Missing DeKalb teen found dead, police open homicide investigation

DeKALB – A 15-year-old girl reported missing by her family was found dead in DeKalb on Sunday. Police are investigating the teenager’s death as a homicide, authorities said.

An adult man has been arrested in the teenager’s death, but no charges have yet announced, said DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd.

The victim was a student at DeKalb High School, Byrd said.

The family of the 15-year-old reported her missing to DeKalb police Saturday, according to a Sunday evening news release from the DeKalb Police Department. The family told police they hadn’t seen the teenager since Thursday evening.

According to police, phone records show that the teenager had been at an address in the 500 block of College Avenue in DeKalb on May 4.

During the investigation, DeKalb police found the missing teenager’s body Sunday afternoon in the 500 block of College Avenue, according to the release.

Using search warrants, police reportedly searched a nearby residence and arrested a man in connection to the girl’s death.

No details on charges or identity of the suspect have been released as of 6:11 p.m. Sunday, although DeKalb police said the suspect is in police custody.

The suspect reportedly knew the victim, who also has not been identified.

According to DeKalb police, formal charges are pending against the suspect.

“There is no threat to the general public in this case,” DeKalb police wrote. “The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”

In an email sent to DeKalb School District 428 families at 7:43 p.m. Sunday, Superintendent Minerva Garcia-Sanchez announced the death of a freshman DeKalb High School student. Garcia-Sanchez confirmed Sunday the student death is the same reported by DeKalb police.

“It is with sadness that I share the news today that the students and staff of DeKalb High School, along with the entire District 428, experienced a tragedy today with the death of one of our freshman students,” Garcia-Sanchez wrote. “All of us are grieving this tragic loss.”

The superintendent’s email said the district’s crisis intervention team will be on hand to allow students the chance to talk with professional staff if desired. An increased level of individual and group counseling services also will be available this upcoming week at the school, she said.

“We will continue to provide these services to students as long as they are needed,” Garcia-Sanchez wrote, adding some tips to families for how to help their child or student experiencing a loss.

“As we gather more information, we will be providing information about the crisis, as well as discussing many ways that you as a caregiver can assist your child in processing the impact of this tragedy,” Garcia-Sanchez wrote.

This story was updated at 9:09 p.m. May 7, 2023 with comment from officials with the DeKalb School District 428.