Woman Charged With Murder After Nearly a Decade of Living Under Girlfriend’s Identity, Exposed by DNA Breakthrough

A 28-year-old woman allegedly didn’t just steal a name, she kept living inside it for years, until a DNA breakthrough finally ripped the whole scheme open.

Nicole Alston’s remains were found in a burning bag back in 2007, but the case didn’t properly snap into focus until authorities say Angel Thompson used Nicole’s identity to cash in on government benefits, sign leases, buy cars, and tap into financial services. She even got arrested and dragged into court under Nicole’s name, then allegedly went back to using her real identity only after the Social Security Administration flagged irregularities in 2015.

By 2023, Thompson faced charges for concealing Nicole’s death and years of identity fraud, and that’s when DNA finally connected the dots.

Nicole Alston's remains were found in a burning bag in 2007

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Authorities allege Thompson used Nicole’s identity to collect nearly $139,000 in government benefits, as well as to lease apartments, purchase cars, and access financial services. She was even arrested and sued under Nicole’s name.

This deception reportedly continued until 2015, when the Social Security Administration attempted to requalify Nicole for benefits and uncovered irregularities. After that, Thompson returned to using her real name.

In August 2023, she was charged with concealing Nicole’s death and with years of identity fraud. However, it was the DNA match to the remains found in 2007 that finally linked her to the murder.

Angel Thompson has been charged with murder

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While the world was moving on from a 2007 discovery, Thompson allegedly kept collecting nearly $139,000 under Nicole Alston’s identity, including apartments, cars, and benefits.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis called the case “one of the most gruesome” she has encountered in nearly three decades as a prosecutor.

“This case involves what are just horrific facts. When they found [Alston’s] body, it was cut. They found 13 pieces of her body,” Willis said at a press conference.

Troup County investigator Clay Bryant described the crime as the work of a “true sociopath.”

“It’s astounding that she was able to do what she did for how long she did it,” Bryant said. “I’ve never seen something so calculated and so meticulous before, but she did it very well, and I believe did it alone.”

She is also accused of stealing her alleged victim's identity for eight years

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Then the Social Security Administration tried to requalify Nicole for benefits in 2015, and those “irregularities” reportedly forced Thompson to switch back to her real name.

This also echoes Trudi Burgess’s brave confrontation with authorities after the failures that let her abuse continue for years.

The case of a woman charged with her girlfriend's murder after nearly a decade of living under her identity highlights the disturbing nature of identity theft, which transcends mere financial crime to reveal deeper psychological complexities. The accused's decision to assume her girlfriend's identity for so long illustrates a profound desire to escape her past and adopt a completely new life. This behavior is not isolated; it reflects a broader trend where individuals may resort to deceit to reinvent themselves. The circumstances surrounding the discovery of human remains in Georgia, coupled with the recent DNA breakthrough, reveal the extreme lengths to which some individuals will go to hide their true selves while engaging in criminal activities. The convergence of identity theft and murder in this scenario underscores the intricate and often dark motivations that can drive individuals to such desperate actions.

In August 2023, she was charged with concealing Nicole’s death, but the murder link only became undeniable after a DNA match to the remains found in that burning bag.

For Nicole’s mother Sylvia, the discovery brought painful closure to years of uncertainty.

“She didn’t deserve this, and I wish I’d never let her come to Georgia,” Sylvia said. “Nicole was bubbly. She had a smile that was infectious. She was happy, and through all of her trials and struggles, she always made everything seem OK. She was always the one people called on to talk to. I never stopped looking for her.”

Investigators allege that on the night of Nicole’s murder, Thompson was active on dating websites. Within weeks, she allegedly tried to rent out their apartment and sell their car.

Now being held without bond at Fulton County Jail, Thompson faces charges of murder, fraud, concealing a death, and potentially human trafficking and domestic violence. District Attorney Willis has stated her office expects to present a full indictment by the end of October.

Authorities are also investigating whether Thompson may have other victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

At the press conference, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said the body was found cut into 13 pieces, and investigators described Thompson’s actions as calculated and meticulous.

The recent arrest in this long-unsolved case underscores the transformative power of DNA technology in unraveling cold cases.

This case profoundly illustrates the tangled web of identity theft, violent crime, and the psychological complexities that can drive individuals to such extremes. The accused's alleged assumption of her girlfriend's identity for nearly a decade raises unsettling questions about the motivations behind her actions. The transition from identity theft to murder suggests that the issues at play are not merely criminal but indicative of deeper psychological struggles. The motivations behind such drastic actions often stem from a confluence of factors, including personal history and environmental influences. This highlights the necessity of examining these incidents through a multifaceted lens, rather than relying on a singular psychological framework. The tragic outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in human behavior and the often uncharted territories of the human psyche.

The most chilling part is that she allegedly built an entire life on someone else’s identity, and DNA was the final receipt.

Before you trust a text, see how Gmail users got targeted by a fake number scam, and how to stop it.