2023 – Escalating Domestic Violence

December 2023

• Nikki reports a three-hour assault by her husband, Tyler McCain.
• Tyler is charged with domestic violence: corporal injury, false imprisonment, criminal threats, and assault.
• Nikki is the main witness. Note: The case is pending trial when Nikki later disappears.

2024 – The Disappearance

May 17, 2024 (Evening)

• Nikki reportedly checks into a hospital in Redding, California for undisclosed reasons.
• Family members later confirm she was in contact that evening, appearing upset but communicative.

May 18, 2024 (Early Morning Hours)

12:00 AM – 12:15 AM

• Nikki sends a text message to family, saying she intends to return a car to her mother-in-law’s home. This becomes her last known communication.

12:30 AM – 1:00 AM

• Witnesses place Nikki leaving the hospital area in her Chevy Avalanche.
• Surveillance cameras reportedly capture her vehicle traveling south toward the Shasta–Tehama county line.

1:00 AM – 3:00 AM

• No confirmed sightings of Nikki.
• Investigators later believe she may have encountered her husband Tyler McCain during this window.
• A confidential informant later reports that Tyler admitted to killing Nikki during a domestic violence incident at this time.

3:30 AM

• A red pickup truck is spotted in the vicinity of the Shasta–Tehama line, near where Nikki’s vehicle is later recovered.
• Investigators believe the driver may have had contact with Tyler after Nikki’s disappearance.

Following Days – May 18–25, 2024

• Nikki fails to return home or contact family.
• Her Chevy Avalanche is located abandoned: Strong odor of decomposition detected inside. A blood-stained sheet with Nikki’s DNA is found in the truck bed.
• Despite this, no body is found.
• Domestic violence charges against Tyler are dismissed, since Nikki is unavailable to testify.

May 25, 2024

• Nikki’s Chevy Avalanche discovered abandoned off Highway 36 near Beegum Gorge Bridge, close to the Shasta–Tehama county line, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators processed the vehicle and recovered physical evidence consistent with foul play, though Nikki was not located.

July 5, 2024

• Rally at the Shasta County Courthouse

July 19, 2024

• A group from Miami, Florida, is among the parties that teamed up to increase the reward amount for information that leads to finding Nikki McCain to $30,000.

July 30, 2024

• Tyler McCain is accused of violating a criminal protective order. The order was related to a domestic violence case against him that prohibited him from having firearms or ammunition.
• When deputies searched his vehicle, they allegedly found ammunition, the sheriff’s office said. He was booked into Shasta County Jail on suspicion of violating the terms of the protective order and for driving on a suspended license. McCain Arrested and later posted bail and was released.

October 6, 2024

• Friends and family of Nikki McCain gathered in front of the Shasta County Courthouse in a show of support for the missing woman.

March 10, 2025

• Nikki McCain’s family and other relatives hold a press conference at the Shasta County Emergency Operations office in Redding. “The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office provided us a platform to speak to the public, to remind everyone that she is still missing and the case is still being investigated,” said Kaye Ford, McCain’s sister.
• Tyler publicly pleaded for Nikki’s safe return, telling reporters, “We miss you. I don’t really know what to say… I apologize to everyone, especially my children. My wife’s family, mine as well. I’m just here in support, so anything that I can do, I want to do that,”

March 14, 2025

• The sheriff’s office announced that after nearly a year of investigating it as a missing person’s case, they now suspect Nikki McCain was the victim of a homicide. The sheriff’s office made the announcement after spending all day searching McCain’s house on Olinda Road in Anderson. Officials also said the FBI and Homeland Security agents are assisting in the investigation.

2025 – Homicide Classification

March 2025

• Case upgraded from missing persons to homicide.
• Multiple search warrants executed, including at the McCain residence.
• Federal agencies assist in evidence gathering.
• A $30,000 reward is offered for tips about Nikki’s whereabouts and the red truck driver.

August 2025 – Arrest & Charges Source

August 20, 2025

• Tyler McCain is arrested and charged with:
• Murder with special circumstance (to prevent Nikki’s testimony). Re-filed domestic violence counts from December 2023.
• Firearm possession, forgery, and traffic violations.
• He is booked into Shasta County Jail without bail.

August 21, 2025

• Court filings: A confidential informant told investigators that Tyler confessed to killing Nikki after a violent argument on May 18, 2024.
• Physical evidence includes Nikki’s DNA on the blood-stained sheet and the odor of decomposition in her truck.

August 22, 2025

• Tyler’s arraignment scheduled.
• Prosecutors confirm that even without Nikki’s body, California law allows the murder trial to proceed.

