Meredith Emerson could have been the poster girl for Colorado, with her bright demeanor, a passion for the outdoors, physical and mental stamina — traits that sustained her life for four days in the hands of a killer.
The 24-year-old former Longmont resident had taken her dog, Ella, for a hike on Georgia’s Blood Mountain on New Year’s Day. She was ultimately beaten to death by Gary Michael Hilton on Jan. 4.
At one point, the 5-foot-4, 120- pound woman nearly overpowered her 61-year-old attacker, according to Hilton’s interviews with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“She wouldn’t stop,” Hilton told agents about his fight to abduct Emerson.
Hilton was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years in a deal prosecutors made so he would show them where he left Emerson’s body.
“She was doing everything she could to stay alive,” GBI Director Vernon Keenan told the Atlanta newspaper. “She nearly got the best of him. She’s very much a hero.”
Hilton told investigators he targeted Emerson because he thought a woman would be easy prey. He accosted her with a knife and a police baton. A martial arts student, Emerson wrestled both away.
Hilton subdued her with repeated punches to her face. When he thought he had worn her down, Emerson fought him again, he said.
Hilton said he calmed her down by telling her that he just wanted her credit card and PIN number. Emerson stayed alive three days by giving Hilton the wrong PIN for her ATM card, telling him the numbers were correct.
On the day Hilton killed Emerson, he told her that “she was going home.” He said he walked behind her and hit her several times with a tire tool.
Hilton said he couldn’t bring himself to kill Emerson’s dog. When he was asked if he had the same equivocations about Emerson, Hilton described the experience as “surreal.”
Meredith adopted Ella as a puppy from an animal rescue group. The dog now lives with her family in Longmont. Because of Meredith’s love for animals, her family suggested donations in her memory to the Longmont Humane Society. The fund has raised almost $35,000, according to the Humane Society.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
