Details Emerge in the Murder of Mountain View Woman

Dylan Hanger, 28, of Houston was charged with tampering with physical evidence and the second degree murder of Brittany Gorman by the prosecuting attorney in Texas County on June 1. Prior to the charges, the victim, Brittany Gorman (Hanger) had been missing since May 20. 

Her vehicle was located at Buck Hollow river access in southern Texas County. According to a probable cause statement filed by Chief Deputy Rowdy Douglas, there were two large pools of blood on the ground near the driver’s side of the vehicle. A pair of eyeglasses similar to a pair the victim frequently wore was near one of the pools of blood. 

As Texas County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the National Park Service collaborated on the investigation, it was discovered that the last person who saw the victim was her estranged husband, Hanger. 

Hanger initially denied seeing Gorman at the Buck Hollow access, but three witnesses recalled having seen both Gorman’s truck and Hanger himself there. 

During a second interview with police, Hanger confessed to a physical altercation with the victim. He said Gorman produced a knife and stabbed him in the shoulder, and then Hanger said he held the victim in a “choke hold” until she lost consciousness and they both slumped to the ground. Hanger alleges Gorman fell on the knife when they both hit the ground. 

He further confessed that he loaded the victim’s body into the back of his vehicle and left the area, eventually dumping her body in the area of State Route CC in Ozark County. 

Hanger led Texas County Deputies directly to the spot in the Mark Twain National Forest where he left the body approximately 30 yards from the road before being secured in a patrol car. 

As of press time, Hanger remains in custody.