Ravines, Caves Searched for Georgia Grad

[Wayne Harrison]

Search and rescue teams spent a frigid night on Blood Mountain scouring trails, ravines, and caves for any sign of a missing University of Georgia graduate.

"We have nothing right now," Union County investigator Kimberly Verdone admitted Friday.

Meredith Emerson, 24, an avid hiker, was last seen on New Year's Day, talking to a weathered and toothless man who has been identified as Gary Michael Hilton, 60, of DeKalb County. Hilton is being sought for questioning by authorities.

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[wendy]

Are there many caves on Blood Mountain?

[graveleye]

a good source told me there is at least one cave in the Blood Mt area, although it is not a limestone cave and really doesn't go anywhere. I'm not sure if it's on the survey or not.

There are a lot of holes in this story that haven't been filled in yet. I think the police know a bit more than they are telling at the moment. We'll all just have to wait and see how it pans out. Hopefully for the best.

[wendy]

Well yesterday the police found the man that was the person of interest in the case at a gas station outside of Atlanta, and also the girls dog walked into a Kroger. Hopefully they will find her safe next.

[Bill Putnam]

There is not much limestone in the Blood Mountain area, but there are five known caves in Union County, including one small talus cave on Blood Mountain - Rockhouse Cave #2, aka Blood Mountain Cave. It is about 30 feet long and about 2 feet deep. Located at 4,450 feet ASL, it has the distinction of being the highest known cave in Georgia.

[Wayne Harrison]

The woman's dog was found 40 miles away from where her car was parked, so that adds a new wrinkle to the search.

[graveleye]

Wendy, the scary part is that they found the man down in Dekalb county, which is over 100 miles from the Blood Mt area. Her dog was found in Forsyth county, which is still an hour away from the AT, and 45 miles north of where the dude was found. There's no way that dog walked from the mountains down there. It's just way too far. I'm not too optimistic at this point.

[Wayne Harrison]

BLAIRSVILLE, Georgia (CNN) -- Investigators found IDs belonging to missing hiker Meredith Emerson along with blood-stained clothes, leading authorities to charge Gary Michael Hilton with kidnapping with intent to cause bodily injury, according to a criminal warrant filed Saturday.

The items were found in a trash bin of a convenience store next to the grocery store where Emerson's dog was found wandering around in the parking lot Friday about 50 miles from where she disappeared.

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[wendy]

Well they found her body.

Here was a nice, educated girl who knew self defense, and she still became a victim. Just reminds you not to be complacent and be aware of your surroundings. I often, well most always travel alone, which my mom hates. Actually thinking of this girl, kept me from camping alone this weekend.

[mgmills]

Well they found her body.

Here was a nice, educated girl who knew self defense, and she still became a victim. Just reminds you not to be complacent and be aware of your surroundings. I often, well most always travel alone, which my mom hates. Actually thinking of this girl, kept me from camping alone this weekend.

I agree Wendy, it is sad that our world is so dangerous. I live on the edge of a State Forest. I sometimes go hiking alone with my two dogs. I've always been friendly and will strike up a conversation with strangers in the checkout line at a store. I guess I won't be stopping to chat with strangers on a hiking trail.

I like to think the dogs (one 80 pounds and one 60 pounds) are a deterrent to those meaning harm but this girl had her dog along.

I read in one news release that they are trying to connect the guy they have in custody with the disappearance of an older couple who disappeared while hiking in NC in October. I think they found the woman's body but never found the husband's body.

[graveleye]

The more I hear about this story, the more incensed I become. I know he has his right to due process but it's pretty obvious that he did it. This man mutilated this young lady... for reasons only a sick mind could comprehend. There was no road rage or drugs or bad blood - they were on the AT out in the beautiful mountains for crying out loud. It's completely senseless. All I can think is that at least there is one less sicko on the trail now.
I'm not a fan of capitol punishment, but I think in this case I'll make an exception. It makes me angry to think that there are monsters like this walking about, especially in a place that's supposed to be sacred and beautiful. We all expect trouble in the bad part of town, but not the trail!!
I can't believe this guy was from my home town and the girl was from my county. The whole thing just makes me sick to my stomach and just makes me plain angry.

[Squirrel Girl]

It is a real tragedy. The guy must be sick or at least a horrible sociopath.

I have always, and still continue to do things, including camping alone. I've done so for nearly 30 years.

As tragic as this is, remember that today we get all bad news piped at us in living color. These kind of things happened in the past, too, but only in rare cases (e.g. Jack the Ripper) did they get the exposure to cause the horror.

I don't think I'll change my ways. It's always a good idea to be wary, but I'll still be friendly to people I meet on trails while out by myself.

[wyandottecaver]

since he apparently led authorities to the body after a plea deal, I would say a presumption of innocence is indeed a presumption...I agree with squirrelgirl that you can't live life in fear. Bad things happen, but it shouldn't stop us from enjoying the good things or good people.