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Written by: E. George
Published September 5, 2024 @ 5:45 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding graphic alleged physical violence.
TROUP COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities arrested a woman on Monday, August 19, 2024, in connection with the 2007 cold case murder of 24-year-old Nicole Alston. Angel Marie Thompson was charged with concealing her death after a DNA analysis conducted in early 2023 identified remains discovered on the side of a Troup County road as Alston.
Troup County Sheriff’s deputies found a smoldering black bag near the intersection of Whitfield and Stitcher Roads in the morning hours of December 6, 2007. The burning bag contained human remains consisting of body parts, but the head, hands, and feet were missing.
Following the results of cold case reviews conducted in 2023, officials sent DNA to Gene by Gene Laboratories in Houston, Texas, and Innovative Forensic Investigation in Emporia, Virginia, for genetic genealogical forensics and DNA analysis. The GBI Crime Lab received the results to conduct a comparison, and the testing produced a positive DNA match to Alston on December 13, 2023.
Alston’s family reported last speaking with her on Thanksgiving 2007, after which she vanished. Investigators said interviews with her relatives informed them that Alston had relocated from Manhattan, New York (her last recorded residence) to Atlanta in 2006 with her friend, Thompson.
They learned that Thompson had been a wanted suspect previously accused of identity fraud and theft in New York and had stolen the victim’s identity.
The Troup County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Thompson had collected approximately $200,000 under the guise of Alston. The suspect allegedly pursued and procured Section 8 housing, social security benefits, and countless food stamps items in Alston’s name for roughly eight years after her remains were found (from 2007 to 2015).
Regarding Thompson’s sole charge of concealing a death, a spokesperson from the sheriff’s office stated, “At this time, it has not been determined who actually killed Alston, and this investigation continues.”