I took this post from Ridecamp in response to finding the
missing hiker in Georgia. The person who posted this provides
some food for thought that those of us who trail ride can
probably benefit from....

"You all be careful around trailheads. I have been keeping track
of that poor girl who went for a New Years day hike with her dog
and disappeared about an hour and half from here. They caught
the guy who killed her, and he was wearing the yellow jacket
that belonged to another missing hiker couple (wife found dead
too), in another state. They also may be connecting him to
another missing woman in Ga. and one in Florida.

She had been seen hiking with him and his dog on the trail by a
couple of people. ( she didn't know him prior) She had a blue
belt in Karate, and ran those trails. He probably hiked with
her and was very friendly and being 61 , she may have been
disarmed. He somehow got her in his van at the trailhead.

An ex- cop had found her dog leash and water bottle and a
collapsable baton and gave it to a nearby store , thinking it
was lost. After she turned up missing, he called and gave info.

Her dog was found in a Kroger store 60 miles away and it had
been chipped, so a vet could identify her and being so far
from the trailhead , they figured it was a kidnapping.

A criminal psychologist said some serial killers hang around
trail heads and parks looking for victims. I have ridden alone
and never let anyone near me or my horse, even get off the
trail noting an exit if necessary, if I meet anyone. There are
some articles and videos I believe on safety techniques.

So eveyone heads up out there if alone, and WATCH YOUR BACK in
the parking lots, they figure he may have knocked her on the
head and pushed her in quickly."

Post taken from Ridecamp.