GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – The trial for the murder case of a 16-year-old girl from Gwinnett County continues on Tuesday, involving an ex-police officer facing charges in connection with the killing. Susana Morales went missing in the summer of 2022, and her remains were discovered months later in the woods.
Jury selection commenced on Monday, with prosecutors presenting unsettling details. The accused, Miles Bryant, a former Doraville police officer, stands accused of dumping Morales’ body in the woods after allegedly killing her. The investigation unveiled a timeline suggesting she was murdered by Bryant following a visit to a friend on the night of July 26, 2022.
Bryant remains incarcerated and has been denied bond twice, with the latest denial occurring in May 2023. Since his arrest, authorities have released a preliminary account indicating that Morales disappeared after visiting a friend at a nearby apartment complex on July 26, 2022, and was believed to have been killed by 2 a.m. the following morning.
Chief James D. McClure of the Doraville Police Department revealed that Morales was reported missing at 9 a.m. on July 27, and it was suspected she was already deceased by then. Notably, there was no evidence suggesting gunshot wounds in her case.
Miles Bryant, a former Doraville police officer, lived in close proximity to where Morales resided and went missing. The investigation has not definitively established a prior connection between Morales and Bryant, although Chief McClure acknowledged earlier incidents involving the accused. These included an alleged attempt to enter a neighbor’s home through a window in 2018 and accusations of stalking in December 2022.
The trial is scheduled to resume on Tuesday morning, continuing to shed light on the tragic case that has gripped Gwinnett County. Authorities aim to bring justice for Susana Morales and her grieving loved ones as the legal proceedings move forward.