BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. -- The accused kidnapper of missing hiker Meredith Emerson led investigators to her body in a wooded area in the Dawson Forest Management Area, police said Monday night. GBI Agent John Cagle said Emerson’s body was found shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday night.

Gary Hilton, 61, accused of kidnapping Emerson, described the location where investigators could find her body and lead investigators to the area, Cagle said.

Investigators said they had already narrowed their search in the area where Emerson’s body was found based on tips from local citizens that reported seeing Hilton’s van in the area.

Emerson’s body will be taken to the GBI crime lab after the area has been thoroughly investigated by crime scene technicians, Cagle said.

Hilton is currently being held at the Union County Jail.

No other information on any charges or admission of guilt by Hilton were given by investigators during a 10 p.m. news conference on Monday night.

A judge denied bond Monday for Hilton in the disappearance of Emerson.

Hilton appeared in a Blairsville courtroom Monday afternoon. He is charged with kidnapping with bodily harm in Emerson's disappearance. Emerson is being represented by the public defender's office.

Earlier Monday, Emerson's father asked the public for help.

Dave Emerson asked people to "search their minds to recall any evidence that could help bring our daughter home."

An investigator said authorities focused their search for Meredith Emerson Monday in a five-mile radius of Vogel State Park in north Georgia.

Emerson was last seen New Year's Day when she went hiking near Blood Mountain with her dog, a Labrador mix named Ella.

The dog was found wandering in a grocery store parking lot in Forsyth County, about 50 miles away from the park.