Remains Are That of John Bryant *merged threads*

[ShowerSinger]

An outsdoorsman has found skeletal remains in the Nantahala National Forest. Police are treating it as a homicide. They refuse to comment on whether or not there is a connection to serial killer Hilton. A bit more at link

www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080203/NEWS01/80203011

[Truly]

:eek: The linked article goes on to say that (Sheriff) "Holland said the remains are not connected to a woman found dead Friday in the parking lot of Whiteside Mountain Trail in Macon County. The woman was found dead near her car in the parking lot area of the trail about six hours from Highlands." This is scary.

[Pandora]

A little bit more info:
Holland said it was unclear how long the body had been in the forest. It was found down a bank off the side of a road.
From:
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/2389923/

Of course, these were also Eric Robert Rudolph's old stompin' grounds. . .

Wandering off to find a map. . .

[englishleigh]

Like the article hints...could be John Bryant??

[jantel74]

Yikes, we spent time up there with my family back in August. Scary.

[sweetmop]

Remains found in Nantahala Forest have been positively identified as that of John Bryant.


http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20080204/NEWS/15440103/1151/NEWS/Remains_found_in_Macon_County_identified_as_John_B ryant

God bless the Bryant's family. Maybe now they can have some bit closure.

[aj1020]

What bittersweet news. I hope this brings the family a bit of closure, but nothing will bring John and Irene back. Bless their hearts.

[concernedperson]

Article from the ajc.com about same. I hope the family has some closure now.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2008/02/04/hiker_0204.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

[Native New Yorker]

I hope that the wicked monster Hilton has access to the news, and knows that the authorities are closing in on his many evil deeds. Even though he refused to talk to N.C. LE last week, it sounds like they can prosecute anyway. I really hope that N.C. and Florida both nail him. His sorry days are numbered.

[indigomood]

So sad, may his family find the answers they seek... the closure will come one day when all are reunited. Goodness always prevails over evil. Peace and comfort to those loved ones left behind to mourn their loss.

[SeriouslySearching]

BREVARD, N.C. — Authorities say skeletal remains found in western North Carolina during the weekend are those of missing hiker John Bryant.

Transylvania County Sheriff John Mahoney said Monday that a body found Saturday by a hunter in Macon County has been identified as John Bryant. He and his wife, Irene, disappeared while hiking in the Pisgah National Forest.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328186,00.html

GMH had his chance to tell them where the remains were, but he blew it.

[SeriouslySearching]

I hope that the wicked monster Hilton has access to the news, and knows that the authorities are closing in on his many evil deeds. Even though he refused to talk to N.C. LE last week, it sounds like they can prosecute anyway. I really hope that N.C. and Florida both nail him. His sorry days are numbered.I have no doubt that LE informed him of the discovery and let him know that he blew his chance to tell them for any deals or allowances which could have been made. :bang:

[SeriouslySearching]

Sheriff Holland will be holding a press conference today at 3 p.m. in the Macon County courthouse.

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20080204/NEWS/15440103/1151/NEWS/Remains_found_in_Macon_County_identified_as_John_B ryant

[Taximom]

WOW. Thanks for the news, sweetmop.

[sweetmop]

WOW. Thanks for the news, sweetmop.

You're welcome Taximom.

[jantel74]

I'm sorry to hear that. May John rest in peace. I hope this gives his family a little bit of closure now.

[Tallytowngirl]

Citizen Times article (http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/NEWS01/80203032/1260) has a web extra of photos (http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=B0&Dato=20080203&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=203002&Ref=PH&Profile=1260) of the place where John's body was found, in case anybody is interested. Not gruesome.

[MeoW333]

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2008/02/04/hiker_0204.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

Hunter who found remains states skull was in a seperate spot than the rest of remains 20 feet away. This seems to be Hilton's MO; dismembering them.
RIP and my prayers that the Bryants' family can rest now.

[InterestedNHelping]

The press conference was very brief! No cause of death...perhaps they don't want to reveal details, so they can get them from GH? Or did I miss something?

