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 smouldering 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. Consequently, the sheriff’s office said that on December 13, 2023, detectives were able to positively identify the victim as Manhattan, New York resident Nicole Alston, 24.
Family relatives reportedly told deputies that Alston had moved to Atlanta with her companion Angel Thompson after leaving New York, and they had last spoken to the victim in late November 2007. At the time, Thompson was allegedly wanted in New York for theft and identity fraud, according to the authorities.
Deputies claim that Thompson “began identifying herself as Alston” following the discovery of Alston’s remains and used the victim’s identity to obtain food stamps, Section 8 housing, and supplemental security income payments for almost eight years. The entire estimated scam amount is approximately $200,000.
The sheriff’s office claims that Thompson took on her true identity when the Social Security Administration requested that “Alston” reapply in person for benefits in 2015.
Thompson was detained by the authorities on August 19 on suspicion of hiding a death. As of now, authorities do not have a suspect in Alston’s real death.
