BALTIMORE — Loving and caring is how one friend described Kozee Spriggs, 18, who was reported missing and later found dead behind a home in East Baltimore.
“It was always a happy moment with us,” Camiya Wells said.
Wells said she knew Spriggs since the third grade. The two went to Gilmore Elementary School together.
“She was just joyful. She was loving, she was caring. She was helpful. And her family. They are wonderful. Wonderful family, especially her mom…“I just can’t believe it,” she said.
The 18-year-old was reported missing for more than a week. Family and friends hoped for her safe return and were devastated when police found her decomposing body on June 15th behind a home in the 1300 block of Ensor Street in East Baltimore.
“Today when I got the phone call and it was confirmed that it was her, I couldn’t do nothing but cry because that was my friend,” she said.
Baltimore City Police arrested Kevin Dudley, 38, in connection to her death two days later at his home on Glyndon Avenue. Dudley is accused of shooting and killing Spriggs. He’s now facing first and second degree murder charges.
“Very disturbing. For somebody to do that to that young girl man and to dump her body; no telling what he did to her. It’s terrible,” said Bobby Williams.
Williams said her body was found behind his home. He said his neighbor discovered it and showed him a picture he sent to police.
Williams couldn’t believe it.
“He say you know this young girl. I said ‘is that a girl’? [The] only thing I could see was pants and shoes,” he said. “It messed me up real bad.”
Wells said her heart goes out to the family. And as we wait for more details on what exactly happened, all she can wonder is why.
“What did she ever do that made you ever want to hurt her,” Well said. If you look at her you can just tell she’s a loving person would never hurt anyone.“
It's unclear what led investigators to Dudley.
