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Suspect In Georgia Hiker's Killing Linked To Florida Slaying

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By DORIE TURNER, The Associated Press

Published: January 10, 2008

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. - A drifter accused of kidnapping and decapitating a 24-year-old hiker in Georgia is now a suspect in the slaying of a Florida woman whose body was found last month in a national forest, authorities said Wednesday.

Gary Hilton, 61, made his first court appearance after being charged Tuesday with murder in the Georgia case. He was ordered held without bail.

Meredith Emerson died of a blow to the head three days after she disappeared during a New Year's Day hike, authorities said. An autopsy report said she was decapitated after her death, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which said it was not releasing the report because it is part of an ongoing investigation.

In Florida, the Leon County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that Hilton is a prime suspect in the death of Cheryl Hodges Dunlap, whose body was found Dec. 19 in the Apalachicola National Forest, southwest of Tallahassee.

Authorities say a masked person suspected in Dunlap's death used her ATM card three times after her disappearance Dec. 1.

Sheriff's Maj. Mike Wood said Wednesday authorities had confirmed Hilton was in the area at the time of Dunlap's disappearance.

Based on similarities between the Georgia and Florida cases and Hilton's presence in the area when Dunlap disappeared, Wood said Hilton is the focus of the Florida investigation.

Hilton led investigators to Emerson's body Monday evening after Georgia prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against him, officials said. He already had been charged Saturday with kidnapping with intent of bodily injury.

Hilton's attorney, Neil A. Smith, declined to comment, other than to say the case involved "significant mental health issues."

Hilton was the last person seen with Emerson on a hiking trail and had tried to use her credit card, according to an arrest warrant.

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