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Connection found between teen and his accused killers, police say

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Credit: gfx

Credit: gfx

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By Mike Petchenik
June 19, 2017

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.

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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.

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