An 18-year-old man has been charged with malice murder after police searching a vehicle in Smyrna, Georgia, found human remains believed to belong to missing woman Shanteria “KT” Mosley.
Kingston Lammar Bradley was already in custody on suspicion of concealing the death of another person when detectives found several rubbish bags in the boot of a vehicle on Friday, 25 September. One tightly wrapped bag appeared to contain a body part, prompting officers to call the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Medical examiner staff later confirmed that the bags contained human remains. Police said they believed they belonged to Mosley, 26, whose family had reported her missing.
Investigation began after family tracked phone
Smyrna officers first attended the Park Valley Apartments at about 6.57pm on Wednesday after being told that Mosley’s mobile phone and vehicle were at the complex.
An officer spent roughly half an hour knocking on doors and speaking to residents. Police said officers had not been given information indicating that Mosley was in immediate danger or that the case should be treated as a critical missing-person investigation.
The family was initially advised to contact Atlanta police because Mosley was believed to have last been seen there. Officers were called back to the apartment complex at about 8.16pm after witnesses reported seeing Bradley carrying a plastic container from an apartment.
Witnesses followed the container and identified the flat from which Bradley had allegedly emerged. A woman’s torso was found inside the container, according to investigators.
Search warrants carried out at the apartment reportedly led to the recovery of blood-stained material, a saw, a mop, a bucket of water and a carpet cleaner. Investigators also reported a strong smell of bleach.
Police said they had recovered a significant amount of potential evidence but had not yet directly linked Bradley to any instrument used to dismember the body. Officers, including canine teams from neighbouring agencies, have continued searching the apartment complex and surrounding areas.
Police yet to establish relationship
Detectives are investigating how Mosley and Bradley knew one another and why she was at the apartment. Officers have not disclosed how Mosley died, whether all her remains have been recovered or who owned the vehicle in which the additional remains were found.
Mosley was reported to have a DoorDash account, but investigators said company records showed she was not logged in or accepting deliveries on the day she disappeared. Police have not confirmed what brought her to the complex.
Lieutenant Meredith Holt, Smyrna police’s public information officer, said the department had found no evidence linking the case to other victims or crimes. Interviews, including with Bradley’s father, who lived at the apartment, are continuing.
“This is a particularly gruesome crime,” Lt Holt said. “I cannot imagine what the family is going through.”
Bradley has not given a statement to police. He appeared in Cobb County Magistrate Court on Thursday, where a judge denied bond, and remains in custody. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
