A 61-year-old Georgia man has been charged with kidnapping with bodily injury in connection with the case of missing hiker, Meredith Emerson, after police found three blood-soaked shirts that belonged to the 24-year-old Buford woman. Investigators also have surveillance photos of Gary Michael Hilton trying to use Emerson's ATM card, they said at a news conference.
Hilton had been named as a "person of interest" in the case earlier because he had been seen talking with Emerson on the mountain trail where she was last seen. He was found at a gas station convenience store in the Atlanta area Friday and was held for questioning by DeKalb County police.
Also Friday, Emerson's dog Ella was found in Cumming, Georgia, near a grocery store.
Police said Hilton (pictured) was not cooperating with the investigation. He has two felony convictions; one for possession and distribution of marijuana, a second one for theft by taking. He also has an outstanding federal bench warrant for failing to appear in court on a charge of abandoning property in a national park.
Bad News Found in a Dumpster
When Hilton was arrested at the convenience store, investigators made the following discoveries:
- A portion of an automobile seat belt with blood transfer stains was found in a nearby dumpster. The rear seat belt of Hilton's Chevrolet van had been cut out.
- Hilton was attempting to vacuum the vehicle and wash it out with bleach and water when he was arrested.
- Emerson's wallet with her driver's license and student ID card was found in the dumpster.
- Three fleece tops "found to contain substantial amounts of human blood" were also in the dumpster.
Late Saturday, a Union County Superior Court judge signed the arrest warrant for Hilton and he was transferred to the Union County Jail in Blairsville.
Authorities no longer believe that Emerson is alive, telling family members that "the chances are slim to none that she's alive," according to a family member. The search continues for Emerson in the North Georgia Mountains, but it is now a search to recover her body, officials said.
Peggy Bailey, a spokesperson for Emerson's family, said they were devastated by the recent developments. "They still want to find her. They're not going to have any closure until she's found," Bailey told reporters.
See Also:
Family Told Chances "Slim to None" That Hiker Alive
Missing Georgia Hiker Believed Dead
Earlier Article:
Police Seek Clues in Missing Hiker Case
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Photos: Emerson: Family Photo; Hilton: Police Photo
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