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Suspect in Ga. Hiker's Murder Denied Bail

Autopsy shows she was held captive for 3 days, bludgeoned

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2008 2:47 PM CST
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(Newser) – Gary Michael Hilton was denied bail this afternoon on murder charges in the gruesome death of 24-year-old Georgia hiker Meredith Emerson. The DA on the case says he has not decided whether to seek the death penalty, despite an agreement between Hilton and investigators to forgo it if Hilton led investigators to Emerson's body. Authorities now believe Hilton held Emerson captive for three days before bludgeoning her to death and decapitating her.

Hilton has two prior felony convictions, and police say he was likely a drifter, living in his white van, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Emerson’s family has gone into seclusion as the gruesome case has become national news. They have avoided news conferences and posted notes on their property asking the media to keep its distance.

Kyle Kleber, kneels in front of a picture of missing Atlanta hiker Meredith Emerson during a home town vigil, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 in Holly Springs, N.C. Authorities searching for the woman, who was last seen Wednesday, opened a second area of investigation Saturday at least 40 miles from...
Kyle Kleber, kneels in front of a picture of missing Atlanta hiker Meredith Emerson during a home town vigil, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 in Holly Springs, N.C. Authorities searching for the woman, who was...   (Associated Press)
Dawson County Sheriff's deputy Randy Harkenss points investigators down a dirt road going into Dawson Forest Tuesday Jan. 8, 2008, in Dawsonville, Ga. where the body of Meredith Emerson was found Monday after suspect Gary Michael Hilton told authorities where look for her body. Emerson vanished after hiking on New...
Dawson County Sheriff's deputy Randy Harkenss points investigators down a dirt road going into Dawson Forest Tuesday Jan. 8, 2008, in Dawsonville, Ga. where the body of Meredith Emerson was found Monday...   (Associated Press)
Gary Michael Hilton, left, glances up while talking 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,...
Gary Michael Hilton, left, glances up while talking 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....   (Associated Press)
Union County Magistrate Judge Johnie Garmon reads the charges against Gary Michael Hilton during his first appearance 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)
Union County Magistrate Judge Johnie Garmon reads the charges against Gary Michael Hilton during his first appearance in Blairsville, Ga. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Hilton is charged in the disappearance...   (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)
Gary Michael Hilton, left, talks to 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 death of hiker Meredith Emerson. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Gary Michael Hilton, left, talks to 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...   (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. The 24-year-old hiker has been missing since Tuesday. (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. The 24-year-old hiker has been...   (Associated Press)
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Dog returns to Emerson's family
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Family thanks volunteers, law enforcement
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hikers unsettled by grisly murder
Gainesville Times (Ga.)

Volunteer shares his mixed emotions during Emerson hunt
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 
death penalty • crime • kidnapping • Georgia • hiking • decapitation • missing person • Meredith Emerson • Gary Hilton • Georgia hiker

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