Authorities seek person of interest in hiker case

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. --- Authorities said Thursday that they were seeking a person of interest in the disappearance of a 24-year-old hiker missing since Tuesday.

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Associated Press

In this May 2007 photo, Ms. Emerson is seen with her dog, Ella, in Flowery Branch, Ga. Authorities have announced that they have a person of interest in her disappearance. Witnesses told authorities they saw a man with Ms. Emerson several times at the park on New Year's Day. They believe the man is Gary Michael Hilton of DeKalb County, and he might drive a van.

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Associated Press

Union County firefighter Brad Niebrand (center) briefs volunteers before resuming Thursday's search for Meredith Emerson, 24, of Buford, Ga. Ms. Emerson was last seen on New Year's Day at Vogel State Park. She had gone hiking with her black lab.

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Associated Press

Doug Bailey, right, with wife Peggy, center, and son Stephen, godparents of missing Meredith Emerson, 24, hug each other for support Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, while rescue searchers comb Vogel State Park in Blairsville, Ga. Meredith was last seen on New Year's Day at the Park hiking with her black lab.

Police said the man, described as 60 years old and weighing 160 pounds, was seen several times on New Year's Day with Meredith Emerson, 24, a Colorado native now living in Buford, Ga.

Union County investigator Kimberly Verdone said witnesses said the man had a yellow backpack with enough gear for days. She said they described the man as "weathered and no teeth."

Officials said Thursday that they believe the man was Gary Michael Hilton of DeKalb County. They said it was possible he was driving a 2000-01 white Chevy Astro van.

Friends said Ms. Emerson went hiking with her black Labrador retriever on Tuesday.

Her 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier was found abandoned Wednesday at the base of Blood Mountain.

Police confirmed that a water bottle and dog collar found near a hiking trail belonged to her.

At the request of the Union County Sheriff's Department, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation sent four agents to join in the search Thursday morning, GBI spokesman John Bankhead said. The Georgia State Patrol pitched in with a helicopter.

"She's an experienced hiker and a blue belt in martial arts," said Julia Karrenbauer, Ms. Emerson's roommate. "She's athletic and has a good head on her shoulders. So we're just hoping for the best."