Police said they have charged two people for killing a teen, then dumping his body near Macon.

Alpharetta police told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik that the suspects knew the victim.

Officers said that Deri Bonaventura-Flores, 19, and Hali Karlan, 20, were introduced to Elijah Smith, 16, through a friend.

TRENDING STORIES:

Police told Petchenik that the trio met up an extended stay hotel Tuesday July 13.

Authorities said that at some point, the pair shot and killed Smith, then drove his body to a remote wooded area off Interstate 16 in Twiggs County.

Officers said they received a tip after putting out that Smith was missing and the tip led them right to his body.

Bonaventura-Flores is in the Polk County jail on unrelated charges, and Karlan remains in the Fulton County jail without bond.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Rivian announced it will establish an East Coast headquarters at Junction Krog District in Atlanta. (Courtesy of Rivian)

Credit: Courtesy of Rivian

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC