Into The Dark – Episode 149: "The National Forest Killer"

Host: Payton Moreland
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this chilling episode of "Into The Dark," Payton Moreland dives deep into the case of Gary Michael Hilton, dubbed the "National Forest Killer." The narrative unfolds the grim tales of his victims, with a central focus on Meredith Emerson—a young, experienced hiker who vanished in 2008. Payton explores how Hilton’s life off-grid spiraled into a murderous crime spree across state lines, exposing both the true horror of human unpredictability and the resilience of his victims. The episode also touches on broader questions of safety, trust, and the psychology behind such heinous acts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Safety & Stereotypes

• Contemporary meme: Payton references a viral question—“Would you rather be stuck in a forest with a man or a bear?”—to frame the episode's central theme of unexpected human danger in places presumed safe ([02:00]).

  “Bears don’t psychologically torture... your death will be quicker, probably less painful than some of the terrible things human murderers are capable of.” – Payton ([02:25])

• Hiking Reality Check: Despite the case’s horror, Payton affirms that outdoor recreation is largely safe: most people come home unharmed; violent incidents are rare.

2. The Disappearance of Meredith Emerson

• Victim profile: Meredith Emerson, 24, was an avid, well-prepared hiker with a black Lab named Ella ([03:55]).
• Day of disappearance: On New Year’s Day 2008, Meredith heads to Vogel State Park, GA, leaves a note for her roommate, and vanishes ([05:12]).
• Initial response: Roommate reports her missing after nightfall. Police begin search, suspecting an accident or animal attack.

Early Clues:

• Meredith’s water bottle is found far from the trail—first sign of foul play ([06:55]).
• Bank activity: Multiple failed ATM withdrawal attempts on Meredith’s card start the night she disappears—always the wrong PIN, until, days later, there’s a successful withdrawal.

  “It is not Meredith. It is an older white man, but it’s hard to get a very good look at him... He has a hat down low over his face.” – Payton, describing ATM footage ([08:45])

3. Gary Michael Hilton: Profile of a Predator

• Background: Hilton, 61, had a history of failed relationships and jobs, financial instability, and ultimately chooses survivalist life, living out of a van in national forests ([10:05]).

  “He decided he would rather be broke than have to spend his days doing a job for a paycheck.” – Payton ([11:50])

• Earlier violence: As a teen, Hilton had shot his stepfather in the face (stepfather survived), and was diagnosed as having violent tendencies ([12:35]).
• Lifestyle: Sustained himself by periodically robbing hikers and campers.

4. Detectives Link Hilton to Multiple Crimes

• Wider investigation: ATM evidence and tips from other authorities tie Hilton to other murders, including:
  • October 2007: John and Irene Bryant, elderly hikers, murdered in NC ([14:15]).
  • December 2007: Cheryl Dunlap, Sunday school teacher, murdered and mutilated in FL ([16:00]).
• Pattern: All victims disappeared from popular hiking trails, and their bank accounts were accessed after.

5. Meredith's Final Days & Hilton's Capture

• ATM trail: For three days, Hilton drives Meredith from ATM to ATM. She cleverly stalls by giving incorrect PINs, ensuring he's recorded on multiple security cameras ([28:10]).

  “Meredith didn’t give him her real pin. She just said a bunch of random numbers... For three days, she bought herself more time.” ([27:50])

• Heroic resistance: Meredith, trained in martial arts, fought back repeatedly—but Hilton ultimately overpowered her ([22:40]).

• Ella’s fate: Hilton releases Meredith’s dog, Ella, unharmed, which will later help identify the timeline ([24:50]).

• Capture: Hilton is spotted at a gas station and apprehended after a tip ([18:30]).

• Confession: He quickly confesses to Meredith’s murder and the Bryants', and admits to killing for money and out of anger at society ([19:55]).

6. The Dark Psychology of Gary Hilton

• Twisted rationalizations: Hilton claimed “psychic powers” over victims and described getting “excited and powerful” from toying with them ([22:50]).

  “He said that he had psychic powers and he could mentally influence people to make them feel calm and cooperative. Seriously.” – Payton ([23:45])

• Specifics of the murders: Hilton describes in detail how he selected, attacked, and killed each victim.

  • John and Irene Bryant: Both fought back fiercely, but were overpowered, robbed, and killed separately ([20:55]).
  • Cheryl Dunlap: Initially denied involvement, but later confessed in a 2025 interview, detailing a desire to maximize psychological trauma to others through her murder ([35:30]).

7. Investigation, Sentencing, and Unanswered Questions

• Plea bargains: Hilton avoids the death penalty in Georgia by leading police to Meredith’s body ([33:50]).
• Other states: Receives death sentence in Florida for Cheryl’s murder and additional life terms in North Carolina for the Bryants.

  “So In April of 2011, the state of Florida puts him on trial for Cheryl’s murder. And this time around, the death penalty is on the table.” – Payton ([34:40])

• Stays silent for 14 years: No interviews, maintains innocence in Cheryl’s murder until 2025.

8. The 2025 Confession and Haunting Implications

• Final admission: With his health failing, Hilton finally admits to Cheryl’s murder and hints at other, unknown victims in a Court TV interview ([35:30]).

  “I know as well as anyone I’m a crime expert, and I know that serial killers never, ever start killing when they’re 61 years old. They don’t just wake up and start killing people. It doesn’t happen.” – Gary Hilton, Court TV interview ([36:10])

• Ambiguity: Hilton coyly refuses to disclose the true extent of his crimes, leaving open the chilling possibility of more undiscovered victims.

  “Even by the end of the interview, it is unclear if he’s trying to confess or if he’s just looking for attention.” – Payton ([37:00])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On safety in wilderness vs. human violence:

  “Bears don’t psychologically torture their victims or gaslight them or sexually assault them. So even if you do get killed by a bear, your death will be quicker, probably less painful than some of the terrible things that human murderers are capable of.” – Payton ([02:25])

• Victim resistance:

  “She knew her life was on the line. But she was still tied up, so it was never a fair fight. Gary raped Meredith, and then when he was done, he murdered her. He did it by beating her, beat her to death.” – Payton ([29:25])

• On the psychology of killers:

  “Serial killers never, ever start killing when they’re 61 years old. They don’t just wake up and start killing people. It doesn’t happen.” – Hilton ([36:10])

• On the power of delayed justice:

  “It is very obvious to me that... trials in general, are just like a way for them to distribute control. It’s weird.” – Payton ([34:40])

Important Timestamps

• The man-or-bear meme and episode framing: [02:00–02:40]
• Discovery and search for Meredith: [05:00–07:50]
• ATM evidence and Hilton identified: [08:10–09:10]
• Background: Hilton’s life and early violence: [10:05–13:00]
• Bryant and Dunlap case connections: [14:15–16:00]
• Gary’s confession and murder details: [19:55–29:25]
• The 2025 interview and chilling hints at more victims: [35:30–37:10]
• Closing reflections: [37:40–38:11]

Final Thoughts & Tone

Payton Moreland blends matter-of-fact narration with horror at the details and empathy for the victims, maintaining a tone that is both analytical and mournful. The episode dwells on not just the mechanics of Hilton’s crimes, but also the enduring terror of what truly unpredictable people are capable of—even (or especially) in places we find sacred or soothing, like a trail in the woods.

“…so long as there are men like him around, it is no wonder so many women choose the bear.” – Payton ([38:05])

For full coverage of the case, listen to Episode 149 of "Into The Dark."