In a shocking case that has resurfaced after over a decade, Georgia resident Angel Marie Thompson has been arrested for concealing the death of her friend, Nicole Alston, whose dismembered body was discovered on the side of a road in 2007.
Thompson allegedly collected more than $200,000 in government benefits under Alston’s identity for eight years following her brutal death.
The Discovery of Nicole Alston’s Remains
On Dec. 6, 2007, authorities in Troup County, Georgia, made a gruesome discovery: human remains found in a burning bag.
The body was severely mutilated, missing its hands, feet, and head. At the time, the victim’s identity was unknown, and the case went cold after months of investigation yielded no results.
Nicole Alston, a young woman who had moved to Atlanta earlier that year, was last heard from by her family around Thanksgiving in 2007, shortly before her remains were found.
A Cold Case Reopened
For years, Nicole’s family had no idea what had happened to her. It wasn’t until recent advances in forensic technology that Alston’s remains were positively identified after being sent to testing sites in Houston and Virginia.
Once the match was confirmed, authorities contacted Nicole’s family, who revealed she had moved to Atlanta in 2007 with her friend, Angel Marie Thompson.
This revelation prompted investigators to look into the circumstances surrounding Nicole’s disappearance and Thompson’s possible involvement.
The Shocking Truth: Identity Theft and Fraud
Following the identification of Nicole Alston’s remains, police launched an investigation into the person who had been using her identity.
They discovered that someone had been fraudulently collecting social security benefits, food stamps, and Section 8 housing assistance under Alston’s name for approximately eight years after her death.
Authorities soon identified Angel Marie Thompson as the suspect behind the identity theft. Thompson had allegedly been using Nicole’s personal information to collect over $200,000 in benefits, all while her friend’s death remained unsolved.
Arrest and Charges
Angel Marie Thompson has now been arrested and charged with concealing the death of Nicole Alston and with defrauding the government by collecting benefits under a false identity.
Despite the severity of these charges, it is important to note that Thompson has not been charged with Alston’s murder.
The investigation into Nicole’s death is ongoing, and authorities have yet to determine who was responsible for the brutal crime that took her life.
A Disturbing Betrayal
Nicole Alston’s family is devastated by the revelations that not only had their loved one been murdered, but her identity was used for years after her death.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the grisly nature of Nicole’s death and the shocking betrayal by someone she had once called a friend.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nicole’s murder, hoping to bring those responsible for her death to justice.
