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New York Post
6 days ago
- New York Post
Woman who allegedly murdered NYC girlfriend, cut her body into 13 pieces and took on her identity arrested 18 years later
A Georgia woman was arrested for the murder and years-long identity theft of her girlfriend, a New Yorker who was found dismembered beyond recognition in a burning body bag nearly 18 years ago, according to authorities. Angel Thompson has been charged with the December 2007 murder of Nicole Alston, a 24-year-old woman from Manhattan who was discovered cut into 13 pieces, with her hands, feet, and head missing in a burning body bag on the side of a quiet Georgia road, Fulton County officials announced at a press conference on Wednesday. 4 Angel Thompson has been charged with the December 2007 murder of Nicole Alston, a 24-year-old woman from Manhattan who was discovered cut into 13 pieces in a burning body bag on the side of a quiet Georgia road. Fulton County Sheriff Advertisement 'It took a true sociopath to do what happened here,' Clay Bryant, an investigator with the Troup County Sheriff's Department, said. The missing parts of Alston's body were never located, and the condition of her remains led to the 16-year lag in her identification, officials said. But, in early 2023, the case was reviewed, and DNA evidence that matched a relative helped authorities confirm the remains belonged to Alston, whose last known location was Manhattan. Advertisement Investigators learned that Alston left the Big Apple in 2007 to live with Thompson, who was wanted at the time in New York for theft and identity fraud, according to documents obtained by Fox 5 News. Thompson allegedly trafficked Alston before she was murdered, and the two had an abusive, coercive relationship, authorities said. 4 Nicole Alston had been using dating apps to look for a new partner on the night her girlfriend allegedly killed her. Fulton County Sheriff 'We believe this victim was trafficked prior to her murder, that this involved classic domestic violence, where this young lady [Thompson] was basically not going to allow both her lover and, i hate to say such a nasty term, but her cash cow, the person that was bringing her money, go,' Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said at the press conference. Advertisement On the night Alston was killed, she had already begun to go on dating apps and look for other women, Detective John Nanoff told reporters. After Alston's remains were discovered, Thompson allegedly stole her identity to collect social security benefits, food stamps, and Section 8 housing under her name for eight years. She then opened bank accounts, email accounts, and even swapped Alston's photo with her picture on her driver's license in 2010, Nanoff said. 4 After Alston's remains were discovered, Thompson allegedly stole her identity to collect social security benefits, food stamps, and Section 8 housing under her name for eight years. Fulton County Sheriff Advertisement 'It's astounding what she was able to do, what she did for how long she did it,' Nanoff said. 'I've never seen something so calculated and meticulous before,' he said. In 2015, when the Social Security Administration contacted her to confirm her identity to continue benefits, Thompson began using her original identity, Fox 5 reported. She collected roughly $140,000 in government benefits under Alston's identity, Nanoff said. 4 Thompson allegedly trafficked Alston before she was murdered, and the two had an abusive, coercive relationship. Fulton County Sheriff In August 2023, Thompson was arrested for concealing Alston's death, the outlet reported. Finally, on Tuesday, she was arrested and charged with Alston's murder and two counts of identity theft, nearly two years later, records show. Sylvia Austin, the mother of the victim, said she never stopped looking for her daughter after she went missing. 'She didn't deserve this, and I wish I'd never let her come to Georgia,' she said. Advertisement 'She was the life of the party. 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,' she said. Willis indicated prosecutors will take their time with Thompson's indictment due to the elaborate nature of the case. Officials urged anyone with information about Thompson or the couple to reach out to the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. The alleged killer is currently in custody at Fulton County Jail without bond, according to court records.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Did you get a letter saying Social Security overpaid you? Here's what to know
A major change by the Social Security Administration could affect some beneficiaries' incomes — potentially cutting their benefit payments in half starting in July. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will now withhold up to 50 percent of benefits from those who have received overpayments from the agency. Overpayment can happen when a beneficiary has mistakenly been issued an incorrect amount or when the beneficiary is not entitled to benefits because Social Security doesn't have the incorrect information. 'This can happen if you don't tell us about changes in your life, such as your ability to work, your housing situation, your marital status, or your income,' says the SSA website where you can find instructions on how to deal with an overpayment. Notices sent on or after April 25 include instructions and the withholding of benefits takes effect after about 90 days and remains in place until the overpayment is repaid. This withholding applies to retirement, survivor, family, and disability benefits. Last year, the SSA began withholding only 10% of payments from people who needed to return funds due to overpayments. This amount was decided after several media reports highlighted cases of people who lost their homes as a result of their benefits being cut. The withholding half of the payment is a compromise over a previous SSA decision, which sought to withhold full benefits from those who owed money due to overpayments. Those who already had a payment agreement with the agency will not see their withholdings affected; the percentage will remain the same. Supplemental Income Support (SSI) recipients who owe overpayments will pay only 10% to cover their debt, regardless of when the overpayments were made. How to respond to a Social Security overpayment Those who receive an overpayment notice should respond to the SSA, indicating whether it was an error, or if not, make arrangements to begin repaying their debt. They have these options: ▪ Request an exemption or waiver of the overpayment if you believe it was not your fault and you are unable to pay the debt. To do this, you must use Form 632 (there is one from 2025, which is the correct one). There are no deadlines for filing it. ▪ If you believe the overpayment is not your fault and it was less than $2,000, you do not need to fill out the form above. You can request an exemption by calling 1-800-772-1213 or a local office, and the issue can be resolved over the phone. ▪ If you think the SSA made a mistake when it decided you received an overpayment, or if you disagree with the overpayment amount, you must file Form 561, called the Request for Reconsideration. You have 60 days to file it. ▪ If you want to make a change to the monthly amount you send to cover an overpayment, you must file Form 634. In August of last year, the agency estimated that it made nearly $72 billion in improper payments – most of them overpayments – between 2015 and 2022. To avoid receiving overpayments from Social Security, immediately report to the SSA any changes in your life that affect your income.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Community's generosity pays off for Season to Share families who needed help to overcome
Donors dug deep for The Palm Beach Post's 2024 Season to Share nominees, contributing a combined $623,454 to help local people and families in need. Those needs varied widely as families fought poverty, cared for injured or sick children and as individuals struggled to overcome illness or grievous injury. In Boca Raton, the Fuchs family needed newer, safer transportation as they raised their daugher, Violet Fuchs, who has a rare genetic disorder that has made her quadriplegic, non-verbal and blind. Bella's Angels, an organization that provides assistance to families with disabled children, nominated the Fuchs for help through The Post's Season to Share program. Donors read about Violet and her family's struggles and came through for them. "They are in the final process of purchasing the vehicle and having it fitted for Violet," Bella's Angels wrote in a summary. "She will always have her disabilities, but this help is alleviating the worry and financial burden of a vehicle to help their family and especially Violet." In Wellington, a young woman needed help as she recovered from a 2019 car crash that left her paralyzed from the waist down at age 13. Valerie Chandler used to skateboard, play volleyball and soccer, but the crash closed those doors. Chandler has fought hard to open other doors for herself. She takes classes at Palm Beach State College and has a part-time job as a stage manager for the college's theater productions. She wanted a vehicle she could operate so her mother wouldn't have to shuttle her back and forth from Wellington. Chasing A Dream Foundation, which has provided assistance to Chandler since the crash, nominated her for help through Season to Share. Donors were moved by her story and offered help. "With these funds, Valerie will learn to drive a vehicle with hand controls," Chasing A Dream wrote in its summary. "This is going to go such a long way in giving her independence and (allowing her to) start living like her peers." Chandler and the Fuchs were like so many Season to Share nominees. They weren't merely asking for help; they were asking for an opportunity to do more for themselves and others. Gabriel Pacheco, robbed of sight after a vicious beating, wanted to find a way to return to work, to get some semblance of his old life back. The Coalition for Independent Living Options nominated Pacheco for help through Season to Share, and donors stepped up, providing enough money to help pay off the family car, catch up on past due bills and buy food. Pacheco has taken that assistance and is remaking his life. "He is in a culinary program and working, exercising daily, and training with a BEEP Ball baseball team specifically for players that are blind," the coalition wrote of Pacheco in its summary. Like Pacheco, Leason Wallace Jr. wants as much independence as possible. Despite battling cerebral palsy, Wallace works as a custodian. But his income rose above the threshold that allowed him to receive supplemental Social Security assistance. That assistance helped pay for the Sea Turtle Adventures iCare Program, which brings people with cognitive and developmental disabilities together for outings and therapeutic activities. Entertainment events with the group got him out of the house three or four evenings a month. Sea Turtle Adventures nominated Wallace for help through Season to Share, and donors provided enough assistance for him to return to the iCare program for years to come. "Leason was also gifted an iPad, which has proven invaluable, allowing him to install communication aid programs to enhance his interaction and engagement," Sea Turtle Adventures wrote in a summary. The Fuchs, Chandler, Pacheco and Wallace are but a few of the people and families who received help through Season to Share, which has raised $17.5 million since it began nearly three decades ago. All Season to Share donations, which are made via the , go to helping nominees via their nominating agencies. Once the nominees' needs are met, the charitable agencies can use the funds to assist other families within their agencies. Season to Share funds are not to be used by the agencies for administrative purposes. The reader-donated funds are managed and distributed to the agencies by the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin counties, a respected philanthropic presence for more than 50 years. Wayne Washington is a journalist covering education for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@ Help support our work; subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Season to Share generates $600K+ to help individuals, families in need
