Gary Michael Hilton is an American serial killer and handyman who gained notoriety for his crimes in the early 2000s. He was convicted of several murders, most notably the 2007 slaying of Cheryl Dunlap, a nurse and Sunday school teacher in Florida. Hilton's modus operandi often involved targeting hikers and outdoors enthusiasts in remote areas, leading to his nickname "The National Forest Serial Killer." He was known for his brutality and lack of remorse. Hilton is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Gary Michael Hilton's criminal activities became more widely known after his arrest in 2007 for the murder of Cheryl Dunlap, but evidence suggests he may have been involved in other killings prior to that. Born in 1946, Hilton had a troubled past and a history of run-ins with the law, including charges for theft and assault.

His most notorious crime occurred in December 2007 when he abducted Cheryl Dunlap, a registered nurse and Sunday school teacher, from a hiking trail in Florida's Apalachicola National Forest. Dunlap's body was found decapitated over a month later. The brutality of the crime shocked the community and drew widespread media attention.

During the investigation into Dunlap's murder, authorities discovered that Hilton had been living a transient lifestyle, often camping in national forests and preying on unsuspecting hikers and campers. This revelation led to speculation that he may have been responsible for other unsolved disappearances and murders in similar areas across several states.

In 2008, Hilton was also linked to the murders of John and Irene Bryant, an elderly couple who disappeared while hiking in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. Their bodies were later found, and Hilton was convicted of their murders as well.

Hilton's methods were often brutal and opportunistic. He would target individuals who were alone in remote areas, using his knowledge of the wilderness to evade capture. After his arrest, Hilton showed little remorse for his crimes and was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole as well as getting the death penalty for his crimes in Florida.  


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