Loss of Sanctuary.
I started following the case of the hiker missing in North Georgia because she went missing in an area I knew. And it was worrisome, then became sad, and finally tragic. But it's become more to me now. Not to overshadow this young woman's death, it is a horrible thing, but this villain as stomped all over a world I viewed as safe. Not perfect. And not a place to let down one's vigilance toward safety measures. But safe. My retreat from the world around, as it were.
I've hiked where she was taken. I had friends I ran all over Cumming, GA with in college. He used her ATM cards 15 miles south of my parents house. He left her body in a forest that I spent my park ranger years camping with friends. Coming in after work/dark to campsites in the middle of nowhere. Alone. And I felt safe. It was practically my back yard as a kid. From what the AJC is saying, he may have even left the body in one of MY parks. The park I grew up in, 20 minutes from my parents house (15 if I was late for work.). My first park ranger position. A park I walked all over, usually alone. A place where my biggest fear was getting between a hungry bear and a dumpster.
I'm very saddened by the death of Meredith Emerson, but I'm also saddened by this loss of peace of mind. This animal has sullied something precious to me. You can't go home again. I get that. But I never thought about this being the reason. My sanctuary has been violated.
(More - I talked to my father. Local news/rumor isn't saying the park, they're saying it's over in Dawson Forest close to the old nuclear reactor. Which, okay. Still my backyard. And apparently he ALSO tried to use her ATM in my hometown. Bah.)