SMYRNA, Ga. – An 18-year-old Smyrna man faces a malice murder charge after detectives searching a vehicle Friday evening discovered human remains believed to be missing woman Shanteria “KT” Mosley, according to the Smyrna Police Department.
It comes hours after the department held a news conference and released a more detailed timeline of the investigation.
Shanteria Mosley identified, murder charge filed
What we know:
Detectives executed a search warrant on a vehicle Friday evening, Sept. 25, and discovered trash bags inside the trunk. Investigators noted that one tightly wrapped bag outlined a body part, prompting them to contact the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Once medical examiner staff arrived on scene and opened the bags, they confirmed the presence of human body parts. Based on the investigation to date, police believe the remains belong to Shanteria Mosley, who was known to friends and family as “KT”.
Kingston Lammar Bradley, who was already in custody and charged with concealing the death of another, will now also be charged with malice murder.
Man found with torso in Smyrna
The backstory:
Lt. Holt said officers first went to the apartment complex at about 6:57 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report that the woman’s phone and vehicle were there.
An officer remained for about 30 minutes, knocked on doors and spoke with people at the complex. Police said officers did not have information at that time indicating a critical missing person case or immediate danger.
Because the woman had reportedly last been seen in Atlanta, the family was advised to file a missing person report with Atlanta police.
Smyrna police were called back to the complex at about 8:16 p.m. Investigators said witnesses had seen Bradley carrying a tote from his apartment shortly after the first officer left. The witnesses followed the container and identified the apartment from which Bradley allegedly emerged.
The woman’s torso was found inside the container.
What they’re saying:
Smyrna police addressed the emotional toll of the case during an earlier briefing:
“This is a particularly gruesome crime,” Smyrna Police Lt. Meredith Holt said. “I cannot imagine what the family is going through.”
No connection to other cases confirmed
Dig deeper:
Police said they have no evidence at this point linking the case to other victims or crimes. Information will be shared with other law enforcement databases to determine whether any possible connections exist.
Bradley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Unanswered questions
What we don’t know:
Investigators are working to determine how Mosley and Bradley knew each other and why she was at the apartment.
Reports have suggested that the woman may have been making a DoorDash delivery when she disappeared. Lt. Holt said she had a DoorDash account, but company records showed she was not logged in or accepting deliveries that day.
Authorities have not disclosed exactly how the woman died.
Authorities have not specified who owns the vehicle where the remains were discovered or whether it belonged to Bradley or Mosley.
It remains unclear whether all of Mosley’s remains have been recovered at this time, and police have not specified if search teams are continuing actively looking for additional remains.
Search for additional evidence continues
What’s next:
Lt. Holt said search warrants led to the recovery of a significant amount of material that could be connected to the crime. Court documents previously stated that officers found blood-stained areas, a bloody saw, a mop, a bucket of water and a carpet cleaner inside Bradley’s apartment, along with a strong smell of bleach.
During Friday’s news conference, Holt said they had not yet directly connected Bradley to any possible instrument used in the dismemberment. Investigators are still processing the evidence.
Canine teams and other resources from neighboring agencies assisted with searches around the complex.
Bradley lived with his father, who was at the apartment Wednesday, according to police. Investigators said interviews with the father are continuing. Bradley has not provided a statement to police at this time.
Bradley made his first appearance in Cobb County Magistrate Court on Thursday, where a judge denied him bond. He remains held in custody with his next court hearing scheduled for October.
