SHASTA COUNTY — Tyler Scott McCain was placed under arrest and charged with the disappearance and murder of his wife, Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, according to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).
Tyler McCain was booked into custody at the Shasta County Jail with no bail.
Related Articles
Child abuse probe is related to missing California boy’s case
Father of missing California baby assists investigators in search for infant’s remains
‘I will not give up on my baby,’ says California mother jailed on suspicion of murder after baby goes missing
Parents of missing California baby are arrested on suspicion of murder at their home
A nonprofit wants to resume the search for the missing California baby, and is ‘baffled’ the parents have not responded
“Based on the evidence gathered, information learned from interviews and the fact that none of Nikki’s family members have heard from Nikki since her disappearance, detectives have determined she is a victim of homicide,” SCSO stated in a press release.
On May 22, 2024, Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain was reported missing by family members. The missing person report was made with the Redding Police Department. It was transferred to the Sheriff’s Office two days later, on May 24, 2024, due to Nikki’s last being seen in the county, which is the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction.
Detectives immediately started working to locate Nikki and her Chevy Avalanche, which was also missing. Detectives determined Nikki was last seen at 17277 Olinda Road in Anderson on May 18, 2024, where she lived with her husband, Tyler McCain. A day after taking over the missing person case, detectives served a search warrant at the home. Various items were seized as evidence; however, Nikki was not located.
According to police reports, on May 25, 2024, Nikki’s vehicle, the Chevy Avalanche, was located by a citizen off Highway 36 near Beegum Gorge Bridge, located near the Shasta and Tehama County border near Platina. Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators processed the vehicle and located physical evidence, which supported foul play. The area where Nikki’s vehicle was located was searched by the Sheriff’s Office staff, which included Search and Rescue teams; however, Nikki was still not located.
“Since the start of this investigation, detectives have worked tirelessly to locate Nikki and to determine the events leading to her disappearance. Detectives have served numerous search warrants, conducted numerous searches, interviewed family members, friends, and acquaintances of Nikki to no avail in locating her,” the SCSO stated.
Agencies involved in the investigation include the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office, the Redding Police Department, Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit and Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team, the California Department of Justice, and CAL FIRE Law Enforcement.
The SCSO stated, “A combined reward of up to $30,000 still stands for anyone who provides information that leads to Nikki’s location.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit by email at [email protected] or at 530-245-6135.