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Nearly 17 years ago an unidentified body was found in rural Troup County. Approaching two decades later, those remains have finally been identified and the first arrest has been made in the case. 

The body of then-24-year-old Nicole Alston was found on the morning of Dec. 6, 2007. Troup County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the corner of Whitfield Road and Stitcher Road regarding a suspicious black bag that appeared to be burning.

When deputies arrived they found what appeared to be human remains in the smoldering bag. Investigators at the time were unable to positively identify the remains as the hands, feet and head were missing.

The remains were sent to the GBI Crime Lab for identification but they were only able to confirm that it was a homicide and that the victim was an adult Black female. After extensive investigation, the case went cold with no substantial leads or identification being made.

As part of a review of cold cases in 2023, TCSO sent DNA from the remains to Innovative Forensic Investigations in Emporia, VA, and Gene by Gene Laboratories in Houston, TX for analysis and genetic genealogy forensics.

TCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Stewart Smith said the DNA was sent as part of a standard cold case review which their Criminal Investigation Division conducts from time to time. 

Late last year, on Dec. 13, 2023, TCSO received information that a positive DNA match had been made on the remains, which were confirmed to be Alston.

The 24-year-old had been living in Manhattan, NY, but investigators learned she had moved to Atlanta in July 2006 after speaking with her family. The family last heard from Alston around Thanksgiving of 2007.

Sheriff’s investigators reopened the case due to the new information and learned that Alston had left New York with her friend Angel Marie Thompson to live in Atlanta.

According to TCSO, Thompson was wanted in New York for theft and identity fraud.

Last month, TCSO Investigator Clay Bryant determined Thompson began identifying herself as Alston and had been collecting Alston’s SSI Benefits, Food Stamp Allotment, and acquiring Section 8 Housing as Alston for eight years. 

The scam came to an end in 2015 when the Social Security Administration contacted Thompson, then allegedly identifying herself as Alston, to come in to requalify for benefits. Investigators say Thompson then reassumed her original identity.

According to TCSO, Thompson defrauded the agencies of approximately $200,000 and the case is still being investigated by additional agencies in Georgia. 

On Aug. 19, TCSO investigators traveled to Atlanta and arrested Thompson in connection with the case. 

Thompson was charged with concealing the death of Alston. 

The sheriff’s office says it has not determined who killed Alston at this time and the investigation continues.