Nationwide — Shanteria “Tia” Mosley, a 26-year-old African American woman from Smyrna, Georgia, was identified after her dismembered remains were found at an apartment complex. Police have arrested 18-year-old Kingston Bradley and said he will also face a malice murder charge. Investigators are still trying to determine how Mosley ended up at the complex and what led to her death.
The investigation began Wednesday night, Sept. 23, after a witness reportedly saw Bradley carrying a container containing a human torso at an apartment complex near South Cobb Drive. The witness said Bradley dropped the container and ran after being seen. Officers later searched his apartment and reported finding blood stains in several areas, a large saw with blood on it, a mop bucket, a carpet cleaner, and a strong smell of bleach.
Mosley’s family had already been searching for her after they could not reach her. They said they traced her phone to the area and contacted police at about 6:57 p.m. An officer arrived and spent roughly 30 minutes knocking on doors and speaking with residents before leaving. The family stayed in the area and contacted police again at 8:16 p.m. The torso was discovered during the events that followed. A relative told 11Alive that the family had also spoken with Bradley while searching for Mosley. He reportedly told them he had not seen anyone leave her vehicle.
Her family recognized the remains by a tattoo, but authorities initially waited for formal identification from the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. Police also worked with relatives on DNA testing. By Friday night, investigators said they believed the victim was Mosley, who was known as “KT” by people close to her. During a separate search of a vehicle, officers found garbage bags in the trunk. Police said one bag was tightly wrapped around what appeared to be a body part, and the medical examiner later confirmed that the bag contained human remains.
Investigators have also been trying to understand why Mosley was at the apartment complex. Her relatives said she left home that day to work as a DoorDash delivery driver. Police, however, said DoorDash told them Mosley did not clock in that day and had no record of making a delivery to the complex. Investigators believe she was killed between 10 a.m. and noon on Sept. 23. Police said they did not receive reports of screaming, suspicious activity or other noise complaints from the area during that time.
Bradley was first charged with concealing the death of another person before police announced the additional malice murder charge. Investigators have issued several search warrants and are conducting interviews while examining evidence from multiple possible scenes. They are also trying to establish whether Bradley and Mosley knew each other and how she came to the apartment complex. Police said Bradley’s father lived with him and has been interviewed, but investigators have not indicated that he was involved in the death. Bradley also has previous felony allegations stemming from a confrontation with his father. Police said they currently have no indication of other victims but will continue checking databases and pursuing possible connections.