Former police officer arrested in connection to missing 16-year-old found dead

A former police officer in Georgia has been arrested in connection with the death of a 16-year-old girl who had been reported missing six months ago.

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Susana Morales was last seen at her home in Gwinnett County on the night of July 26. She had been seen on video walking toward her home but officials thought she had gotten into a car, never to be heard from again, WSB reported.

Her phone showed her to be in the area until it turned off.

For months, investigators didn’t know where she was until her remains were found last week near the Barrow County line, more than 20 miles from where she was last seen.

Police arrested Miles Bryant, 22, a police officer with the Doraville Police Department, on Monday. Bryant has been charged with concealing the death of another and false report of a crime, WSB reported.

Bryant had been with Doraville police since 2021 until his arrest and had worked as a jailer in Forsyth County, WSB reported.

Police are still trying to determine what happened and officers said they do not believe there was a relationship between Bryant and Susana.

WSB reported that Bryant lived in an apartment complex near where Susana was last seen. She disappeared about half a mile from her home.

Police said in an arrest warrant issued for Bryant that he “lives in close proximity to victim and dumped her naked body in the woods,” WSB reported

Doraville police released a statement on Monday evening, confirming Bryant’s arrest: “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.”

City officials and the police department are working with Gwinnett officers in the investigation.

Susana’s sister, Jasmine Morales, spoke with WSB on Monday night after it was announced that an arrest had been made.

“I was shocked. I had to process it for a second. I was just like what? That explains why it took so long for us to have an answer,” she said. “It’s a police officer. I’m guessing they know how to cover their tracks.”

Gwinnett detectives are trying to determine the manner and cause of Susana’s death, WSB reported.

Jasmine Morales told WSB that Susana’s family is waiting for more answers.

“Now we know, we know something. We are just hoping everything will come to light soon. We will finally have the closure and justice that she deserves,” she said.