The search for Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain has taken a significant turn, as the Sheriff’s Office now says it’s a homicide investigation. The last known sighting of the 40-year-old mother was May 18nd of last year. At the time of her disappearance, felony domestic violence charges were pending against her husband Tyler McCain, but the case had to be dropped because Nikki was the only witness. That, and Tyler’s persistent silence, has directed a lot of the community’s attention toward him. Last week he made a public statement for the first time. With Nikki’s family at his side, he apologized for his apparent refusal to help with the search for his wife. The Sheriff’s Office says they have persons of interest but they’re not saying who that might be. On Friday Sheriff’s Detectives were joined by Homeland Security and FBI Agents as they served a search warrant for the second time at the family’s home on Olinda Road. Shortly after Nikki’s disappearance, her Chevy Avalanche was found in Western Tehama County. Detectives are seeking help in identifying the driver of a red pickup truck who picked up a man and gave him a ride from near the R Wild Horse Ranch or the Beegum Gorge Bridge between May 18th and May 25th. There’s still $30,000 worth of rewards available for tips that lead to Nikki’s location.
-Steve Gibson