[englishleigh]

:eek: Wow!! Last I read it was just being speculated that it COULD be him. Thank the Lord he has been found and can be properly laid to rest with his wife, and now no deals for Scumbag Hilton. My prayers to the Bryant family.

[MCDRAW]

I wonder how they identified him so fast.

[concernedperson]

I wonder how they identified him so fast.

That was really fast since DNA usually takes awhile. I wonder if ID was found nearby that establishes the victim identity? There had to be something for them to be so sure.

[SeriouslySearching]

Probably dental records.

[concernedperson]

Probably dental records.

You are so bright that is why we love you and need you here. Quick on your feet.:blowkiss: That would be exactly why it was so fast as LE had his dentals available.

[SeriouslySearching]

Awwww Thanks! That is so sweet of you to say. Hugs~

I am just glad the family didn't have to wait on DNA testing to come back. They have waited for so long to find him. Bless their hearts.

It does sound like GMH's exact MO and I have no doubt he will be charged soon.

[Pandora]

IGNORE PLEASE: Threads combined
Remains identified:
"MACON COUNTY, N.C. -- Skeletal remains found in the North Carolina mountains are those of a missing hiker, Macon County, N.C., Sheriff Robert Holland said Monday afternoon.

The remains of John Bryant, 80, were found off a road in the Nantahala National Forest late Saturday."


More at link:
http://www.wyff4.com/news/15213451/detail.html


May he rest in peace with his wife.

[SeriouslySearching]

We already have a thread here about John Bryant. It is under the Gary Michael Hilton case.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59812

[sweetmop]

You are so bright that is why we love you and need you here. Quick on your feet.:blowkiss: That would be exactly why it was so fast as LE had his dentals available.


That's exactly what was reported on the local news tonight. They already had John's dental records on hand.

I so hope the monster that did this to these beautiful people gets the DP!
This couple would have given him the shirts off their backs or their last dollar! They were the most loving, dear old couple!

So sad that they crossed paths with pure evil!

[sweetmop]

Awwww Thanks! That is so sweet of you to say. Hugs~

I am just glad the family didn't have to wait on DNA testing to come back. They have waited for so long to find him. Bless their hearts.

It does sound like GMH's exact MO and I have no doubt he will be charged soon.


Wonder just how long before the monster is charged?

[Pandora]

Removed by me when threads were combined. :)

[sweetmop]

John's remains were identified not only from his dental records, but from the serial number of his cardiac pacemaker.

[indigomood]

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2008/02/04/hiker_0204.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

Hunter who found remains states skull was in a seperate spot than the rest of remains 20 feet away. This seems to be Hilton's MO; dismembering them.
RIP and my prayers that the Bryants' family can rest now.

Perhaps decapitation but maybe it was a natural disarticulation of the joints secondary to the advanced state of decomposition of the soft tissues. Scavengers also could have moved some of the remains. Just thinking out loud... :)

[concernedperson]

John's remains were identified not only from his dental records, but from the serial number of his cardiac pacemaker.

Man, this is terrible. Both of them were enjoying their last years. Both of them were traveling and doing what they loved. It is so unfair that after many years of contribution that their lives were taken by a sociopathic evil person. God's speed to both and I am sure that they are angels in heaven making a difference to the remaining earth souls. It just rips me every time I hear of such cruelty.

[sweetmop]

Man, this is terrible. Both of them were enjoying their last years. Both of them were traveling and doing what they loved. It is so unfair that after many years of contribution that their lives were taken by a sociopathic evil person. God's speed to both and I am sure that they are angels in heaven making a difference to the remaining earth souls. It just rips me every time I hear of such cruelty.

Me too! It just sickens me to think of the horror they endured in their last moments of life! Horrible!

These two people were 2 of the sweetest people on earth! They would have given him help in any manner had he asked.

I hate that their paths crossed with this pure evil being! What a cruel, evil monster!

[ThoughtFox]

I'm so glad they found him! This has really been worrying me!

[ShowerSinger]

The other woman who was found dead in a parking lot in that same county was from Alabama, and who had been hiking. She died of hypothermia, after she locked her keys in her SUV.

