A woman was recently taken into custody by authorities on charges of hiding her friend’s death and stealing benefits using her name. The body was discovered in a smoldering black bag when deputies arrived at the intersection of Whitfield and Stitcher roads early on December 6, 2007, according to the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.
It was said that the head, hands, and feet were missing.
In 2023, investigators sent DNA samples for examination and genetic genealogy testing to Gene by Gene Laboratories and Innovative Forensic Investigations. After that, the findings were forwarded to the crime lab of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for comparison.
Thus, on December 13, 2023, investigators conclusively identified the victim as Nicole Alston, a 24-year-old Manhattan, New York resident, according to the sheriff’s office.
The last time family members heard from the victim, according to deputies, was in late November 2007. Alston had moved to Atlanta with her friend Angel Thompson after leaving New York, they said.
Thompson was at that time allegedly wanted in New York for theft and identity fraud, according to the authorities.
Thompson allegedly “began identifying herself as Alston” following the discovery of Alston’s remains, according to deputies, and she used this identity to obtain food stamps, Section 8 housing, and supplemental security income payments for almost eight years.
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An approximate sum of $200,000 is the projected fraud amount.
Thompson took on her true identity when the Social Security Administration requested that “Alston” reapply in person in 2015, according to the sheriff’s office.
Thompson was detained by the authorities on August 19 on suspicion of hiding a death. As of this now, authorities do not have a suspect in Alston’s real death.
