An 18-year-old Georgia man is facing a malice murder charge after detectives found additional human remains in a vehicle, two days after a family searching for their missing loved one encountered him at a Smyrna apartment complex.
Shanteria “Tia” Mosely, 26, had reportedly stopped responding to relatives on Wednesday, Sept. 23, prompting her family to trace her phone and vehicle to Park Valley Apartments at 4590 Valley Parkway in Smyrna, Cobb County, Georgia. Her family identified remains found there as Tia, who was also known to loved ones as “KT.” Smyrna police later said investigators believe the victim is Mosely.
Police have not released her cause or manner of death.
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Her Family Tracked Her Phone To Park Valley Apartments
Tia’s relatives said she left home that Wednesday morning intending to make DoorDash deliveries. When she stopped answering calls and messages later in the day, family members began searching for her.
Her aunt, Michelle Weaver, told 11Alive that the family tracked Tia’s phone to Park Valley Apartments and found her vehicle at the complex. Relatives contacted Smyrna police and showed a responding officer the area where the phone had last registered.
The DoorDash portion of the timeline has since become less clear. Although Tia’s family believed she had gone out to work, investigators said records showed her DoorDash account was not logged in or accepting deliveries that day. Reporting also indicates she had not previously made a delivery to the apartment complex. Police have not said what brought her there.
According to Weaver, the responding officer knocked on several doors before leaving. Tia’s family stayed and continued searching the property themselves.
They also spoke with people at the complex, including Kingston Lammar Bradley, an 18-year-old resident. Weaver said Bradley told relatives he had not seen anyone leave Tia’s vehicle.
Tia’s Aunt Saw Bradley Carrying A Container
An arrest warrant later identified Weaver as the witness who saw Bradley carrying a plastic tub through an open area of the complex between approximately 8 and 8:28 p.m.
According to the warrant, Bradley dropped the container on a dirt walkway and ran toward a nearby apartment after realizing Weaver had seen him. Authorities found a dismembered human torso inside the container.
Tia’s relatives recognized her from a tattoo.
Weaver criticized the initial police response, saying the family stayed at the complex and kept searching after the first officer left.
“Don’t say y’all found her. Her family found her,” Weaver said.
Smyrna Police Lt. Meredith Holt later said officers were first called around 6:57 p.m. regarding Tia’s phone and vehicle and remained for about 30 minutes. Police were called back roughly half an hour later after a witness saw Bradley with the container.
The arrest warrant alleges that investigators searching Bradley’s apartment found areas of blood staining and a blood-covered saw. Police also reported a strong odor of bleach and found cleaning equipment inside.
Bradley was initially arrested and charged with concealing the death of another person.
Additional Remains Led To Malice Murder Charge
The case changed again Friday, Sept. 25, when detectives executed a search warrant on a vehicle and found garbage bags inside its trunk.
One bag appeared to contain a body part, Smyrna police said. Investigators contacted the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office before opening the bags, and additional human remains were confirmed. Police said they believe those remains also belong to Tia.
Following that discovery, Smyrna police announced that Bradley would also be charged with malice murder.
Investigators have not publicly explained any relationship between Tia and Bradley. Police were still interviewing witnesses and working to determine whether anyone else may have been involved.
Tia’s family has continued asking for answers about what happened to her.
“We just want justice, and we want the truth,” Weaver told WSB-TV.
Relatives described Tia as a mother, daughter, and sister remembered for her laughter and outgoing personality.
The Smyrna Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is handling the case. Anyone with information can contact the department at 770-434-9481. Anonymous information may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477).
Please share this story about Shanteria “Tia” Mosely as investigators continue working to establish what happened to her. She is our sister, and her life matters.
Case Number:
Agency: Smyrna Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division
Phone: 770-434-9481
Email:
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