By Joe Johnson
A former police officer has been charged with murder for the death of 16-year-old Susana Morales, whose naked body was discovered near the Gwinnett-Barrow county line, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department.
The department stated in a news release that Miles Bryant, 22, a former officer with the Doraville Police Department, was also charged with kidnapping Morales, who was reported missing by her family in July,
Bryant was still a police officer when he was arrested earlier this month and initially charged with concealing the death of another and making false statements.
"It is suspected that Morales encountered Bryant while walking home from a friend’s house on July 26, 2022 sometime between 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Detectives believe that Morales was killed a short time later, between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. the following date," the GCPD said in a news release.
"The motive in this case remains under investigation. At this time, it does not appear that Bryant and Morales knew each other or had any previous relationship. The exact cause of death is still under investigation and it may be an extended period before any additional information about the cause is learned." GCPD said.