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Drifter Gets Life in Hiker Murder

'He should stay alive and slowly rot,' says victim's mother

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 1, 2008 6:42 AM CST

(Newser) – A Georgia drifter who pleaded guilty to killing 24-year-old hiker Meredith Emerson was sentenced yesterday to life in prison, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Gary Michael Hilton, 61, led police to the victim's decapitated body on Blood Mountain days after her disappearance. Hilton had been charged... Read full story »

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An account of Meredith's last days
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

US • Crime & Courts

crime • Meredith Emerson • Georgia hiker • Gary Michael Hilton

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Killer: Georgia Hiker 'Wouldn't Stop Fighting'

Drifter tells cops she very nearly bested him in 3-day ordeal

(NEWSER) - The Georgia hiker kidnapped on New Year’s Day used every ounce of her formidable strength, martial arts training, and wit to stay alive for 3 days, her killer told authorities. Gary Michael Hilton said Meredith Emerson fought back tenaciously when he demanded her ATM card, and managed to stall him for days, amid several brushes with authorities, by giving him false PIN codes. More»

Hiker Possibly Still Alive When Suspect Spotted

She may have been trussed up in van at restaurant stop

(NEWSER) - Witnesses saw a "real fidgety" suspect Gary Hilton at a Georgia restaurant when kidnapped hiker Meredith Emerson was probably still alive in his van parked outside, CNN reports. The owner of a restaurant eight miles from where Emerson's decapitated body was found says Hilton came into the diner a day before police believe Emerson was killed. More»

Suspect in Ga. Hiker's Murder Denied Bail

Autopsy shows she was held captive for 3 days, bludgeoned

(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. More»

Hiker's Friends Remember Slain 'Angel'

Her accused killer named as suspect in three more murders

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of people packed a Georgia church yesterday to remember slain hiker Meredith Emerson as both a "firecracker" and an "angel," the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "Her light is reflected in your eyes," said her mother, who took the podium when Meredith's nephew became overcome with emotion. The family also brought Meredith's beloved lab mix, Ella. More»

Suspect Leads Cops to Missing Hiker's Body

Alleged kidnapper eyed in three other hiker deaths

(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. More»

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Drifter Gets Life in Hiker Murder

'He should stay alive and slowly rot,' says victim's mother

crime • Meredith Emerson • Georgia hiker • Gary Michael Hilton

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More Newser Stories

Killer: Georgia Hiker 'Wouldn't Stop Fighting'

Drifter tells cops she very nearly bested him in 3-day ordeal

Hiker Possibly Still Alive When Suspect Spotted

She may have been trussed up in van at restaurant stop

Suspect in Ga. Hiker's Murder Denied Bail

Autopsy shows she was held captive for 3 days, bludgeoned

Hiker's Friends Remember Slain 'Angel'

Her accused killer named as suspect in three more murders

Suspect Leads Cops to Missing Hiker's Body

Alleged kidnapper eyed in three other hiker deaths

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