Hiker Meredith Emerson Missing on Blood Mountain in Union County, Georgia

Police Now Suspect Foul Play in Her Disappearance

Steven Bryan
On January 1, Meredith Emerson of Gwinnett County, Georgia, disappeared while hiking on the Appalachian Trail on Blood Mountain in Union County, Georgia. Police now believe that Emerson, 24, could be the victim of foul play. Emerson is 5'4", 120 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes and was accompanied by her black Labrador, Ella.

Meredith Emerson Missing: The "Weathered Man"

WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia reports that Emerson was seen by other hikers in the company of a man between the ages of 50 and 60 with what witnesses describe as a "weathered" look. The suspect, who was driving a white minivan, is approximately 5'10" in height, weighs 160 pounds and is missing some teeth. He also had a red dog with him that he called "Dandy," but the Associated Press reports that this person of interest called his pet "Danny."

WSB-TV also reported that a police baton and sunglasses were found near Emerson's car, which was found covered in snow on the trailhead parking lot. Another hiker on Blood Mountain Trail reported seeing a man with a similar police baton clipped to his belt.

Meredith Emerson Missing: Temporarily Stopped Due to Darkness

WXIA Channel 11 in Mobile, Alabama reports that after calling off the search because of darkness and cold weather on Wednesday evening, officials have resumed their search for Meredith Emerson. Police have asked that other hikers stay off the trail so they may use an infrared sensor to detect body heat.

Meredith Emerson Missing: "No signs of foul play."

The Associated Press reports that Union County Fire Department spokesman Lieutenant Jeff Fortenberry said that up to 30 emergency personnel and deputies are searching a mountainous, six-mile stretch of trails south of Blairsville. He said that investigators have found no signs of foul play.

Meredith Emerson Missing: "Athletic"

The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Georgia reports that Julia Karrenbauer, Emerson's roommate, said that Meredith Emerson has a blue belt in martial arts. "She's athletic and has a good head on her shoulders. So we're just hoping for the best," Karrenbauer said.

With another cold night approaching, members of the "TrailTalk" portion of Thebackpacker.com continue to express concerns for Meredith Emerson's safety. A user with the screen name of "mildbill" wrote that "I have stayed in the shelter on Blood Mtn twice. Both times I had sleet, snow and ice with high winds and that was in March. I think the shelter is a natural wind tunnel. That is one place I would not want to be unprepared."

Sources:

11Alive.com, "Search Resumes for Missing Hiker," Duffie Dixon

WSBTV.com,"'Weathered Man' Seen With Missing Hiker"

Associated Press, "Authorities want to question man in disappearance of hiker"

Associated Press, "Authorities seek person of interest in missing hiker incident"

TheBackpacker.com

Published by Steven Bryan - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

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4 Comments

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  • MerCedEs 5/15/2008

    Who's the killer or the man who did the crime?? im doing a report on this in class ..... thankz

  • Jimbo 1/9/2008

    I guess she shoulda gone on for the brown or black belt, blue didn't do any good...

  • Judiciary Panel 1/8/2008

    How could she even speak to a disgusting creep like this toad. She was very intelligent and street-savy - she should have ignored him and anyone else that tried to "befriend" her - just look at the world and you can figure it out.

  • cathiesbloggs 1/5/2008

    Such a horrible situation !!...I hate that the dog showed up...without "her"..she loved her dog and her dog loved her..this is not good !!..I do not see a reason that she would have left her dog..(or her dog leaving her)..sounds like foul play to me!!!..I think they have the right man in custody too !! Excellent Reporting !!!

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