Murder Suspect in Dunlap Case in Custody - Updated

 UPDATED - A Leon County Grand Jury has indicted Gary Michael Hilton in the murder of Cheryl Dunlap and the state attorney's office will seek extradition back to Florida to face charges.  

Sheriff David Harvey and Sheriff Larry Campbell met on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008 after learning about Gary Michael Hilton who was arrested in Georgia for the murder of Georgia hiker Meredith Emerson.

A news release was made by Maj. Mike Wood of the Leon County Sheriff's Office stating that Michael Hilton is now the prime suspect in the slaying of our own, Cheryl Dunlap.  Maj. Wood stated the Hilton was in Leon County at the time of Cheryl's abduction, making him the focus of the investigation.

Sheriff Campbell stated in a news conference earlier today; "At this point, yeah, we think it was him. "  "In fact, we feel very strongly that it was (Hilton)." 

Maj. Mike Wood said there are obvious similarities between the Georgia and Dunlap cases - the two women were abducted, left in wooded areas and attempts were made to use their ATM cards. But there are other similarities between the cases that Wood said deputies aren't at "liberty to discuss."

This case has involved a multi-state, multi-county, and multi-agency investigation.  While the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office served in an "assist role" to the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the citizen assists have been appreciated by all agencies.  Sheriff Harvey and the men and women of the Sheriff's Office want to thank our citizens for reaching out to us with information in an attempt to assist in finding the murderer.  May we as a county of concerned and compassionate citizens continue to reach out to Cheryl's family. 

Sheriff Harvey and Sheriff Campbell will be giving a press conference soon.  We will continue to update this website as information continues to flow into the Sheriff's Office. 

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