[indigomood]

Forensic Students Search for Clues in Murder

Newswise — Professors and students from Western Carolina University’s forensic anthropology program assisted law enforcement agencies in their search for clues in a remote area of national forestland where the body of a hiker missing since October was discovered on Saturday, Feb 2.

*more at link* ( also includes a picture of what appears to be recovery site )

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/537647/

[indigomood]

Feds heading Bryant death investigation

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080212/NEWS01/80212041

[olympicprincess]

So it WAS Hilton wearing John's yellow windbreaker in the ATM photos?

Sad to hear that he was found dead, but at least it's a little closure for the family. The "not knowing" whether they are dead or alive would tear me up.

[SeriouslySearching]

Do we know who the woman is from Bryson City?

Authorities are investigating ties between Hilton and a woman missing from Bryson City since 2005.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080212/NEWS01/80212041

[DeltaDawn]

Do we know who the woman is from Bryson City?

Authorities are investigating ties between Hilton and a woman missing from Bryson City since 2005.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080212/NEWS01/80212041


SS, I think they are referring to Rosanna Miliani. Your link on her below:

http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58555

[Hiker]

So it WAS Hilton wearing John's yellow windbreaker in the ATM photos?

Sad to hear that he was found dead, but at least it's a little closure for the family. The "not knowing" whether they are dead or alive would tear me up.A clerk in a store in Ducktown TN says she saw Hilton on the day John Bryant's ATM card was used. I'm still not convinced that the yellow jacket in the ATM photo was John Bryant's yellow jacket because the jacket had such an unusual design (http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1992713&postcount=31) and I would think that the family or friends would have been able to say immediately if John Bryant owned a jacket with this design. Yellow is a fairly popular color for rain jackets.

[Native New Yorker]

But the children of the Bryants were all grown, and did not live near them...seemed as though the parents were pretty independent, too.
I have a mother in her 80's and I do not live near her...I cannot honestly say that I "know" all of her raincoats, jackets, etc.
I would not rule out this being John's jacket......

[Hiker]

But the children of the Bryants were all grown, and did not live near them...seemed as though the parents were pretty independent, too.
I have a mother in her 80's and I do not live near her...I cannot honestly say that I "know" all of her raincoats, jackets, etc.
I would not rule out this being John's jacket......The evidence list from the search warrant lists two yellow jackets - one with blood on it and one without. My guess is that the one with blood will turn out to be John Bryant's jacket and the one without will turn out to be the one in the ATM photos.

[indigomood]

MILLS RIVER -- Two local residents say they saw confessed killer Gary Michael Hilton in Mills River before he was arrested in Georgia and named as a suspect in the murders of local retirees John and Irene Bryant.

Arthur Collan Riddle of Mills River said Friday he saw Hilton in November at Hyder's Kountry Kubbard, the BP gas station on N.C. 280.

"He was kind of weird," Riddle said of his encounter with Hilton.

"He just stood there staring at us," said Riddle, who was visiting the gas station with his wife and baby. "Then he said, 'I ain't got nothing on me except this baton ... you could use it for a lot of things even as a weapon.'"

Riddle said at first he thought Hilton was walking, but later saw him get in a van.

"I had a bad feeling about that van," Riddle said. "I wish I would have called in something to the police. It seemed like he (Hilton) was watching my wife and baby. I just can't explain how weird he was."

*more at link*
http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20080216/NEWS/802160328/0/OPINION02

[panglossian]

Thanks indigomood. I hope more people come forward with their experiences with Hilton. I know that the guy you quoted must feel terrible, but how could he have known? Hilton just has touched so many lives in his path of destruction, it seems.

[indigomood]

Thanks indigomood. I hope more people come forward with their experiences with Hilton. I know that the guy you quoted must feel terrible, but how could he have known? Hilton just has touched so many lives in his path of destruction, it seems.

you're welcome panglossian :)

Yes, he must feel terrible indeed but should forgive himself. Many of us have been guilty of ignoring our gut instincts when perhaps we should have acted. We are human. In our journeys we cross paths with many people who we deem "creepy", who's to know what another human is capable of? Stay safe in this sometimes world gone mad :blowkiss: