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On the morning of December 6, 2007, deputies with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the corner of Whitfield Road and Stitcher Road regarding a suspicious black bag that appeared to be burning. When they arrived on scene they discovered what appeared to be human remains that had been dumped at the location and a bag was smoldering. The remains were partial as the hands, feet and head were missing.

In early 2023 after a review of cold cases, this case along with DNA was sent to Innovative Forensic Investigations (Emporia, VA) and Gene by Gene Laboratories (Houston, TX) for DNA analysis and genetic genealogy forensics. Those results were then sent to the GBI crime lab for comparison. On December 13, 2023 our office received word that a positive DNA match was made and the identity was that of Nicole Alston whose last known residence was Manhattan, New York and she was 24 years of age at that time.

The investigation continued and through contact with her family it was learned that Nicole Alston had left New York with her friend Angel Marie Thompson to live in Atlanta. At that time Thompson was wanted in New York for theft and identity fraud. The family last heard from Nicole around Thanksgiving of 2007.

In August of this year, Investigator Clay Bryant determined that after the discovery of the remains of Nicole Alston, Angel Thompson began identifying herself as Alston and was collecting Alston’s SSI Benefits, Food Stamp Allotment, acquiring Section 8 Housing all as Nicole Alston for a period of 8 years. In 2015 Social Security Administration contacted Alston.

Thompson to come in to requalify for benefits at which time Thompson reassumes her original identity. The estimated value of the fraud amount is approximately $200,000 and this is being investigated by additional agencies in Georgia.

Angel Marie Thompson was arrested August 19th and charged with Concealing the Death of Nicole Alston. At this time it has not been determined who actually killed Alston and this investigation continues. Nothing further at this time.