Nique Leili

On June 9, 2011, 28-year-old Nique Leili disappeared from the Buford, Georgia home she shared with her husband Matt Leili. Matt reported her missing, claiming she had left the house and not returned. However, friends and family immediately suspected foul play, noting that Nique would not have abandoned her young daughters.

The investigation revealed a troubled marriage marked by allegations of domestic abuse. Matt Leili's behavior after Nique's disappearance raised suspicion—he did not cooperate with investigators and quickly began dating other women. Despite suspicions, without a body, investigators could not build a case.

In August 2013, skeletal remains were discovered in Lake Lanier near Buford. DNA testing confirmed the remains as Nique Leili's. However, due to the advanced decomposition, the medical examiner could not determine a definitive cause of death.

Matt Leili was arrested and charged with malice murder. The prosecution's case was largely circumstantial, built on evidence of domestic abuse, his inconsistent statements, cell phone data, and testimony from friends and family about the couple's violent relationship. In 2019, he was convicted of malice murder and sentenced to life in prison. The case demonstrated that a murder conviction is possible even without a clear cause of death.