Gary Michael Hilton was born on November 22, 1946, in the United States. Little is publicly documented about his early childhood, but records indicate that Hilton lived a transient and unstable adult life for decades. He was known to drift across southeastern states, frequently residing in national forests and campgrounds rather than maintaining permanent housing. By the early 2000s, Hilton had become effectively homeless, surviving through panhandling, theft, and short‑term labor.

Hilton developed extensive familiarity with wilderness areas, particularly national forests in Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. He often camped illegally and moved frequently to avoid detection. Witnesses later described him as socially awkward, aggressive when confronted, and prone to unpredictable outbursts of anger. He frequently traveled with a dog, which he used to appear less threatening to hikers and outdoors enthusiasts.

Prior to the murders for which he was convicted, Hilton had multiple encounters with law enforcement for minor offenses, including trespassing and theft, but had not been identified as a violent offender. Criminal profilers later noted that his nomadic lifestyle, comfort with isolation, and intimate knowledge of forest terrain made him uniquely suited to commit crimes in remote areas with minimal witnesses.

On October 21, 2007, retirees John Davis “Jack” Bryant (80) and Irene Woods Bryant (84) left their home in Horse Shoe, North Carolina, to hike in Pisgah National Forest. When they failed to return, relatives reported them missing. Phone records later showed that John attempted to call 911 that day, but the call was dropped.

On November 10, 2007, searchers discovered Irene Bryant’s body along the Barnett Branch Trail. She had been bludgeoned to death with a blunt object. The case became a federal investigation due to the murder occurring on national forest land.

On February 3, 2008, hunters discovered skeletal remains later identified as John Bryant in Nantahala National Forest. Hilton later admitted that he killed Irene at the scene and kidnapped John, forcing him to reveal his bank information before shooting him in the head and disposing of the body.

On December 3, 2007, Cheryl Hodges Dunlap (46) disappeared after visiting Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee, Florida. Her abandoned car was later found, and her ATM card was used multiple times by an unknown man.

On December 16, 2007, hunters discovered her decapitated body in the forest. DNA evidence later confirmed her identity. Hilton was linked through ATM surveillance and forensic evidence. Prosecutors alleged that Hilton abducted Dunlap, held her captive for several days, murdered her, and attempted to destroy identifying evidence by burning her head and hands.

On January 1, 2008, Meredith Hope Emerson (24) went hiking on Blood Mountain in Georgia’s Vogel State Park. Witnesses recalled seeing her followed by an older man with a dog.

After Emerson disappeared, authorities identified Hilton as a person of interest. Items belonging to Emerson were found discarded near Cumming, Georgia. Hilton was arrested on January 6, 2008, on kidnapping charges.

In a plea agreement, Hilton revealed the location of Emerson’s remains in Dawson Forest Management Area. He admitted to bludgeoning her with a tire iron, killing her during the abduction. Emerson’s body had been decapitated post‑mortem to delay identification.

Hilton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 30 years in Georgia.

Following his Georgia conviction, Hilton was extradited to Florida, where he stood trial for Cheryl Dunlap’s murder. On February 22, 2011, he was sentenced to death in Florida.

In 2012, Hilton pleaded guilty to the murders of John and Irene Bryant in North Carolina, receiving additional life sentences without parole.

Hilton is currently held on Florida’s death row, while also serving multiple life sentences imposed by Georgia and North Carolina.