Cold Case Homicide Victim Identified After 22 Years, NOPD Seeking Leads

A Cold Case homicide victim has been identified with new technology utilized by the FBI for the first time in New Orleans.

22 years ago an unidentified adult female was discovered deceased in a field in the1200 block of Eliza Street in Algiers. It was February 24, 2002 and the coroner ruled that she had been murdered. But she was found with no Identification and all attempts to identify her turned cold.

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.

This technology involves a more comprehensive DNA analysis utilizing publicly available genetic genealogy to search for a familial match. Last week, the hard work paid off and the victim was positively identified as 49-year-old Lelia Ann May Malley. Malley was from Long Beach, Mississippi and was reportedly estranged from her family.

May'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," says Kimberly 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."

"Now the NOPD can move forward with this investigation and work to find closure for this family," said NOPD Deputy Superintendent Ryan Lubrano.

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.