The Tragic Timeline: What Happened To Kyelonna Meya Smiley, The Phoenix Teen Victim

The tragic story of Kyelonna Meya Smiley, a 15-year-old girl from Phoenix, Arizona, remains a deeply sensitive and high-profile case within the community. As of December 10, 2025, the details surrounding her death in August of this year have been largely confirmed by the Phoenix Police Department, closing the main investigation but leaving a profound sense of loss and unanswered questions for her family and the public.

The case is a chilling reminder of the vulnerability of runaway teens and the devastating impact of gun violence. Kyelonna was found deceased inside a senior living apartment, an unexpected location that became the focal point of a brief but intense homicide investigation that concluded with the death of the primary suspect.

Kyelonna Meya Smiley: A Brief Profile and Tragic Timeline

Kyelonna Meya Smiley was born on July 7, 2010. Though her life was cut short at the age of 15, she was a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, and like many teenagers, she had a life full of potential, friends, and family who loved her. The circumstances leading up to her death began just days before the tragic discovery, establishing a critical timeline for the investigation.

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Key Biographical and Case Details

• Full Name: Kyelonna Meya Smiley
• Date of Birth: July 7, 2010
• Age at Death: 15 years old
• Residence: Phoenix, Arizona
• Date Last Seen: August 1, 2025 (The day she ran away from home)
• Date of Death: August 4, 2025
• Cause of Death: Gunshot wound (Homicide)
• Location of Discovery: A senior living apartment near 77th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard, West Phoenix
• Funeral Services: Handled by Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Maryvale
• Memorial: Listed on the National Gun Violence Memorial

On August 1, 2025, Kyelonna ran away from her home. This status as a runaway teen added a layer of complexity and concern for her mother and family in the days that followed. Her brief disappearance tragically ended on the morning of August 4, 2025, when Phoenix police were called to a senior living community apartment.

Officers responded to the scene around 9:40 a.m.. Upon arrival, they found the 15-year-old girl injured and unresponsive inside the apartment. She was pronounced dead at the scene, having succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound. The immediate investigation quickly shifted from a missing person case to a high-priority homicide.

The Phoenix Homicide Investigation and Suspect

The location of the crime—a senior living apartment—was unusual and immediately raised questions about how Kyelonna came to be there, especially since it was not her residence. The Phoenix Police Department worked quickly to identify the victim and the person responsible for the shooting, leading them to a resident of the complex.

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The Suspect: Nohe Prado Morelia

Detectives identified the primary suspect as 67-year-old Nohe Prado Morelia. Morelia was a resident of the senior living community where Kyelonna’s body was discovered. The age gap between the victim and the suspect—a difference of more than four decades—was a shocking detail that underscored the disturbing nature of the crime.

The connection between the 15-year-old girl, who had run away from home, and the 67-year-old man residing in a senior community, remains a central point of mystery in the case. Police have not publicly detailed the exact nature of their relationship or how Kyelonna came to be in his apartment on the day of her murder.

Court records indicate that Nohe Prado Morelia had a prior history, including a DUI charge in Maricopa County, though the relevance of this to the homicide remains unclear.

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Sudden Closure of the Case

The search for the suspect concluded abruptly just four days after Kyelonna’s body was found. On August 8, 2025, Nohe Prado Morelia was found dead. Authorities determined that the 67-year-old suspect took his own life.

With the death of the sole identified suspect, the Phoenix Police Department’s Homicide Bureau officially closed the case. While the closure provides a legal resolution, it simultaneously eliminated the possibility of a trial that could have revealed more details about the events leading up to Kyelonna’s death. This sudden ending has left her family, particularly her mother, with a deep need for answers that may now never be fully provided.

Community Impact, Gun Violence Context, and Unanswered Questions

The murder of Kyelonna Meya Smiley resonated throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, bringing attention to several critical social issues, including the safety of vulnerable teenagers, the prevalence of gun violence, and the complexities of runaway youth cases.

Focus on Vulnerability and Runaway Teens

The fact that Kyelonna was a runaway teen at the time of her death highlights the significant dangers faced by youth who leave home. Runaway and homeless youth are often at extreme risk of exploitation, violence, and harm. Her case serves as a tragic entity in the ongoing discussion about resources and support systems needed to protect vulnerable teenagers in Maricopa County and beyond.

The community response involved an outpouring of grief and calls for greater awareness regarding teen safety. Her death was a shock, particularly as it occurred in a location generally considered protected, like a senior living facility.

A Memorial to Gun Violence

Kyelonna Meya Smiley is remembered on the National Gun Violence Memorial, a somber recognition of her life being lost to a fatal shooting. This inclusion places her story within the broader national conversation about gun violence and its devastating effects on young people. The memorial serves as a place for the community to remember her and acknowledge the tragedy.

The investigation, despite its swift closure, involved significant resources from the Phoenix Police Department, including the Homicide Bureau and Forensic Services. The initial media advisory from the City of Phoenix provided updates to the public, confirming the identities of both the victim and the suspect, ensuring transparency about the case's progress.

The Lingering Questions

While the case is legally closed, several key questions continue to be discussed by those following the story. The primary mysteries include:

• The exact nature of the relationship between 15-year-old Kyelonna and 67-year-old Nohe Prado Morelia.
• How Kyelonna, a runaway teen, gained access to the senior living community apartment.
• The motive behind the shooting.

For her mother and family, the search for closure is ongoing, even with the legal conclusion of the case. They continue to seek a deeper understanding of the events of August 4, 2025, and a way to honor the memory of Kyelonna Meya Smiley.

Relevant Entities and Topical Authority

The story of Kyelonna Meya Smiley is connected to numerous entities relevant to the fields of law enforcement, community safety, and social services. These entities provide topical authority and context to the tragic event:

• Phoenix Police Department (PPD)
• Homicide Bureau
• Nohe Prado Morelia (Suspect)
• Maricopa County
• West Phoenix (Geographical area)
• 77th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard (Crime scene location)
• Senior Living Community
• Gun Violence Memorial
• Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services – Maryvale
• Teen Runaway Crisis
• Arizona State Law Enforcement
• Forensic Services
• Gun Violence Awareness
• Victim Advocacy Groups
• Community Safety Initiatives
• Juvenile Services
• Child Protection Services