Photo of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain.
Share this @internewscast.com

The family of a mother of four who vanished 15 months ago is determined to continue their search for her remains after her husband was charged with murder.

Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain, aged 39, was last observed during the early hours of May 18, 2024, as she left her in-laws’ residence in Redding, California, a city situated roughly 160 miles north of Sacramento.

Photo of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain.
Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain, a mother of four, was last seen in the early hours of May 18, 2024Credit: Family Handout/ Chloe Saelee and Kaye Ford,
People searching near a river.
McCain was last seen leaving her in-laws’ house in Redding, California, about 160 miles north of SacramentoCredit: Family Handout/ Chloe Saelee and Kaye Ford,
Photo of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain and her husband.
Nikki’s husband, Tyler McCain (right), was officially charged with her murder over a year after her disappearanceCredit: Facebook/ NikkiCheng Mccain
Map showing Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain's last known location and where her car was found.

A few days following the report by Nikki’s sisters of her disappearance, the mother’s 2002 Chevy Avalanche was discovered abandoned on Highway 26 close to the boundary between Shasta and Tehama counties.

Shasta County investigators indicated that foul play was suspected due to evidence gathered from the area where Nikki’s vehicle was abandoned.

Nevertheless, over a year after the discovery of the vehicle, Shasta County investigators remain no closer to uncovering the events leading to Nikki’s disappearance.

This Wednesday, Shasta County officials announced murder charges against Nikki’s husband, Tyler McCain. He is already facing four separate domestic violence charges from a December 2023 incident involving Nikki – charges that were previously dismissed but have now been reinstated.

Kaye Ford, one of Nikki’s younger sisters, expressed her family’s eagerness to witness McCain’s legal proceedings play out.

“There’s going to be more. It’s gonna look a little different than what we’ve been dealing with previously, but there is still this kind of beginning of maybe like the next chapter,” Ford told The U.S. Sun.

“We feel kind of relieved to be here. There’s still a little bit more, some questions we’ve had are being answered and we know that with anything, it’s the preliminary hearings coming up.

“Hopefully, there’ll be more answers than more questions that will be answered as some of those hearings come.”

Ford added that Nikki’s four children are going through a wave of emotions, but are also looking forward to the next steps.

“We know it’s hard to tell with them because unfortunately, they’ve been kind of used to hearing bad news,” she said.

Family of mom who disappeared from same place where ‘Gone Girl’ Sherri Papini staged kidnapping beg for info 3 months on

“So, they’ve developed a little bit of a shield. But I think they’re going through the motions, on the one hand they’re closer to closure for their mom, but also now, that it’s their dad is the person responsible.

“I imagine they’re dealing with a lot of emotions. A piece of it is the yes, they are excited for this next step like we are, but they also still love their dad. That doesn’t change.”

Since Nikki’s disappearance last year, McCain, 39, and his family have been quiet and away from the public eye.

In March, McCain briefly addressed his wife’s disappearance during a joint press conference with Nikki’s family.

But despite McCain’s apparent unwillingness to assist in the investigation, Ford maintains hope of the possibility that he discloses what happened to her sister in her final moments.

“He’s been pretty quiet, he hasn’t shared thus far, so I don’t know maybe once he’s faced with the charges that maybe he will share,” Ford told The U.S. Sun.

“We are hopeful about that potential outcome.”

Mugshot of Tyler McCain.
The most recent mugshot of Tyler McCain following his arrest on WednesdayCredit: Shasta County Sheriff's Office
Photo of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain and a man.
McCain only spoke out publicly once since his wife went missing in May 2024Credit: Facebook/ NikkiCheng Mccain

‘OUR FIGHT IS NOT OVER’

Before announcing the charges against McCain on Wednesday, investigators reclassified Nikki’s case from a missing person to a homicide in March.

At a press conference announcing McCain’s arrest, Ford and her other sister, Chloe Saelee, expressed their gratitude to investigators but declared that the family’s fight “is not over.”

“While this arrest is an important step, our fight is not over,” Ford said.

“We are still fighting for justice to be fully served, for my sister’s memory to be honored and for the healing for our family and community.

“Nothing can erase the pain of losing her, but knowing that the person responsible is being held accountable allows us to move forward with hope.”

Chloe praised law enforcement, adding, “Your dedication and persistence have given us a measure of peace that we have been longing for.

