Officials Give Briefing After Body of Missing Hiker Found

Source: CNN

Video at link.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/video/?launchLivePlayer=true&eref=wdkalert&stream=2

went hiking. What a sad way for her family to have to face the new year.

I hate with a passion those men in this world who prey on women. Who make us fear being in the wilderness or even a city park alone enjoying nature. I would not mourn if it can be proven a man like this is guilty the death by death penalty.

This case haunted me. That picture of Meredith with her beloved dog Ella, holding up that certificate, both of them so proud and so happy.

I hope there is a hell and I hope the cretin who murdered her burns there forever.

Like I said cases like this where women, children or any innocent is murdered in cold blood make me wonder at times if for these murderers maybe shouldn't be put to death.

I remember when Ted Bundy was put to death I sure didn't question it that day. I only oppose it because I do fear there are innocent who may be put to death by the death penalty.

Source: Associated Press

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- A drifter charged with kidnapping a 24-year-old hiker led authorities to her body Monday in the mountains of northern Georgia, investigators said, hours after a judge denied him bond in her New Year's Day disappearance.

Authorities were also examining whether the death and the disappearance of two elderly hikers in October in North Carolina were related to the Georgia case.

Gary Michael Hilton, 61, showed investigators the spot where Meredith Emerson's body lay, said John Cagle, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Field Division.

Residents reported seeing Hilton's van in the Dawson Forest Management Area, where the body was found, miles from where Emerson was last seen, Cagle said. A search had been planned there before Hilton told authorities where to look, he said.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MISSING_HIKER?SITE=SCGRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

:(

WTF possesses these people?

They're sociopaths -- conscienceless, soulless, empathyless.

I have walked parts of the AT as day trips in the past, have picked up many hikers to give them rides back to the trail...never worried about them. They were nice folks, glad for the ride. Now I will be wary...such a shame!

I have never been to that forest and I doubt that I ever will now.

They were murdered along a trail my parents often walk -- or walked. Mr. Bryant's body was never found.

I myself go trail running, and know that I have much more to fear from two-legged predators than bears, coyotes, snakes, etc, We like to think we're safe from human predators in the wilderness, but it's unfortunately not true.

Peace to this young woman, the Bryants, and anyone else this scum slaughtered.

(It's odd to me he didn't kill her dog.)

We'd hate to lose you to a bear OR a crazy person!!

And, I don't go as much as I used to because I'm afraid. Which sucks.

on edit: Thank you! :pals:

Unfortunately in my state, criminals are the only ones who can carry guns ------ and they shoot and kill anyone who gets in their way. They kill pizza delivery men and taxi drivers with impunity

The thing is, I'm anti-handgun!

Oh, the irony!

While black bears have killed on VERY rare occasions they are not likely to attack unless provoked. (ie get in between a mother & cub)
Coyotes have a real fear of man, snakes will generally avoid you unless you step on them. Man is the only animal that will stalk you in the woods.

I have heard of numerous "predators" that hunt along the Appalachian trail. It is a very remote area that makes it easy for them to do whatever they want. I would not even think of hiking that trail without my sidearm. Better to have it & not need it rather than need it & not have.

A woman disappeared while walking her dog in Athens, Georgia, on December 29th as well. I hope this woman is getting enough police help since all the focus and media coverage has been on the woman in North Georgia and probably a lot of people have mixed the two up. What a horrible thing to happen to anyone.

http://onlineathens.com/stories/010808/news_20080108044.shtml