Georgia Hiker

Stories

9 Stories

March 2008
- Killer: Georgia Hiker 'Wouldn't Stop Fighting'
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Mar 24, 08 8:36 AM CDT
  
  (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 »
February 2008
- Drifter Gets Life in Hiker Murder
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Feb 1, 08 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 with kidnapping and malicious murder and faced a possible death sentence. He is also a suspect in three other killings. More »
January 2008
- Hiker's Friends Remember Slain 'Angel'
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Jan 12, 08 8:16 AM CST
  
  (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 »
- Hiker Possibly Still Alive When Suspect Spotted
  
  CNN | Jan 11, 08 5:05 AM CST
  
  (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
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Jan 9, 08 2:47 PM CST
  
  (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 »
- Suspect Leads Cops to Missing Hiker's Body
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Jan 8, 08 4:21 AM CST
  
  (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 »
- Hiker Suspect Linked to Slain Couple
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Jan 7, 08 4:46 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - As the search for a missing Georgia hiker widens to five counties, authorities said the man accused in Meredith Emerson’s disappearance and presumed murder may be linked to the death of an elderly North Carolina couple who also disappeared while hiking. Gary Hilton, 61, has been charged with kidnapping Emerson with bodily injury and is due in court today. More »
- Man Charged with Kidnapping Georgia Hiker
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Jan 5, 08 10:08 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Police charged 61-year old Gary Hilton with kidnapping with bodily injury today in the case of a missing Georgia hiker, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Surveillance photos showed Hilton trying to use Meredith Emerson's credit card recently at a bank; police also linked his car, which has a seatbelt cut out, to a seat belt found "with apparent blood transfer stains." More »
- Searchers Zero In on Missing Hiker
  
  Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Jan 5, 08 2:03 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Rescuers have narrowed the search for Meredith Emerson, the 24-year-old hiker missing since New Year's Day, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Officials won’t say why, but they’re now concentrating their search on the 5-mile area where Emerson’s car was found. Police yesterday found Gary Hilton, the last person Emerson was seen with, but he’s not cooperating with investigators. More »