Moose Droppings

John Bryant Autopsy Report Released / Story Update

May 26, 2008 @ 11:39 am by Moose

Photo Citizen Times

A story we have been following closely here is the murder of the Bryant’s while hiking in Pisgah National Forest last fall. The Bryant’s had gone on a fall hike and were initially reported as missing but as time went on their disappearance became more suspicious. A month after they went missing the bludgeoned body of Irene Bryant was found near their parked car with no sign of John. Authorities presumed John was also murdered as well but it wasn’t till this February when a hunter discovered his remains that they knew for certain. By the time John’s body was discovered authorities had already linked the Bryant murders to a serial killer Gary Hilton. Hilton has confessed and been convicted of a similar style murder in nearby Georgia. Additionally he has been charged and awaits extradition to Florida for a murder there. Authorities here in North Carolina have not charged him with murder but they are clear that he is the person they believed that carried out these senseless crimes.

The autopsy confirmed the skeletal remains as John Bryant his pace maker was discovered with the remains. The autopsy lists the cause of death as a single gunshot wound to the head and no other injuries were noted.

Now what remains is the need for justice in this case. I hope the federal authorities who are taking the lead are able to bring this case to a close. We like to think that our parks and public recreational areas are safe from crime but the sad reality they are not.

Story by Dan McLaughlin AKA Moose