An 18-year-old man has been charged with malice murder after human remains found during a search of a vehicle in Smyrna, Georgia, were identified by police as belonging to missing woman Shanteria “KT” Mosley.
Kingston Lammar Bradley was already being held on a charge of concealing the death of another person when Smyrna police announced the additional charge on Friday, September 25. He remains in custody without bond.
Investigators discovered tightly wrapped bags in the boot of a vehicle while executing a search warrant. One appeared to contain part of a body, prompting the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office to attend and confirm that human remains were present.
Police said they believe the remains are those of Ms Mosley. Formal identification by the medical examiner is understood to be pending, with DNA testing being carried out.
Witness reported seeing plastic tub
The investigation began after officers were called to the Park Valley Apartments at about 6.57pm on Wednesday, following reports that Ms Mosley’s phone and vehicle had been found there.
An officer spent roughly 30 minutes at the complex, knocking on doors and speaking to residents. Police said officers did not initially have information indicating that the case involved an immediate danger or a critical missing person.
After the officer left, witnesses reportedly saw Bradley carrying a container from his flat. Police were called back at about 8.16pm, and the witnesses directed investigators to the apartment from which he had emerged.
A dismembered torso was found inside the container, according to police and court documents. Subsequent searches of Bradley’s apartment uncovered areas of suspected blood staining, a saw described as bloody, a mop, a bucket of water and a carpet cleaner. Officers also reported a strong smell of bleach.
Ms Mosley’s family has said she was a 26-year-old mother known to relatives and friends as “KT”. Reports that she may have been making a DoorDash delivery when she disappeared are being examined, although investigators said company records showed she was not logged in or accepting deliveries that day.
Police have not disclosed how Ms Mosley died, how she knew Bradley or whether all of her remains have been recovered. Search teams, including canine units and officers from neighbouring agencies, have continued working around the apartment complex.
“This is a particularly gruesome crime,” Smyrna police lieutenant Meredith Holt said during a briefing. “I cannot imagine what the family is going through.”
Detectives said they had not confirmed any link between the case and other victims or crimes. Bradley has not given a statement to police, and interviews with his father, who was at the apartment on Wednesday, are continuing.
Bradley appeared before Cobb County Magistrates Court on Thursday, when a judge denied him bond. His next hearing is scheduled for October.
He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
