A Reading husband called on the public to help find his missing wife to plead not guilty to the charges of his murder of Nikki Saelee McCain. Missing triggered a month of investigation by local and federal authorities.
Tyler McCain was arrested on August 20 by Shasta County Sheriff’s deputies and eventually investigated her disappearance for 15 months, Sheriff Michael Johnson said at a press conference at the time.
Officials alleged that McCain killed Nikki Saelee McCain at least to some extent to prevent her from testifying, and he allegedly proved his domestic violence case, allegedly dragging her into their home, hitting her face, duct tape and then pouring cold water before she could escape.
According to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office, McCain pleaded not guilty to the charges on August 22.
His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Although investigators were unable to find Nicki’s body, the fact was arrested, law enforcement said the investigation complicated their investigation.
“These cases are stratified, meticulous and require months of investigation,” Johnson said in a news conference.
Shasta County. Atti. Stephanie Bridgett said the case was the first time her office tried to prosecute murder without finding the body.
“Although her body was not found, we got overwhelming evidence that Nicky was dead and that Tyler McCain was responsible for her murder,” Bridget said.
Relatives reported that Nikki went missing on May 22, 2024, and told officials that she had been seen last time on May 18.
Johnson said her Chevrolet avalanche was located near Highway 36 on May 25 and evidence was recovered at the scene showed that investigators’ mother of four children was the victim of the foul.
Investigators have kept the details of the case quiet for months, even local, state and federal agencies have been brought into the investigation.
For months, there was little information on the case, and on March 10, McCain stood next to his missing wife’s sister and FBI agents in a press conference seeking public help.
But Nicky’s sisters alleged that McCain did not appear with relatives or investigators, as well as other details about the couple’s relationship in the case about the flag.
Relatives said the couple’s relationship worsened before November 29, 2023, when McCain was accused of attacking Nicky.
Nikki is hospitalized and begins divorce lawsuits, while law enforcement officers look at allegations of spouse and false incarceration Previous interviews.
The allegations were dismissed in July 2024 after they disappeared.
Bridget said the allegations were again against McCain, as well as the murder charges, as investigators believe the murder was partly intended to prevent her from testifying in this case.
Prosecutors also filed additional charges against McCain, including a protection order after the alleged domestic violence incident and before Nicky’s disappearance.
Bridget said the allegations stemmed from searches for his home.
McCain also faces forgery charges for allegedly forging his wife’s signature in a tax return.
Bridget said McCain was also charged with reckless driving, dumping on the highway and was revoked nearly a year after Nikki disappeared after dumping items on the highway on April 1.
She said when officials contacted McCain that day, he allegedly had a driver’s license belonging to Nicky and appeared to have been burned.
