Memorial service for Meredith Emerson

News

Memorial service for Meredith Emerson

Memorial service for Meredith Emerson in Athens.

Family and friends of Meredith Emerson walk to the memorial service for her Friday at Center Presbyterian Church in Athens.

There was standing room only as 350-plus gathered to remember the 24-year-old Georgia graduate who went missing on New Year's Day. Police have charged Gary Michael Hilton, a 61-year-old drifter with killing Emerson.

A police officer directs traffic outside the church.

Meredith Emerson's dog, Ella, is walked by a family friend outside the church.

People gather outside Center Presbyterian Church in Athens before the start of Friday's memorial service.

Family, friends, co-workers, search and rescue members, and firefighters were on hand for the emotional ceremony.

Mourners embrace following the service.

Mourners leave the memorial service.

Friends and family members outside the church after the service. Three of Emerson's friends and one cousin, Jason Emerson, spoke during the hour-long tribute.

1/9

Family and friends of Meredith Emerson walk to the memorial service for her Friday at Center Presbyterian Church in Athens.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Masters practice round Monday

PHOTOS: Golf fashions at the Masters

2h ago

aajc 041126 Masters Round 2 Friday

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 Round 2

aajc 041026 Masters Round 1 Thur

PHOTOS: Masters 2026 tournament starts

Masters Par 3 contest

PHOTOS: Masters Par 3 Contest brings player's families to Augusta National

More Galleries

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport long lines

PHOTOS: Scenes from Hartsfield-Jackson airport

Grayson Stadium 100 years

PHOTOS: Savannah's Grayson Stadium through the years

Interstate checkpoint ruse

PHOTOS: Motorists fall for checkpoint ruse

St. Patrick’s Day parade gamer

PHOTOS: St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah