Suspect in murder of 15-year-old in Phoenix dies by suicide

PHOENIX — The suspect in the murder of a 15-year-old in Phoenix died suicide last week, authorities said.

On Aug. 4, 15-year-old Kyelonna Meya Smiley was found dead inside an apartment with a gunshot wound, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

Authorities initially said the victim was a woman in her 20s, but a Thursday update identified the victim as Smiley.

Phoenix police said in a Tuesday update, they identified Nohe Morelia, 67, as a suspect in the teen’s shooting death.

Detectives searched for Morelia but were initially unable to find him.

On Friday, officers were then called to a business in the area of 24th and Van Buren streets for reports of a dead body.

When police arrived, they found a man who was pronounced dead.

Detectives who took over the investigation determined that man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and identified him as Morelia.

Phoenix police said they have concluded that Morelia was responsible for Smiley’s death and closed the investigation.

However, the motive remains unknown.

Details on murder of 15-year-old

Officers responded to reports of a dead body in the area of 77th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard around 9:40 a.m. They found Smiley with a gunshot wound.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Office of the Medical Examiner has taken custody of her remains.

This is an updated version of a story originally published on Aug. 6, 2025

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