Malley at about 25-years-old. She was 49-years-old at the time of her death. Credit: NOPD
A cold case homicide victim has been identified with new technology utilized by the FBI for the first time in New Orleans.
Twenty-two years ago, an unidentified adult female was discovered deceased in a field in the 1200 block of Eliza Street in Algiers. It was Feb. 24, 2002 and the coroner ruled that she had been murdered. She was found with no identification, and all attempts to identify her turned cold.
About 6 months ago, the FBI contacted the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and offered to use investigative genetic genealogy or (IGG) to try and identify the victim.
Last week, the hard work paid off and the victim was positively identified as 49-year-old Lelia Ann May Malley. Malley lived in Gulfport, Mississippi and New Orleans but was reportedly estranged from her family.
Malley's daughter Kimberly Bergeron says she last saw her mom around 2000. After finally learning that her mother is deceased, she is asking for help in finding out what happened to her.
"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," said Bergeron." Bergeron also thanked the NOPD and FBI for their work in identifying her mother. "Without this development, we probably would never find out what happened to her."
"The FBI is proud to have partnered with NOPD in this case and finally bring some measure of comfort to Lelia's family," said Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "We are certainly hopeful that this first for FBI New Orleans leads to many more answers for families like this one."
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.
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.
Republished courtesy of New Orleans PD