Judge sentences ex-officer to life in prison for murder of 16-year-old Gwinnett County girl – WSB-TV Channel 2

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A jury returned a guilty verdict Wednesday against former Doraville police officer Miles Bryant, accused of kidnapping and killing 16-year-old Susana Morales.

The judge then sentenced Bryant to life without parole.

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The sentence was handed down Wednesday evening after Morales' family members made emotional statements to the court judge.

Channel 2 Action News has been following this case since Morales disappeared in July 2022.

Prosecutor Brandon Delfunt told the jury that Bryant, who was a police officer at the time, betrayed his badge and oath on July 26, 2022.

Delfunt said Bryant kidnapped Morales, attempted to rape her, then dumped her naked, lifeless body in the woods near the 316 Freeway.

She was found in February 2023.

Channel 2 Action News compiled a timeline of events from Morales' death to Bryant's arrest.

JULY 26, 2022:

6 p.m.: Susana Morales leaves her home on Santa Anna Drive in Norcross and heads to a friend's house nearby.

9:40 p.m.: Morales texts her mother to let her know she is walking home from Windscape Village.

It's the same apartment complex in Norcross where Bryant lives. His unit overlooks the Morales family home. Police said they do not believe Morales and Bryant had a prior relationship.

10:00 p.m.: Morales still hasn't returned home.

10:07 p.m. – 10:21 p.m.: A tracking app shows her walking on Singleton Road.

10:21 p.m. – 10:26 p.m.: Morales' phone indicates his last known location was Oak Loch Trace, near Steve Reynolds Boulevard.

10:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Detectives believe Morales met Bryant and may have gotten into his vehicle.

10 p.m. July 26 – 2 a.m. July 27: Detectives believe Morales was killed.

JULY 27, 2022

9 a.m.: Morales' parents report him missing to the police.

11:00 a.m.: Bryant reports his gun stolen.

OCTOBER. 2, 2022: Bryant responds to a report of a missing child but waits three days to complete the report, according to personnel records. Bryant is written.

DEC. 11, 2022: A former friend of Bryant files a police report claiming he showed up uninvited at her apartment on multiple occasions for nearly a year. The case is never assigned.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023: Morales' remains are in a wooded area off Highway 316 on the Gwinnett/Barrow county line.

Police find a gun near the remains. They determine that it is registered to Bryant.

FEB. 13, 2023: Gwinnett County arrests Bryant for concealing a death and false reporting of a crime.

FEB. 22, 2023: Bryant is charged with murder and kidnapping.

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In court Wednesday, the prosecution called Bryant a “monster” and a “sexual deviant,” saying he repeatedly lied to investigators about Morales' disappearance and murder.

The judge sentenced Bryant to life without parole, plus 12 months.

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