Official: Georgia hiker’s accused kidnapper led authorities to body

(AP) - Officials say a man accused of kidnapping a 24-year-old hiker led authorities to her body in the mountains of North Georgia.

Officials are investigating if the death of Meredith Emerson is related to the disappearance of two elderly hikers in the North Carolina mountains in October.

John Cagle with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says 61-year-old Gary Michael Hilton showed investigators where Emerson's body was yesterday.

Authorities are exploring whether the disappearance of John and Irene Bryant is related.

The body of 84-year-old Irene Bryant was found in November. Authorities say she died from a blow to the head. her husband is still missing but is presumed dead.

Transylvania County, North Carolina, Sheriff David Mahoney says there are similarities in the case.