Friends and foundation remember slain hiker Emerson

One year ago, Meredith Emerson disappeared when she and her dog went for a hike New Year’s Day on Blood Mountain in north Georgia. Her body was found a week later. Her abductor was soon caught and convicted--Gary Michael Hilton is serving a life term for the murder.

Friends of Meredith Emerson in the past year have raised money through the created Right to Hike Foundation. It has donated five-thousand dollars to the University of Georgia, the school Emerson graduated from. The money helps support a scholarship in Emerson’s name. The Foundation has also purchased 15 GPS units--those have been distributed to hiking outposts in north Georgia.

Hiker's killer gets life in prison

The man charged with murdering a Georgia hiker earlier this month has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to life in prison. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and bulletproof vest, Gary Michael Hilton entered his plea today before a judge in Dawson County Superior Court. The 61-year-old drifter was charged with killing 24-year-old Meredith Emerson January 4th, days after kidnapping her from a trail at Blood Mountain in north Georgia. The judge told Hilton could be up for parole in 30 years, but will likely die in prison of natural causes before then.

Service for slain hiker today in Athens

Meredith Emerson will be remembered in a memorial service this afternoon in Athens. An overflow crowd is expected to gather inside the Central Presbyterian Church at 2pm.

Emerson's body was found Monday night in Dawson County, following an exhaustive search since she went missing on New Year's Day in Vogel State Park. The man charged with her murder, Gary Hilton, has also been named a prime suspect in the death of another woman whose body was discovered in a Florida National Forest last month.

Bond denied for hiker's alleged attacker

Today a judge denied bond for a 61-year-old man accused of kidnapping missing hiker Meredith Emerson. Gary Michael Hilton did not speak during his first appearance before Union County Magistrate Judge. Hilton's attorney did not enter a plea on Hilton's behalf. Emerson's whereabouts remain a mystery as authorities continue to search for her in the north Georgia mountains where she disappeared New Year’s Day.

Search continues in north Georgia for missing hiker

The search resumes today for a Buford woman who went hiking with her dog Tuesday morning in the north Georgia mountains. A team of at least 30 emergency personnel and deputies will hit a 6-mile trail for a second day. Officials yesterday found the abandoned car of 24-year-old Meredith Emerson, near a trail that intersects with the Appalachian Trail.