“To the community, thanks for standing by us. Your prayers, support and strength have reminded us that we are not alone in our journey.”

Nikki’s remains have not been located, but Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said that California law does not require a body to be recovered to prove a crime of murder.

“Despite not being able to find her body, we have been provided with overwhelming evidence to prove that not only is Nikki dead, but that Tyler McCain is responsible for her murder,” Bridgett said.

Photo of two sisters.
Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain and her sister Kaye Ford (right) pictured togetherCredit: Courtesy of family
Photo of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain.
Investigators located Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain’s Chevy Avalanche days after she was reported missing, but there was no sight of the mother of fourCredit: Family Handout/ Chloe Saelee and Kaye Ford,

TOP PRIORITY

Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson said locating Nikki’s remains remains a priority for the department.

“We’ve used search and rescue, we’ve used volunteers, friends, family, advocates within the community have all contributed and looked in drainage, ditches, properties, rural areas, waterways, trying to locate Nikki for the family, and trying to give us that next piece in this case,” Johnson said.

“These cases are layered, meticulous, require months of investigation, hundreds and hundreds of personnel hours, not just from investigators, but from law enforcement, boots on the ground, from support services, from forensic evidence, all across the board.

“It is very labor-intensive, and it is crucial that all that evidence is collected, preserved, and processed accordingly to make the case.”

Sheriff Johnson urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to Nikki’s remains.

McCain is also facing charges of forgery and illegal firearm possession, according to court records.

He is expected to be arraigned on the new charges on Friday.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
NFL Week 8 odds, picks

Week 8 NFL Predictions: Expert Odds and Top Picks

Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission…
'No Kings' protest Chicago today: Thousands to gather in Grant Park to oppose Donald Trump administration, Chicago ICE arrests

Chicago Unites: Thousands Rally in Grant Park to Protest Trump’s Policies and ICE Actions

CHICAGO (WLS) — Organizers behind the “No Kings” movement anticipate a large…
Amazon Prime offers holiday gas deal: How to redeem the perk

Unlock Amazon Prime’s Exclusive Holiday Gas Discount: Step-by-Step Guide to Redeem Your Savings

Amazon is bringing some relief to its Prime members with a special…
Watch live: 'No Kings' protests held across the country

Join the Movement: ‘No Kings’ Nationwide Protests Streamed Live – What You Need to Know

With over 2,500 events planned across the nation, tune in here for…
Trump signals new trust in Erdogan, raising concerns over Turkey’s ambitions in Gaza and beyond

Trump’s Renewed Trust in Erdogan: Unpacking the Implications for Turkey’s Expanding Influence in Gaza and Global Politics

At a gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh, President Donald Trump expressed his approval…
Convicted child killer of Etan Patz must be retried by June deadline or walk free from custody: judge

Urgent Retrial Deadline Looms for Convicted Child Killer of Etan Patz: Freedom at Stake

In a significant development, a federal judge has ruled that a man…
'Dr. Antifa' fled US after doxxing, but infamous handbook promotes tactic and violence against 'Far Right'

Controversial ‘Dr. Antifa’ Escapes USA Amid Backlash Over Handbook Encouraging Tactics Against Far-Right

Dr. Mark Bray, a Rutgers University professor colloquially known as “Dr. Antifa,”…
CTU, IFT union news: Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates elected to lead Illinois Federation of Teachers

Stacy Davis Gates Elected to Lead Illinois Federation of Teachers, Strengthening Union Leadership Across Chicago

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has been appointed as the…
Camp Pendleton: I-5 freeway closed due to Marines anniversary event in Southern California

Camp Pendleton: I-5 Freeway Closure Announced for Marines Anniversary Celebration in Southern California

In a significant disruption, a 17-mile portion of the I-5 freeway in…
'No Kings' protest in St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s ‘No Kings’ Protest Draws Attention: Citizens Rally for Equality and Justice

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Protesters gathered in St. Augustine on Saturday as…
Ashton Kutcher says his looks hurt his acting career

Ashton Kutcher Reveals How His Appearance Impacted His Acting Journey

Ashton Kutcher has confessed that his striking appearance may have sometimes been…
Photos of Eitan Levi, Uriel Baruch, and Tamir Nimrodi over photo of Israeli flag

IDF Discovers Anomalies: Hamas Returns Unidentified Body, Sparking Mystery Among Hostage Families

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that one of the…