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Suspect Leads Cops to Missing Hiker's Body

Alleged kidnapper eyed in three other hiker deaths

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 8, 2008 4:21 AM CST
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(Newser) – A drifter accused of kidnapping 24-year-old hiker Meredith Emerson led police to her body last night, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The body was found in a Georgia forest about 10 miles from where Emerson's bloodied clothing was discovered last week after her dog wandered into a store. Gary Michael Hilton, 61, is in jail charged with kidnapping and bodily injury in the case. The two were seen hiking together with their dogs.

Officials wouldn't comment on new charges facing Hilton. "There's a lot going on in this case right now," one said. Investigators are now looking into links between Hilton and the disappearance of an elderly couple from North Carolina, who also disappeared while hiking, and the death of a female hiker in Florida.

Gary Michael Hilton, left, talks to to his public defender Neil Smith, right, following a first appearance in Union County Magistrate Court in Blairsville, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Hilton is charged in the disappearance of disappearance of a female hiker, Meredith Emerson. (AP Photo/Ben Gray,Pool)
Gary Michael Hilton, left, talks to to his public defender Neil Smith, right, following a first appearance in Union County Magistrate Court in Blairsville, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Hilton is charged...   (Associated Press)
Gary Michael Hilton, center, is led out of the court room following a first appearance in Union County Magistrate Court in Blairsville, Ga, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Hilton is charged in the disappearance of disappearance of a female hiker, Meredith Emerson. (AP Photo/Ben Gray,Pool)
Gary Michael Hilton, center, is led out of the court room following a first appearance in Union County Magistrate Court in Blairsville, Ga, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Hilton is charged in the disappearance...   (Associated Press)
In this May 2007 photo released by Pat B. Mitchell via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan. 3, 2008, Meredith Emerson is seen with her dog Ella, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Drifter Gary Michael Hilton has led police to her body. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Pat B. Mitchell via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
In this May 2007 photo released by Pat B. Mitchell via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan. 3, 2008, Meredith Emerson is seen with her dog Ella, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Drifter Gary Michael Hilton...   (Associated Press)
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Hiker suspect linked to slain couple
Associated Press

Accused kidnapper denied bail
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 
Florida • kidnapping • Georgia • North Carolina • hiking • Meredith Emerson • Gary Hilton • Georgia hiker

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