Teen found dead at Columbia motel; police investigating case as homicide

ABC 17 News confirmed on Friday a 16-year-old girl was found dead at a Columbia motel.

Police are investigating the case as a homicide.

Morgan Myers was found unconscious at around 5:45 a.m. Thursday at Providence Suites, formerly America’sBest Value Inn, at the corner of Providence Road and Vandiver Drive near I-70.

A man called 911 and said he found the victim in his room. He hung up without identifying himself and left before officers arrived.

Lt. Joe Bernhard of the Columbia Police commented, “We would want to talk to him to find out the circumstancesof what happened and how he found her.”

Police are investigating all possible causes of Myers’ death including drugs.

“They found circumstances there I guess that lead them to believe it wasn’t a natural death. 16 years old, it wasn’t natural.”

Police would not confirm what they found inside the motel room or why Myers was there.

ABC 17 News was able to confirm that Myers was a former student at Rock Bridge High School who had been kicked out of schoolin December for not attending class.

Several of Myers’ friends gave a little more insight into her life Friday.

One friend said, “She made many wrong choices, but all she wanted was genuine love. She didn’t trust people easily, but once she did, oh my God she was amazing. Wow, I just can’t believe this.”

Another friend said Myers was not a stranger to drugs like heroin but had been working on herself with the help of Boys and Girls Town.

A third friend described Myers as a very special person.

“She had a heart of gold and was special to me. RIP Morgan Myers, I love you baby girl.”

Police are not confirming a drug overdose but sources close to the investigation said that is likely.

Police also said Morgan Myers was considered to be a runaway child, which means her parents had reported that she left home last month.

An autopsy was set for later in the day on Friday.