Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Human Remains Found in Burning Black Bag in Georgia Identified as New York City Woman After 16 Years

Authorities in Troup County, Georgia, have finally identified the human remains discovered inside a burning black bag after 16 long years. The victim has been identified as Nicole Alston, a 24-year-old woman from New York City. The Troup County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on Wednesday confirming the identification, shedding some light on this cold case.

The Discovery

The gruesome discovery was made on the morning of December 6, 2007, near an intersection in Georgia. Police stumbled upon a smoldering black bag and quickly realized it contained partial remains. Shockingly, the victim’s hands, feet, and head were missing, indicating a brutal crime.

Identification Efforts

At the time of the discovery, the remains were sent to the GBI Crime Lab for identification. However, all that could be determined was that the victim was an unidentified adult black female and that her death was an obvious homicide. The case went cold for years, leaving investigators desperately seeking answers.

A Breakthrough in 2023

After years of waiting, a breakthrough finally occurred in early 2023. The Troup County Sheriff’s Office decided to send the case, along with DNA evidence, to Innovative Forensic Investigations in Virginia and Gene by Gene Laboratories in Texas. The hope was that advanced forensic techniques could lead to a positive identification.

Yesterday, investigators received the long-awaited news that there was a positive match on the remains. Nicole Alston’s family was contacted and confirmed that she had relocated to the Atlanta area in the summer of 2006 but was never heard from again. This identification has breathed new life into the investigation and given hope to those seeking justice.

Continuing the Investigation

Now that the victim has been identified, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigators will push forward with the homicide investigation. Their gratitude goes out to Innovative Forensic Investigations, Gene by Gene Laboratories, and the GBI for their invaluable assistance in solving this 16-year-old cold case.

Seeking Information

The Troup County Sheriff’s Office appeals to the public for any information that may help bring closure to this tragic case. If you have any details related to this investigation, please contact the sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigation Division at (706) 883-1616 or La Grange Crime Stoppers at (706) 812-1000.

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