BLAIRSVILLE, Ga., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A 24-year-old missing hiker whose body was found in a Georgia forest was bludgeoned to death and then had her head cut off, an autopsy revealed Tuesday.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation released a statement saying Dr. Kris Sperry, the state's chief medical examiner, determined Meredith Emerson died of "blunt force trauma to the head" and then was decapitated, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Emerson's body was found Monday night after a suspect, Gary Michael Hilton, 61, allegedly supplied investigators with information leading them to her. Emerson had been missing since New Year's Day when she was seen walking with Hilton, who remained in custody after being charged with kidnapping and bodily injury, the Atlanta newspaper reported.
Meanwhile, Peggy Bailey, a spokeswoman for Emerson's family issued a brief statement on their behalf, thanking "the untold number of friends and volunteers and family who helped search and support all of us at this tragic and troubling time."
