Tracking Susana

The true crime podcast episode 'Tracking Susana' recounts the chilling disappearance and murder of 16-year-old Susanna Morales, a vibrant teenager from Gwinnett County, Georgia, who vanished on July 26, 2022, after telling her mother she was going to a friend’s house. Despite her mother’s growing concern and a crash alert from the Live360 app suggesting Susanna may have been in a car accident, no crash was reported. Her family and friends launched a massive search, retracing her steps and posting flyers, while police initially treated it as a missing persons case. Months later, human remains were discovered along Highway 316, and forensic analysis—including black fingernail polish matching a photo of Susanna—confirmed the identity. The investigation pivoted to Miles Bryant, a 22-year-old former Doraville police officer and courtesy officer at the Sterling Glen Apartments where Susanna was last seen. Evidence including his phone records placing him at the scene, a stolen 9mm firearm found near the remains, and disturbing patterns of predatory behavior toward young women led to his arrest. Despite his denial and refusal to testify, Bryant was found guilty of malice murder, kidnapping, felony murder, and false reporting, and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The episode explores themes of trust, justice, and the trauma of a community grappling with the betrayal of a law enforcement officer who became a predator.