17 Years After Her Friend’s Beheaded Remains Were Discovered In A Black Bag; Thompson Was Arrested

Hogansville, Ga. : A woman has been detained nearly 17 years after her friend’s headless body was discovered in a smoldering bag on a Georgia road however authorities have not charged the suspect with the victim’s murder.

Remains Of Nicole Alston In A Bag

In December 2007, officials discovered the remains of a lady, later identified as Nicole Alston, in a burning bag on the roadway in Hogansville, Ga., according to the Troup County Sheriff’s Office. The victim was not recognized until December 2023, according to the sheriff’s office. The inquiry ultimately resulted to the arrest of her acquaintance Angel Marie Thompson on August 19 on charges of concealing a body.

Investigation On Nicole Alston’s Death

The investigation began in December 2007 when Troup County officials reacted to a suspicious black bag burning on the side of the road in Hogansville, Ga., according to a sheriff’s office statement released on Tuesday, September 3. According to the statement, they discovered a smoldering bag containing the remains of a headless body; the body also lacked hands and feet. The investigation stayed cold for years until DNA testing indicated in December 2023 that the remains belonged to Alston, who was 24 at the time of her murder and was last known to be residing in New York.

Nicole Alston And Her Friend Thompson

She was last heard from around Thanksgiving of that year. The subsequent investigation discovered that Alston had relocated to Atlanta with Thompson, who had been wanted in New York at the time for theft and identity fraud. Authorities claimed last month that Thompson had been using her name to get to the deceased’s social security, housing, and food benefits for up to eight years after her death. The suspected fraud and theft is worth around $200,000.

Thompson Being Suspected For Nicole Alston’s Death

Authorities said Thompson stopped the alleged scam in 2015 after the Social Security Administration phoned the recipient, who believed it was Alston, and asked him to attend to an office in person to re-qualify for funds. Thompson is not charged in connection with Alston’s death, and police say the inquiry is still ongoing. It is unclear whether Thompson is currently facing charges for collecting Alston’s benefits. It was unclear whether Thompson had filed a plea or hired a lawyer to speak on behalf of her.