A former Georgia police officer has been charged with concealing the death of a 16-year-old girl whose body was found last week after she’d been missing for more than six months.
Susana Morales’ family reported her missing on July 27, saying that she had texted her mother at about 9:40 p.m. the night before to say she was on her way home. An app on her phone showed her walking in that direction after 10 p.m., but she never made it, as CrimeOnline previously reported.
On February 6, Morales’ body was found in a wooded area 20 miles from where she was last seen.
Gwinnett Police so far have provided little information about the arrest of Miles Bryant, a 22-year-old former Doraville police officer. He has been charged with concealing a death and false report of a crime.
“This is a very tragic incident and not just for our community, but the law enforcement community as well,” Gwinnett County Police spokesperson Officer Hideshi Valle told WAGA on Monday. “Gwinnett Police is determined to get all of the facts and all of the information to get justice regardless of who the individual is.”
The City of Doraville confirmed Bryant’s arrest and that he was no longer employed by its police department but didn’t say when he left or if he was fired.
“The City of Doraville was notified the afternoon of Monday, February 13 that a now former police officer was being served felony arrest warrants by the Gwinnett Police Department in connection with the disappearance and murder of Susana Morales,” the city said. “The City of Doraville and its Police Department are fully cooperating with the Gwinnett Police Department in its investigation of Mr. Bryant. Our prayers rest with the family and friends of Susana Morales and everyone else affected by this tragedy.”
The medical examiner has not yet released a cause of death for Morales, and investigators have not said if Morales and Bryant were acquainted.
Anyone with information should contact Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5300, or call Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
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[Featured image: Susana Morales/Gwinnett County Police Department]
