Phoenix police said in a Tuesday update, they identified Nohe Morelia, 67, as a suspect in the teen\u2019s shooting death.<\/p>\n
Detectives searched for Morelia but were initially unable to find him.<\/p>\n
On Friday, officers were then called to a business in the area of 24th and Van Buren streets<\/a> for reports of a dead body.<\/p>\n When police arrived, they found a man who was pronounced dead.<\/p>\n Detectives who took over the investigation determined that man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and identified him as Morelia.<\/p>\n Phoenix police said they have concluded that Morelia was responsible for Smiley\u2019s death and closed the investigation.<\/p>\n However, the motive remains unknown.<\/p>\n Details on murder of 15-year-old<\/p>\n Officers responded to reports of a dead body in the area of 77th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard<\/a> around 9:40 a.m. They found Smiley with a gunshot wound.<\/p>\n She was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n The Office of the Medical Examiner has taken custody of her remains.<\/p>\n This is an updated version of a story originally published on Aug. 6, 2025<\/p>\n Follow @KTAR923<\/a><\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/KTAREmail-830x100-1.jpg\")
\t