NEW ORLEANS — After more than 20 years, NOPD is finally on their way to solving a murder. Back in February of 2002, a woman's body was found in the 1200 block of Eliza street in Algiers. NOPD said, even with the help of LSU's FACES department, they were never able to identify her. That is, until now.
NOPD partnered with the FBI New Orleans and used new technology called Investigative Genetic Genealogy — also called IGG. Officials said the technology allows a more comprehensive sample of data to be compared to public national databases. Then, they're able to create a family tree.
The woman was finally identified as Lelia Ann May Malley, 49, of Long Beach, Mississippi.
NOPD said she was living between Mississippi and New Orleans.
Her case turned cold after she was found with no identification and all attempts to identify her stopped with no additional leads.
"About Six months ago, the FBI came to the NOPD and offered to use new technology called Investigative Genetic Genealogy or (IGG) to try and identify the victim," a release said.
Police said Malley was "reportedly estranged from her family". They also spoke to her daughter, Kimberly Bergeron, who said the last time she saw her mom was around 2000. After learning of her mother's death, Bergeron asks for help in finding out what happened.
"I'm asking if anyone has any information about a suspect or has information about her or who had known her in the past or anything about this investigation to come forward," Bergeron said. "Without this development, we probably would never find out what happened to her."
Now, NOPD can work again to solve the case and are looking for possible suspects and motives.
*Story continues below photo
Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office said "The FBI is proud to have partnered with NOPD in this case and finally bring some measure of comfort to Lelia's family."
In addition to the FBI, NOPD was aided in this identification by LSU FACES Lab, NamUs, the North Louisiana Crime Lab and the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office.
*Please note the attached pictures are not current to the period in which Malley died. She was about 25-years-old in the photos and 49-years-old at the time of her death. The FACES lab composite was created & released in 2006.
Anyone with information about Malley, especially anyone who may have had contact with her in 2002 or who may have any information about her death is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers anonymously at (504) 822-1111.
Algiers cold case victim identified by FBI technology, NOPD reports
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.