The man police say murdered Kyelonna Meya Smiley, at a west Phoenix apartment was found to have taken his own life days after the killing.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, on August 8, 2025, Phoenix Police officers responded to a business in the area of 24th Street and Van Buren Street regarding a dead body. When officers arrived, they located 67-year-old Nohe Prado Morelia who was pronounced deceased. Detectives responded to assume the death investigation. This investigation revealed that the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The man was identified as Morelia.
Since the date of Morelia’s death, detectives continued to work the murder of Kyelonna Smiley. This investigation has resulted in detectives establishing that Morelia was responsible for the murder of the 15-year-old girl.
No other suspects are believed to be involved in the murder. The motive remains unknown.