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NBC News
17-03-2025
- NBC News
Nikki Cheng-Saelee McCain's missing person case now being investigated as a homicide
Thirty-nine-year-old Nikki Cheng-Saelee McCain has been missing since May 17, 2024. She last communicated with her sisters that evening by text. She was reported missing to the Redding Police Department, after no one had heard from her for several days. The case was turned over to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and they are currently handling the case. Nikki had last told her sisters she was heading to her mother-in-law's property on Redding Rancheria, a Native American reservation in Shasta County. According to court documents, as well as Nikki's family, Nikki was due to appear in court for a settlement conference on June 3, 2024. She went missing just a few days prior to that. Her husband, Tyler McCain, was facing four felony charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident against Nikki in December 2023. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. On July 5, the charges against Tyler McCain were dismissed, prompting community outrage. Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett addressed those concerns in an interview posted on Facebook. 'I hear the community's pleas for answers and justice for Nikki Cheng McCain,' she said. 'I share in those sentiments and frustrations.' Bridgett described the decision to drop the charges as difficult. However, 'in the United States, everyone has a constitutional right to confront the witnesses against them,' she said. 'That means the accuser — the victim — must be present in trial to testify against them. And we haven't been able to locate her.' The dismissal, she said, 'preserves our ability to re-file the case once Nikki is located or sufficient evidence is obtained to utilize her statements in her absence.' Last week, on Monday, March 10, McCain spoke to the media at a press conference, for the first time since his wife's disappearance. He told the media, 'I'm just here in support, so anything that I can do, I want to do that.' He also had a message for his wife, Nikki, saying, 'We miss you.' McCain also apologized for not speaking publicly, up to that point. 'I haven't been in the public eye, and I haven't done very well with it. I apologize to everyone, especially my children,' he said. On Friday, March 14, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office shared a press release on their Facebook page, stating that Nikki's case is now being investigated as a homicide. 'Based on evidence gathered, information learned from interviews and the fact that none of Nikki's family members have heard from Nikki since May 18th, 2024, detectives have determined Nikki is a victim of Homicide,' the press release reads. A search warrant was executed at Nikki's residence that same day. 'On Friday March 14th, 2025, Detectives with the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit along with agents of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation served a search warrant at 17277 Olinda Road, Anderson,' the press release reads. 'This address is where Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain resided when she was initially reported missing by family members on May 22nd, 2024.' The sheriff's office also noted this was not the first time Nikki's residence has been searched during the investigation. 'Since the initial investigation, Detectives have worked tirelessly to locate Nikki and to determine the events leading to her disappearance,' the press release states. 'Detectives have served numerous search warrants, including a prior search warrant at Nikki's residence.' The release went on to say authorities have identified persons of interest in what they are now classifying as Nikki's homicide. 'However, their identities are being withheld due to the ongoing nature of this investigation.' The Shasta County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information about Nikki's case to come forward, and is 'asking for the public's help with identifying a driver of a red in color truck who may have picked up a male adult in the area of Highway 36 in the western portion of Tehama County near the R Wild Horse Ranch or the Beegum Gorge bridge between May 18th & May 25th, 2024.' The combined reward of up to $30,000 'for anyone who provides information that leads to Nikki's location' is still in effect. MCU@ or at 530-245-6135.
NBC News
13-03-2025
- NBC News
Husband of missing Redding, California woman Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain speaks out for the first time since her May 2024 disappearance
Thirty-nine-year-old Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain, from Redding, California, last communicated with her sisters on the evening of May 17, 2024. She was reported missing on May 21, after no one had heard from her for several days. The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is currently handling Nikki's case. Public Information Officer Timothy Mapes provided their initial media release on Nikki's case to Dateline last year. 'The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing adult. 39-year-old Nikki Cheng McCain was last in contact with family members on May 17th, 2024,' it reads, in part. 'Initially, this case was being investigated by the Redding Police Department; however, due to information suggesting Nikki was last seen in the Sheriff's Office jurisdiction, the investigation has been taken over by the Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit.' Nikki had last told her sisters she was heading to her mother-in-law's property on Redding Rancheria, a Native American reservation in Shasta County. Redding Rancheria put out a press release on July 19, 2024, stating they had put up a large billboard along I-5 to help spread awareness about Nikki's case. Dateline first reported on Nikki's disappearance in July 2024, as part of its Missing in America series. Now, Nikki's husband, Tyler McCain, has spoken out for the first time. In a press conference on Monday, March 10, McCain told the media, 'I'm just here in support, so anything that I can do, I want to do that.' He also had a message for his wife, Nikki, saying, 'We miss you.' McCain also apologized for not speaking publicly, up to this point. 'I haven't been in the public eye, and I haven't done very well with it. I apologize to everyone, especially my children,' he said. According to Nikki's sister Kaye, as well as court documents, Nikki had been scheduled to appear in court for a settlement conference on June 3, 2024 — which was shortly after she disappeared. Her husband was facing four felony charges stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident against Nikki in December 2023. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. On July 5, the charges against Tyler McCain were dismissed, prompting community outrage. Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett addressed those concerns in an interview posted on Facebook. 'I hear the community's pleas for answers and justice for Nikki Cheng McCain,' she said. 'I share in those sentiments and frustrations.' Bridgett described the decision to drop the charges as difficult. However, 'in the United States, everyone has a constitutional right to confront the witnesses against them,' she said. 'That means the accuser — the victim — must be present in trial to testify against them. And we haven't been able to locate her.' The dismissal, she said, 'preserves our ability to re-file the case once Nikki is located or sufficient evidence is obtained to utilize her statements in her absence.' Nikki has still not been located and there have been very few clues in her disappearance. Nikki's sisters Chloe and Kaye spoke at the press conference, as well, stating, 'Our mission is clear. We must bring Nikki home.' Captain Chris Edwards, who oversees the Investigations Division of the Shasta County Sheriff's Office also addressed the media. 'I want to let the public know that everything that's being done to locate Nikki, is being done by our detectives,' he said. 'And if there's anybody out in the public that has any information, I encourage them to do the right thing and give us a call.' Nikki is 4'11' and 110 lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes. There is a combined reward of up to $30,000 for information that leads to Nikki's location.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Yahoo
DUI mother arrested in Northern California after son texts 911 for help, police say
( — A mother was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence after her 18-year-old son texted 911 for help. Around 3 p.m. on Thursday, the Redding Police Department received a report of a DUI driver in a white 2020 Chevy Tahoe on E. Cypress Avenue near Larkspur Lane. The driver was later identified as Darlene Steiger, 43, of Redding. Two people hurt in Tahoe avalanche, serious injuries Steiger's son reported that she had just picked up him and his siblings, ages 11 and 13, after school and believed she was drunk. He reportedly sent text messages to 911 asking for help while he and his siblings were passengers in the vehicle being driven by Steiger. RPD located Steiger's vehicle at the intersection of Churn Creek Road and E. Cypress Avenue. An officer attempted to pull Steiger over but she failed to yield, according to RPD. Subsequently, a police chase was initiated. It ended after an officer successfully deployed a pursuit prevention device that deflated the right rear tire of Steiger's vehicle, forcing it to come to a stop at an intersection. Guilty verdict reached in six-figure Northern California drug network bust Despite the flat tire, police said Steiger continued to flee from police with her children in the vehicle. She finally stopped her vehicle at a family member's residence on Phobos Court, but fled on foot, leaving her children behind in the vehicle. Steiger was apprehended as she attempted to enter the sideyard of the residence, according to RPD. Her blood alcohol content was reportedly more than three times the legal limit. She was arrested and booked into the Shasta County Jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
