BREVARD, N.C. -- Skeletal remains found in western North Carolina were identified Monday as a missing hiker whose wife's body was found near a hiking trail.

Transylvania County Sheriff John Mahoney said Monday the medical examiner confirmed a body found Saturday by a hunter in Macon County is John Bryant, 80.

The hunter found the remains near a Forest Service road in the Nantahala National Forest. They were sent to the state medical examiner in Chapel Hill who made the indentification Monday morning.

The body of 84-year-old Irene Bryant was found in November.

Mahoney has said he believes 61-year-old Gary Michael Hilton is responsible for the deaths.

The Associated Press reported Friday that Mahoney said there is "no question" Hilton is responsible for the North Carolina case.

Mahoney said his office had collected enough evidence to bring charges, though officials in North Carolina must resolve if the state or the federal government will prosecute him. Mahoney said the evidence was enough to meet North Carolina's minimum standards to seek the death penalty.

"There are a lot of people up here that want it to happen," Mahoney said. "We're ready to go."

Mahoney said North Carolina authorities tried to interview Hilton, but he declined and asked for an attorney.

Hilton pleaded guilty to murdering hiker Meredith Emerson in Georgia last week and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.