On my way home from running more errands today, I was again reminded just how close I might have been to a serial killer...
You see, confessed murderer (and probable serial killer) Gary Hilton was apprehended at a gas station mere minutes from my home.
In case you don't know the story... here is a brief version.
All week we had been covering the disappearance of a local hiker. She was a recent UGA grad, who had taken her puppy out for a hike. The whole thing was odd, and somewhat surreal. We had been at UGA at the same time, who knows, maybe I had a lecture class with her or sat on the bus next to her. As more people talked about her, I was even a little sad we hadn't officially met. She seemed like a really fun and great girl.
As sad as that was, I was in no way prepared for what was about to happen...
I don't think I will ever forget the night they found him. I was at work, praying the night would go by quickly so I could get to the weekend. Then all of a sudden on the scanner, I heard police talking about a place I know well, just down the street from my house. So, I was immediately drawn in... I don't usually hear too many calls in my family friendly neighborhood. I moved some people, still not thinking too much of the whole thing. And the rest, is still a whirlwind. It was him at that gas station, we later found out he frequented the area... he confessed to killing the hiker, and now he is in jail accused of another murder in FL.
In the end, it is crazy to me that I could have run into either the victim or the killer on so many different occasions. And, it makes me wonder if/when I actually did. I would never have guessed when I went to that gas station... or walked around campus that I might see someone who I would never officially meet... but who would profoundly impact my life.
So each and everyday keep your eyes out... because you never know who you might run into at the grocery store.
