Gary Michael Hilton
I'm guessing that he is not related to the Hilton hotel empire.
Posted on 01/03/2008 6:00:17 AM PST by Dysart
UNION COUNTY, Ga. -- The search resumes Thursday morning in Union County for a missing hiker and her dog.
Friends believe Meredith Emerson, 24, from Gwinnett County, spent Tuesday and Wednesday night outside in the cold north Georgia mountains. Temperatures reached into the teens both nights.
Emerson's friends said she went hiking with her dog on Blood Mountain Trail Tuesday. Authorities said they have located Emerson's car and her dog's leash, but they have found no sign of Emerson or her black Lab. Emerson is 5'4", 120 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes.
"She's an experienced hiker and a blue belt in martial arts," said Julia Karrenbauer, Emerson's roommate. "She's athletic and has a good head on her shoulders. So we're just hoping for the best."
A command post was set up and volunteers and Union County officials searched the trails Wednesday. Authorities pulled all searchers from the trails just before 6 p.m. Wednesday. They will resume their search first thing Thursday morning. A Georgia State Patrol helicopter was going to take part in the search, but was forced to land due to high winds.
Union County Fire Department spokesman Lt. Jeff Fortenberry said up to 30 emergency personnel and deputies planned to search a mountainous, six-mile stretch of trails south of Blairsville on Thursday. He said investigators have found no signs of foul play.
Temperatures reached 13 degrees with the wind chill factor in the single digits Wednesday night. Union County received snow Tuesday night -- which canceled classes for that school system Wednesday and Thursday.
Please refresh this developing story for updates.
The dog was probably off the leash in the first place -- their finding the leash probably means only that she dropped it someplace, and not much more.
That article also says they found a police baton?
God bless Meredith Emerson, and her dog. Prayers for their safe return.
Strange.... but it suggests to me that she's not even in the area anymore. Somebody put her in a car, and took her someplace else.
I’ve had Labs. I’ve had a number of Breeds over the years. Yes, I remove the leash every chance I get and hang it over my shoulders but, I take it with me. There doesn’t need to be signs of ‘foul play’ for foul play to occur!
That was my first thought when I read that too.
This is my fear. It all sounds too planted for me. No woman should ever, with dog/gun/martial arts training or not, hike alone. She trusted someone. The authorities need to take a look at her computer.
Gary Michael Hilton
I'm guessing that he is not related to the Hilton hotel empire.
No, I don’t suppose he is! Thankyou for posting the pic! Although he is vaguely familiar, I wouldn’t have guessed he was from Gwinnette County but, now I’m not so sure. She was definately lured. He could have easily over powered her. My guess is that they may have met locally. With the weather advisories out, why would any experienced hiker go out at all? I need to make some phone calls. Thanks again!
I've hiked Blood Mountain. The side leading down to Neel's Gap (and the store) is pretty rough -- a steep hillside, with tight switchbacks on the trail. It wouldn't be difficult for someone to fall, or be pushed, from the trail and end up in a ravine.
It was VERY cold last night. The cabin on top of Blood Mountain is where a boy scout troop died after being caught in a blizzard one year.
The night of 1/1 was barely in the double digits in Atlanta -- of course, I assume it was considerably colder further north and at higher elevation. I don't recall the story about the scouts, and that surprises me -- the shelter on Blood Mountain is a sturdy rock building with a fireplace. Did none of the scouts or leaders know how to build a fire? Or did they leave the flue closed and die of CO poisoning?
No person should hike alone. Always bring a buddy. It's far too easy to break a leg or an ankle, and you need someone who can go and get (or provide) help.
I don’t know all the particulars and it was quite a few years ago. There has been no firewood up there since I was a young guy.
This was my initial guess inregards to the boyscouts.
Exactly. She didn’t think she was hiking alone with weather advisories! She was lured and thought she was safe. This is a particularly challenging area to hike in under the most favorable conditions. Common denominators: Hiking and Dogs.
There has been no firewood up there since I was a young guy.
Yep...i was up there in November...no fire wood, no windows in the shelter and the wind blows mighty hard up there....i hope she is ok but it doesn’t look good.
Police Question Man Seen With Hiker; Search Dumpster For Clues
This won't end well, I'm afraid.
Clearly this POS Hilton gave up some info, told them where to look.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.