it right.

[joyous88]

The solution to this case is quite obvious, to anyone honest enough to look for it.

Like all other cases in our country;
Bill Clinton did it!

[searingtruth]

Another precious child lost.

My friends, an innocent life cannot be replaced, and an unjust world cannot be justified.

We will never completely eliminate evil, but there is much we could do to greatly lesson its presence.

And yet in this country and abroad we are doing everything we can to make it feel at home.

My sincere condolences to the Emerson family, and all who knew and loved her. The joy on Meredith''s face, and on the face of her beloved pet Ella, reflect the love and compassion that most certainly dwelt in her heart.
ST


"Children should not know fear, or death, or suffering, for it is not their lot to know. Theirs is a time for joy, and wonder, and a time of great discovery. Let them never despair, or hurt, or want. This should be our highest calling, and our most sincere dedication."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[joyous88]

scarlettphd

phd in offensive, shut up ***!

[ubrew12]

When you are hiking and backpacking, you are at extreme helplessness when attacked by a predator (human or otherwise). The advantage regarding human predators has always been that they are lazy motherfvckers and would typically not be found out where you are hiking.

I hope that is not changing. Hiking and backpacking are two activities that truly have the capacity to CHANGE YOUR WORLDVIEW for the better. Everything must be done to help continue these inalienable human rights in this alienly redividist ''civilization''.

[michellem99-2009]

WHAT A PITY..Love and prayers .

[searingtruth]

"... you are at extreme helplessness when attacked by a predator ..."
ubrew12


Indeed, nature is an awesome adventure that we all should experience.

But for many years I have advocated that citizens, especially women, purchase handguns, gun safes, and trigger alarms for their personal protection.

Imagine you were a woman in the last few desperate moments of your life as someone was strangling, beating, and raping you. Wouldn''t you give anything to have a weapon by your side? Even if the weapon were taken and used against you, at least you would have had the chance to fight.

And indeed in many circumstances like this, when women did have handguns, many were able to save their own lives and debilitate or kill their attackers.

But for those in the NRA who may be jumping up and down with glee, sit back down.

I only advocate that the public be allowed weapons for self defense, not assault rifles and machine guns. And I advocate that all sales of firearms at "gun shows" immediately be halted.

The local police should be allowed to issue temporary 30 day permits for immediate weapons rental and training in domestic violence or other situations, but other than that there should be a national two week waiting period for the purchase of any firearm.

And the gun safes and trigger alarms I mentioned above would be mandatory, with a 10 year prison sentence, on top of any other, if someone is hurt because they weren''t used.
ST

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[michellem99-2009]

sharlotphd yer got homework to do learn the socal graces known as manners. Yer know what I mean. Go hit the books. No sassing aback..
I hate that killers steal her life . She looked so happy with her dog. Rest in peace dear.

[kennergirl]

CNN has reported that he told them where to find her body. I was hoping that they would find her somewhere alive but in reality I knew that she was probably dead not long after she was kidnapped by this jerk. They say they found her 30 miles or so away from where she disappeared. Her poor family...I feel so sorry for her mother and father. I can''t imagine losing my child.

[ringading3]

Why does CBS provide a comment site that allows every *** with a computer to post foul and putrid language and rants?

[ubrew12]

searing truth said: "I have advocated that citizens, especially women, purchase handguns, gun safes, and trigger alarms for their personal protection."
Sure, no argument. Handguns are heavy so try to find plastic alternatives. If you''ve ever backpacked in the wild you know that weight is at a premium. Make ''em light and you''ll get buyers, including myself, more for the occassional bear or (heaven forbid) mountain lion than for the (truly incredibly unlikely) human predator. I truly weep for any hiker or backpacker assaulted by this kind of scum. Such outdoor activities are all too rare in our society (replaced lately by video and role-playing games), but should be encouraged. I don''t expect human predation of backpacking/hiking activities has increased over its historical norm, but have no problem with a prudent (esp female) hiker/backpacker ''packing'' a handgun (esp plastic) for self-defense. Also consider mace, pepper spray, etc. But definitely GET OUT THERE!!!!! There''s too much that''s lost by not having a one-on-one with God''s good earth.

[rbccwong]

Why are these kinds of creepy and vulgar comments in your forum? It''s okay to argue with each other but this is just horrible and look at the sign in name? ''TarBabyNigr'' I know that everything can''t be sensored but when this kind of garbage is in the comments section, it is hard to take any comment seriously. I have wanted to comment before but it seems these forums are so crowded with uncompassionate, angry people. (sprinkled among the very reasonable ones) Can CBS please put in a moderator and keep these pathetic people out? Please? My sincerest condolences to the family of this precious young woman.

[searingtruth]

"searing truth said: "I have advocated that citizens, especially women, purchase handguns, gun safes, and trigger alarms for their personal protection."
Sure, no argument. Handguns are heavy so try to find plastic alternatives. ..."
ubrew12


Fellow citizen, I understand where you''re going with this, and agree that ceramic guns are necessary under some circumstances. But I don''t want this discussion to deviate from the memory of Meredith. I just wanted to mention protection for the many like her who may be perusing these forums completely unaware of their options in hopes that they would at least think about protecting themselevs when no one else can.

But I hope we can debate the issues of gun ownership/control during other more directly relevant topics in the future.
ST


"The depth of human compassion may be measured by how often they forgive their gods."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[searingtruth]

"Why are these kinds of creepy and vulgar comments in your forum? ..."
rbccwong


Fellow citizen, I understand our disgust, and often even more painful, physical anxiety over comments that do not deserve to be aired.