Current Status: 

• Suspect: Tyler McCain (husband)
• Legal Proceedings: Charged with murder + prior domestic violence + related offenses
• Body Recovery: Nikki’s remains have not been located; search and reward remain active
• Investigation Ongoing: Authorities still seeking the red truck driver as a potential witness

2023

December 14, 2023 – Assault & ER Statement

• Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain is taken to the ER after a violent domestic assault.
• In her recorded statement to medical staff and investigators, she describes:
• Tyler bound her hands, feet, and mouth.
• He beat her severely and threatened to kill her.
• She managed to escape.
• Tyler McCain is arrested and later charged with domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal threats.
• Case is filed in Shasta County Superior Court with Nikki as the primary witness.

2024

May 5, 2024 – Nikki Disappears

• Nikki vanishes just days before she is expected to testify against Tyler in the December 2023 domestic violence case.
• Family and friends report her missing.

May 7, 2024 – Vehicle Found

Nikki’s Chevy Avalanche is located abandoned on a rural road in Shasta County.

• Evidence observed:
• Strong odor of decomposition.
• A blood-stained sheet in the truck bed.
• DNA testing confirms the blood belongs to Nikki.

May 9, 2024 – Domestic Violence Case Dismissed

• The pending domestic violence charges against Tyler are dismissed because Nikki, the sole witness, is unavailable to testify.

2025

March 17, 2025 – Case Reclassified

• Nikki’s disappearance officially reclassified as a homicide investigation.

August 20, 2025 – Arrest of Tyler McCain

• Tyler is arrested and charged with:
• Murder of Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain.
• Special circumstance allegation: killing a witness to prevent testimony in a pending case.

August 22, 2025 – Arraignment

• Tyler McCain is charged with one count of Murder and a special circumstance that the murder was committed with the intent to prevent testimony, Corporal Injury to a Spouse, False Imprisonment, Criminal Threats, Assault with Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury, Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition After a Criminal Protective Order, Forgery, and various traffic violations. Source
• Tyler pleads not guilty.
• Held without bail.

August 29, 2025

• Preliminary Hearing Scheduled for September 4, 2025 Source
  His preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin on September 4, 2025, at 9:00 am in Department 63. The preliminary hearing is currently expected to take approximately 5 to 7 court days to complete and will begin at 9:00 am each day. McCain is also scheduled for a plea disposition/readiness conference on September 2, 2025, at 8:30 am in Department 41 and further proceedings for witnesses to be ordered back for the preliminary hearing on September 3, 2025, at 9:00 am in Department 41.

September 4, 2025 – Day One of Preliminary Hearing

Chloe Saelee (Nikki’s sister) testifies:

• Nikki feared Tyler and said, “If something ever happens to me, Tyler did it.”
• Law enforcement testifies about locating the Avalanche and the forensic findings (blood-stained sheet, decomposition odor).
• Defense motions:
• To disqualify McCain’s attorney due to alleged conflicts.
• To close the hearing to the public.
• Both motions denied by Judge Thomas L. Bender.

ER nurse and investigators introduce Nikki’s December 2023 recorded statement.

• The court hears Nikki, in her own words, describe being bound, beaten, and threatened with death by Tyler.
• Law enforcement search of home described:
• Bedroom in disarray.
• Holes in the walls.
• Bathroom fluids collected.
• Firearms and ammunition scattered.

Det. Jeremiah Kasinger (Redding Police)

• Testified that Nikki’s sister, Chloe Saelee, regularly texted with Nikki and usually received replies within a couple of hours.
• On May 19, 2024, the day after the family last heard from Nikki, Chloe texted and received no reply.
• Chloe reported multiple domestic violence incidents, including Tyler threatening to kill Nikki and her family.
• One incident involved Tyler allegedly pointing a gun at Nikki while threatening to kill her.
• Chloe also said Tyler and Nikki accused each other of infidelity, which was an ongoing issue.

Larry Fultz (Tyler’s cousin)

• Said that on the night of May 20, 2024, Tyler arrived at his home asking for a ride to his vehicle and was carrying a gas can.
• They drove toward Bowman Road but did not find the vehicle.
• Fultz described Tyler as mumbling and otherwise quiet, believed he was high on methamphetamine, and stated that both Tyler and Nikki were meth users.

Sheriff’s Office deputies

• Two deputies performed welfare checks at the McCain home in Happy Valley after Nikki was reported missing. Tyler and Nikki were not there.
• A man living in a trailer on the property, nicknamed “Too Tall,” reported hearing regular verbal arguments inside the McCain home.

