GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – The trial of ex-Doraville police officer Miles Bryant continues as he faces charges in the murder case of 16-year-old Susana Morales. Morales went missing in the summer of 2022, and months later, her remains were discovered in the woods. The prosecution opened with testimony from family and friends, recounting Morales’ disappearance and the subsequent search efforts.
During the trial, Morales’ mother, Maria Bran, emotionally testified about the night her daughter went missing, supported by an interpreter. Her sister, Jasmine Perez, detailed their use of the Life360 app in the search, while friends Kelly Paguada and Alyssa Marvin shared their final memories with Morales. The defense challenged the timeline of events surrounding Morales’ disappearance, aiming to argue Bryant’s innocence. The trial, expected to span two weeks, resumes on Thursday.
The unsettling details of the case include allegations that Bryant, terminated from the Doraville Police Department upon arrest in early 2023, dumped Morales’ naked body in the woods. The authorities provided a timeline suggesting that Bryant killed Morales after she visited a friend on July 26, 2022. Bryant remains incarcerated, having been denied bond twice, most recently in May 2023.
Police investigations reveal that Morales went missing on the evening of July 26, 2022, after visiting a friend in a nearby apartment complex. She was reportedly taken between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on her way home, with authorities believing she was killed by 2 a.m. the following day. Doraville Police Chief James D. McClure stated that Morales was reported missing at 9 a.m. on July 27, and there were suspicions of foul play due to her extended absence.
Bryant, a former Doraville police officer who resided near Morales’ location, has faced previous allegations of disturbing behavior, including an instance in 2018 where he allegedly attempted to enter a neighbor’s home through a window. Chief McClure revealed past incidents involving Bryant, indicating a pattern of concerning actions. The ongoing trial sheds light on the tragic loss of Susana Morales and the pursuit of justice in her case.