A 15-year-old girl was found shot to death in a west Phoenix apartment, and police say the case has been closed because the man suspected of killing her committed suicide.
Around 9:40 a.m. on August 4, officers discovered 15-year-old Kyelonna Meya Smiley shot to death inside an apartment at a senior living community near 77th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard, according to a Phoenix Police Department press release.
According to the release, detectives later identified the suspect as Nohe Prado Morelia, a 67-year-old complex resident. Morelia was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a business near 24th Street and Van Buren, four days after Smiley died.
“Since Morelia’s death, homicide detectives have been investigating the murder of Kyelonna Smiley.” This investigation has led detectives to the conclusion that Morelia was responsible for Smiley’s murder.
No other suspects are thought to be involved in the murder. “The motive remains unknown,” the department stated in their release. “This case has been closed.”
Smiley’s mother, Fiyonna Austin, told Arizona’s Family that her daughter had left home on Friday, August 1, and was believed to be staying with a friend. When she failed to return by Monday, Austin filed a missing persons report. Two days later, she found out her daughter had died.
“It’s extremely frustrating at this point.” I don’t know why my baby was taken. I’m really angry. And the guy who murdered my baby ended the whole thing in a cowardly way by taking his own life, and I just want to know why,” Austin told the outlet.
She also told Fox 10 Phoenix: “The person who took my baby away shattered my world.” I’m very sad and heartbroken.”
Austin claimed she had never met Morelia and had no idea why her daughter was at the senior community. Kyelonna was about to start her freshman year at Trevor G. Browne High School, according to reports.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family with funeral costs and other expenses.
“This is incredibly painful to share with the rest of the world,” her mother stated in the initiative. “She passed away so young and had a whole life to live.”
