The Morgan Bauer murder case, which sat unsolved for seven years after the 19-year-old vanished in metro Atlanta in February 2016, is now half-closed: Jonathan Alexander Warren pleaded guilty to her murder in January 2024 and is serving life without parole, while co-defendant Katelyn Grace Goble remains charged with murder and awaits trial.1FBI Atlanta. Guilty Plea in Murder of Morgan Bauer
Who Morgan Bauer Was and How She Disappeared
Bauer flew into Atlanta on February 12, 2016, from her hometown of Aberdeen, South Dakota, planning to start over in a bigger city. She had lined up a Craigslist arrangement to stay with someone in exchange for housecleaning. When that fell through, she worked briefly, about a week, as a dancer at the Top of Gainesville club in Hall County.2NBC News. Thousands Searching for Teen Morgan Bauer Who Disappeared After Moving to Atlanta
Her disappearance was originally reported as February 25, 2016, with an account that she had been dropped off at a Citgo on Highway 278 in Covington. Later reporting corrected the timeline. Her last confirmed contact was February 26, 2016, when she posted an Instagram video from Porterdale Yellow River Park with a man visible standing behind her. Warren and Goble were the last two people known to have seen her alive.3Covington News. Timeline: Seven-Year-Old Missing Persons Case of Morgan Bauer4The Charley Project. Morgan Aryn Bauer
How the Case Was Solved in 2023
A new tip broke the case open. On July 27, 2023, the FBI, Porterdale Police, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and police from Peoria, Illinois, and Atlanta executed a search warrant at a South Broad Street property in Porterdale, less than a mile from the park where Bauer was last seen.5New York Post. FBI Searches Home in Disappearance of Morgan Bauer The FBI later confirmed the “items of evidentiary interest” recovered at the scene were Bauer’s bones.1FBI Atlanta. Guilty Plea in Murder of Morgan Bauer
Warren was arrested in Los Angeles in August 2023 and Goble in Peoria, Illinois. Both were extradited to Newton County, Georgia, and held without bond.6Covington News. Details of Morgan Bauer’s Disappearance and Death Revealed in Indictments7WSB-TV. Indictments Reveal New Details in Disappearance, Death of Morgan Bauer
What Prosecutors Alleged
A Newton County Superior Court grand jury indicted both defendants in October 2023. The indictments alleged Bauer died by strangulation, with both defendants placing their hands around her neck, and that the pair then dismembered and burned her body to destroy evidence.6Covington News. Details of Morgan Bauer’s Disappearance and Death Revealed in Indictments
Warren was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, concealing the death of another, and necrophilia. Goble was charged with the same counts except for necrophilia.7WSB-TV. Indictments Reveal New Details in Disappearance, Death of Morgan Bauer
Warren’s Guilty Plea and Life Sentence
On January 10, 2024, Warren pleaded guilty in Newton County Court to malice murder, tampering with evidence, concealing the death of another, and necrophilia. The plea was non-negotiated, meaning there was no agreed sentence between the prosecution and defense. Warren reportedly asked for life with the possibility of parole. The court imposed life without parole.8Fox 5 Atlanta. Missing Morgan Bauer Suspect Pleads Guilty to Porterdale Teen’s Murder9Covington News. Man Pleads Guilty, Sentenced Life Without Parole in Morgan Bauer Case
Where Goble’s Case Stands
Katelyn Goble, now 29, was indicted in November 2023 and still faces malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, and concealing the death of another.10Atlanta News First. Vigil Honors Morgan Bauer Whose Remains Were Found Seven Years After Disappearing
At an October 22, 2025 motions hearing, prosecutors argued to introduce social media material they say shows motive. That material includes TikTok videos in which Goble allegedly discusses a fascination with serial killers and the occult, a video appearing to show her holding a severed head, a video displaying the Satanic Bible, and writings she authored. Prosecutors also said they plan to call Warren as a witness, expecting him to testify that Goble expressed interest in forensic pathology and a desire to “murder someone to cut up a body.” Goble’s attorney, Ifeoluwa Rogers Ben-Shidah, argued the content is irrelevant and inflammatory, and that its prejudicial effect substantially outweighs any probative value. The judge took the motion under advisement without an immediate ruling.11Court TV. Judge Weighs Admissibility of Occult Evidence in Georgia Murder Case
As of the most recent available reporting, Goble has not entered a plea and no trial date has been publicly confirmed.