In a significant development in a long-standing cold case, Angel Marie Thompson has been charged with the murder of her former girlfriend, Nicole Alston, whose dismembered remains were found in a burning bag almost two decades ago. This case, stretching over 17 years, unfolded after the re-examination of DNA evidence linked to Alston, leading to charges against Thompson.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, on December 6, 2007, body parts of the victim were originally discovered in Troup County, Georgia, with her hand, feet, and head missing. Last known to reside in Manhattan, New York, Alston was identified in December 2023 following DNA analysis by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab which matched the partial remains.
After living under Alston's identity for eight years, Thompson reportedly began using her own name again when contacted by the Social Security Administration in 2015. As PEOPLE reports, Thompson is accused of stealing approximately $200,000 through Social Security benefits, food stamps, and Section 8 housing meant for Alston.
Authorities assert, according to the arrest warrant quoted by FOX 5 Atlanta, that Thompson might have killed Alston "by homicidal violence by undetermined means," fearing the loss of financial support if Alston returned to New York. Simultaneously, Thompson was still fishing for new relationships on dating websites on the very night the body was found.
Troup County investigator Clay Bryant described the crime as being the work of a "true sociopath," underscoring the grim reality Alston’s family faced for years yearning for closure. "They deserve some finality. They deserve the truth, and we're just lucky enough to find some facts to learn what happened to Nicole," Bryant stated to FOX 5 Atlanta. In the wake of these events, Thompson remains in custody at the Fulton County Jail, with an indictment expected by the end of October.
Meanwhile, Alston’s mother, Sylvia Austin, mourns the loss of her daughter, recalling Nicole as "bubbly" with an "infectious" smile. She told FOX 5 Atlanta, "She didn't deserve this, and I wish I'd never let her come to Georgia." Her daughter's joy and resilience in the face of challenges like dyslexia, Austin remembered, made Nicole a source of comfort and support to many.