But if we did not hear them, how could we know they exist, and protect ourselves from those who would advocate them?

That is the secret power of free speech, which our founding fathers realized so many hundreds of years ago.

Those who are always free to speak, are always free to reveal their true innermost self.

Which, in the end, benefits all.
ST


"Simple answers do not exist in a world of great complexity. We must sacrifice our instinctive desire for the quick and easy to instead embrace the enduring and efficacious, or we, as a species, will not survive."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[rbccwong]

Thanks ST I actually never thought of it that way. You''re right, we have to be transparent so we will know what''s out there - then just hope that what''s out there gets it''s due. I was thinking about how the family must feel reading some of the comments but I guess we''re all thinking that to a certain extent. Anyway, yeah, that''s correct.

[sunlocke-2009]

No Natalee was from Birmingham, Alabama. My wife agrees with Nancy as to the reasons. She also believes rape, molestation and murder of women is a "CONTROL" thing with the perverts.

[mythuliedog]

A small caliber handgun would not weigh too much. In any case, packing a few extra ounces as prevention, is a small matter in face of the consequences. I went on a 5 day backpacking trip with my daughter a few years ago. You can bet I was packing a couple extra pounds in my pack in the form of a Ruger Blackhawk .357 mag!! Fortunately, we had no encounters, animal or human, that required it''s use. To me it''s like American Express, "Never leave home without it!"

[jetlizhan]

because our world is getting so evil, i expected them to find a body and not a live girl. so sad and so senseless. i look at the killer''s face in this pic and see the last thing this girl saw before she died. he doesn''t deserve the air he breathes.

[kattyclayz]

It''s not much to really be happy for, but at least Meredith''s family at least has her body to be able to finally lay to rest. I feel so badly for this deceases woman and her family. She was only 24 and had so much of her life left to live. I hope that this guy goes to jail and gets whatever he did to her, done to him.

[excoachken]

A sad story of a naive woman, who thought she had the freedom to go for a walk and gets ripped off by a sick dude. I see a lot of "quick fixes" in the comments, but I am afraid it was two people from different worlds who happened to meet in one place. I feel truly sorry for her friends and family and equally sad that we were not able to identify and change his behavior earlier. This phenomenon shows that we all have work to do in creating a safer society.

[cricketmk3]

Nancy_Naive, Natalee was from Mountain Brook (Birmingham), AL. I would hardly call that "born-in-the-sticks". We do have running water down here now. These types of heinous crimes happen everywhere and yes...going just about anywhere alone is not smart but we always think these things won''t happen to us.

[Krazcarl]

nancy_niave...That was crude but unfortunatly true.

[neenga]

"Born-in-the-sticks girls?" Most of them could kick your butt into next year!

And her dog ... the dog was found 50 miles away ... none of the articles indicate whether it was dead or alive.

[gunownerdan]

"We live in a world where more and more women are unaccompanied at odd hours, or they are vulnerable in dangerous places - a world where restraining orders are often ineffective and the police cannot be counted upon to arrive in time, if at all. In such a world, women must be able to protect themselves." -- Mary Zeiss Stange, "Guns, like abortion, are a matter of choice"

Self Defense
A-HUMAN-RIGHT.com

[Krazcarl]

NEENGA....I was wondering the same thing murder a lady and take the dog for a ride and dump it there is some serious mental illness here and more to this tail.

[Krazcarl]

gunownerdan...I support your right to carry a murderous weapon lets get honest it''s all it is good for. I''ve read your post and mostly agree with you but sone folks don''t need a sling shot let alone a gun.

[closethippy1]

From the article:
"Hilton was a drifter well known in the area and was often seen with his dog, Dandy, and a police-style baton, Union County Sheriff Scott Stephens said."

Why are mentally ill people allowed to roam around freely?
I hope whatever universal health care plan we adopt will take this folks off the street and into the hands of professionals who can help them.

[johnny_chaos]

My guess is Hilton led GBI to her body due to deal to avoid capital punishment. he probably whacked her from behind which means a gun wouldnt have helped. if meredith had a gun, it would have ended up in Hiltons hands. grapple/impact ambush attacks make weapons almost uesless for the victim.

[johnny_chaos]

the reason the mentally ill are allowed to "roam free" is Reaganomics

[guysdigdirt]

Why are mentally ill people allowed to roam around freely?
I hope whatever universal health care plan we adopt will take this folks off the street and into the hands of professionals who can help them.
Posted by closethippy1

The homeless will not go to these programs on their own accord. There are programs and we cannot get them to go now, why would a health plan make it any different?

[guysdigdirt]

And her dog ... the dog was found 50 miles away ... none of the articles indicate whether it was dead or alive.
Posted by neenga

The first indication they had that she was in trouble was when the dog wandered into a store, on its own and alone, 50 miles from where she was supposed to be. That would mean it was alive.

[docadams3]

Has everyone on this comments section lost their minds? What does any of this have to do with the story?

[nirak2-2009]

They lost their way docadams. LOL

[closethippy1]

Has everyone on this comments section lost their minds? What does any of this have to do with the story?
Posted by docadams3 at 03:25 PM : Jan 08, 2008

It has everything to do with it. It was Reagan who first let crazies into the street when he began cutting down government programs his rich friends didn''t have any use for.
And now look at the consequences and how many people have suffered because of it. I hate it when I see them begging for money on the streets and next to exit ramps.
Once I gave $5 to this homeless guy and he followed me all the way to my car demanding five more. I thought he was going to whack me.

[johnny_chaos]

closethippy1... what you put down the blunt and answered your own question?

[johnny_chaos]

Winos suck.