Police Officer Turned Killer: The Murder of 16-Year-Old Susana Morales
May 2, 2024
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A 16-year-old girl, Susana Morales, mysteriously disappears and her skeletal remains are found miles from her home, linking to a fellow police officer named Miles Bryant. The episode highlights the pursuit of justice, discrimination in law enforcement, and the family's fight for accountability, shedding light on systemic changes needed in missing person investigations.
Susanna's family demands accountability and systemic changes to prevent discrimination towards minority teens in future investigations.
Miles Bryant faces multiple serious charges including felony murder and attempted rape, prompting ongoing legal actions and family advocacy for justice.
Deep dives
The Tragic Disappearance and Murder of 16-year-old Susanna Morales
Susanna Morales, a talented and kind 16-year-old from Norcross, Georgia, disappeared one night while walking home. Despite her responsible nature, she vanished without a trace, leaving her family frantic. The police initially dismissed her disappearance as a runaway case, delaying the investigation and causing distress to her family. Months later, her skeletal remains were discovered, ultimately leading to the arrest of a 22-year-old former police officer named Miles Bryant for concealing her death. Susanna's family continues to seek justice and holds accountable those who failed to act swiftly.
Inadequate Police Response and Systemic Failures
The police's mishandling of Susanna's case and the failure to take immediate action illustrate systemic issues in missing person investigations. The delayed response, wrongful categorization as a runaway, and lack of urgency exemplify discrimination and neglect towards minority teens. Susanna's family demands accountability, systemic changes for hiring practices, and a review of missing minor procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Criminal Charges and Legal Proceedings
Miles Bryant, the prime suspect in Susanna's murder, faces a range of charges including felony murder, kidnapping, false crime reporting, attempted rape, and burglary. Despite being denied bond multiple times due to the threat he poses, additional charges for attempted rape have escalated the case. The family awaits a conviction and continues to advocate for justice while the trial progresses.
Family's Lawsuit and Pursuit of Justice
Susanna's family files a lawsuit against the apartment complex where she was last seen, alleging negligence in failing to address security concerns and not ensuring residents' safety. The legal action seeks to hold accountable those responsible for potential preventable failures that could have safeguarded Susanna. Their pursuit of justice extends beyond criminal proceedings into civil action to address systemic shortcomings.
Continuing Advocacy and Support for Justice
Susanna's tragic story underscores the importance of advocacy, accountability, and systemic reform in cases of missing and murdered individuals. Her family's relentless pursuit of justice through petitions, legal action, and community support aims to prevent similar cases. As the legal proceedings unfold, they stand united in seeking justice and remembering the bright young woman Susanna was.
Susana Morales was 16 years old, living in Norcross, Georgia when one night she suddenly disappeared. July 26th, 2022 was a seemingly normal evening, and Susana spent a few hours that night a block away from her house with a friend, at her friend’s apartment. This was something she did often as it was less than a 10-minute walk from her house. But when she never came home that night, her family began to worry. She was reported missing the following morning, but it wasn’t until early February of 2023 that they got answers. On February 6th, Susana’s skeletal remains were found 20 miles from her home, and evidence left at this location led police officers to her killer, fellow police officer Miles Bryant. Bryant has since been arrested and charged with Susana’s murder, along with a string of other crimes he had committed.