A lacking northern California mother of 4 was killed by her abusive husband in order that she wouldn’t testify in opposition to him at an home violence trial, prosecutors say — as they charged him together with her homicide 15 months after she vanished.
Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain’s physique nonetheless has by no means been discovered.
Tyler McCain was arrested after an informant instructed investigators Tyler admitted to killing his spouse in Might 2024 — when the 39-year-old was final seen alive, the Shasta County District Legal professional’s Workplace introduced Wednesday.
The couple had a protracted historical past of home violence courting again to 2020 — together with a severe home assault case in opposition to her husband from December 2023, wherein she accused him of tying her up and viciously beating her over three hours inside their house in Redding.
“It’s our perception that Tyler McCain murdered his spouse, Nikki McCain, to forestall her from testifying within the home violence case,” Shasta County District Legal professional Stephanie A. Bridgett Stephanie A. Bridgett instructed reporters.
Saelee-McCain was reported lacking on Might 18, 2024 by members of the family simply days after she texted family members about her plans to finish her 15-year marriage with husband as a result of the continued abuse made her concern for her life, in keeping with authorities.
Her automobile was discovered deserted on Might 24, 2024 close to the Shasta and Tehama county line in northern California — about 45 minutes from the couple’s house. Blood in discovered within the automobile was confirmed to be Nikki’s.
Her physique has not been found, however her lacking individuals case was declared a murder in March.
McCain was charged with one depend of homicide with a particular circumstance of intent to forestall testimony.
The state can be refiling home violence expenses for an assault from 2023, which had been dropped after Saelee-McCain disappeared. He had initially pleaded not responsible to felony home violence, claiming her accidents had been from a struggle with another person.
Extra expenses embrace unlawful possession of a firearm and forgery.
That is the primary time Shasta County has tried a homicide case with no physique being current, Bridgett mentioned.
He’s at present being held with out bail and is scheduled to seem in courtroom Friday.
Authorities have supplied a reward of as much as $30,000 for data resulting in the situation of Saelee-McCain’s physique.
“Please carry that data ahead now that this case is on the level that it’s and supply some aid for Nikki’s household and assist finish their agonizing ache and search and allow them to lay her to relaxation,” Sheriff Michael L. Johnson mentioned.
