Nikki Cheng's family steps up support, search for missing woman

Lina Portman2 days ago

0 2 minutes read

Family and friends of a Shasta County woman missing for more than a month will hold another gathering Friday morning at the courthouse in downtown Redding.

Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain, 39, was last heard from on May 17.

The case was initially investigated by the Redding Police Department after family members lost contact with McCain. But the Shasta County Sheriff's Office took over the investigation.

The sheriff's office said Cheng Saelee McCain's truck, a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche, was found in Tehama County on May 25. Investigators did not say where in Tehama County the truck was found.

Friday's “Justice for Nikki” rally will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Shasta County Courthouse on Court Street.

The rally will take place about an hour before Cheng Saelee McCain's husband, Tyler McCain, is due in court for a pretrial conference on charges of domestic violence and unlawful confinement.

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The Shasta County District Attorney's Office announced in court Friday that it has decided to dismiss the case against Tyler McCain.

In a statement, the prosecutor's office said it made the decision “due to insufficient evidence as the victim, Nikki McCain, is currently a missing person and her disappearance is under investigation.”

“As stated in court Friday, the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office has exhausted all avenues to prove the case at this point without Nikki’s presence. The District Attorney’s Office reserves all rights to refile this case in the future. After hearing the People’s comments, the court has continued this case for retrial on July 5, 2024, which is still within the 60-day waiver period,” the statement reads in part.

The statement also said the prosecutor's office is assisting the sheriff's office in the investigation into the disappearance of Cheng Saelee McCain.

A billboard has been posted along Interstate 5 northbound in Anderson near the Balls Ferry Road exit that reads, “HELP US FIND NIKKI CHENG SAELEE-MCCAIN.” The phone numbers for Nor-Cal Alliance for the Missing and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office are listed on the billboard.

Nor-Cal Alliance for the Missing did not respond to a phone message seeking comment.

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It's unclear who paid for the billboard. Sheriff's spokesman Tim Mapes said his office did not install the billboard.

“The missing person case of Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain remains ongoing and detectives with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit continue to work diligently on the investigation. Details of the actions taken by investigators are being withheld due to the integrity of the investigation. We continue to urge members of the public as well as families who may have information to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or [email protected],” Mapes wrote in an email to the Record Searchlight.

Shasta County Secret Witness is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the location of Saelee McCain. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 530-245-6135 or visit www.scsecretwitness.com/submit-a-tip.

McCain is described as 4-foot-2, 110 pounds, and has brown hair and eyes, the sheriff's office said.

David Benda covers business, development and everything else happening for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly column “Buzz on the Street.” He is part of a team of dedicated journalists who investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Connect with him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and perpetuate this work, please subscribe today.

Lina Portman

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