Deputy Eliseo Brito

• Located Nikki’s Chevrolet Avalanche on Highway 36 the night of May 25, 2024.
• Reported the odor of decomposition coming from the covered truck bed and observed a swarm of small flies or gnats.
• Statements attributed to Nikki
• Multiple witnesses testified Nikki had said, “If something ever happened to me, Tyler did it.”

Det. Jerry Maul (Shasta County Sheriff’s Office)

• Played Nikki’s December 2023 audio recording.
• Nikki described Tyler beating her for several hours, sitting on her head while punching her, dragging her on the floor, and taping her hands, mouth, and ankles while saying he was going to kill her.
• She noted there had been other incidents and said “this one was the worst.”

September 9, 2025 – Day Two

Det. Sgt. Gerry Maul (Shasta County Sheriff’s Office)

• Resumed testimony about Nikki’s December 2023 hospital interview.
• Said Nikki described being beaten by Tyler at their Olinda Road home.
• Photos entered into evidence showed Nikki with black eyes, cuts, and bruises.
• Nikki told him these injuries were caused by Tyler punching her repeatedly.

Two Sheriff’s deputies

• Testified about an April 1, 2024 traffic stop on Highway 299.
• Tyler was pulled over, and deputies found Nikki’s partially burned driver’s license in his wallet.

Courtney Leadingham (Senior Investigative Technician)

• Described visiting the McCains’ Olinda Road home in May 2024 after Nikki was reported missing.
• Observed vehicles in disrepair and scattered car parts outside.
• Inside the house, she found ammunition of various calibers in nearly every room.
• Testified about locating Nikki’s Chevy Avalanche off Highway 36:
• Keys from the home opened the truck.
• Strong odor of decomposition came from the enclosed truck bed.
• Evidence recovered:
• White sheet with bloodstains.
• Dried blood smeared on the truck bed.
• Strands of dark hair caught in the sheet and under a piece of trim.
• During CHP inspection of the Avalanche, when the vehicle was lifted, blood pooled and began dripping from underneath.
• Judge postpones decision on protective orders for children.
• Detective Sgt. Gerry Maul testifies about Nikki’s Dec 2023 hospital interview:
• Describes injuries (black eyes, bruises, cuts).
• Nikki told him Tyler punched and threatened her.
• Deputies testify about April 1, 2024 traffic stop where Nikki’s partially burned driver’s license was found in Tyler’s wallet.
• Courtroom evacuated for ~20 minutes due to fire alarm; resumed after clearance.

 September 10, 2025 – Day Three

Courtney Leadingham (forensic technician) continued testimony:

• At home: bedroom in disarray, holes in walls, ammo scattered, rifle behind fridge, Avalanche keys on kitchen counter, bathroom with standing water.
• In Avalanche: decomposition odor, sheet with reddish-brown stains, hair, dried blood, confirmed via BlueStar reagent.
• Vehicle lifted: pooled blood dripping beneath into undercarriage area.
• Tire tread evidence: unique tread from Avalanche matched impressions at grandmother’s property.
• Notes from home presented, including: “I told everyone what you did, everyone encouraged me to turn you in.”
• Defense cross-examination raises issue that Avalanche appeared to have been moved after its discovery.

Courtroom Outburst

• Tyler had been quiet and mostly motionless through testimony.
• When prosecutors displayed family photos from inside the McCain home, he suddenly burst out:
• “How is that out of line? This is bull****, why am I under arrest?”
• Judge Thomas Bender and defense attorney Michael Borges calmed him, and a brief recess was called before proceedings resumed.

Michael Ripley (Tyler’s brother-in-law) testifies:

• Lived in Happy Valley at the time.
• Around 9:30–10 p.m., nephew Justin Karen asked him to pick up Tyler near Bowman Road/Highway 36.
• Tyler requested to return home via Platina, a longer route.
• At a pullout — the same site where Nikki’s Avalanche was later found — Tyler asked to stop to urinate.
• The Avalanche wouldn’t start because Tyler had put diesel in a gas-powered engine; truck rolled down a slope.
• Justin asked Tyler if there was anything in the truck that needed to disappear; both times, Tyler answered “yes.”

Afternoon session: Judge issues protective order for Nikki and Tyler’s children.

• Prosecution argued Tyler told his mother and sister he wanted the kids “on his side,” raising concerns of witness tampering.

Current Status

• The preliminary hearing remains ongoing in Shasta County Superior Court.
• Judge Bender is weighing whether sufficient evidence exists to hold Tyler McCain for trial.
• Prosecutors argue the special circumstance applies that Tyler murdered Nikki to stop her from testifying in the December 2023 case.
• If held to answer and later convicted, Tyler faces life without parole (LWOP).