We simply hope this story has a happier ending…
The main points within the disappearance of 33-year-old Nikki Alcaraz, often known as Nikki Cunningham, has struck an all too acquainted observe for many who observe lacking individuals instances. The Tennessee mother of 1 left from Nashville on a cross-country journey together with her boyfriend in early Could, in line with her sister. She was certain for Orange County, California, the place she was supposed to go to household — however she hasn’t been seen or heard from in weeks. Her sister Toni instructed native outlet KNRN-TV on Sunday that Nikki final texted her on Could 8, saying she was in Arizona. Then… nothing. For 3 weeks. Toni lamented:
“Then I didn’t hear anything after that Monday morning. I speak to her virtually day by day, so I’m scared one thing occurred to them.”
A lady on a street journey together with her boyfriend goes lacking? Should you’re already seeing eerie similarities to the early days of Gabby Petito‘s disappearance, simply wait…
Associated: Roberta Laundrie’s Full ‘Dispose Of A Physique’ Word Revealed
It seems Nikki and her boyfriend, Steven Tyler Stratton, have been stopped by police on the street after a report of a home dispute — similar to Gabby and Brian Laundrie. Based on the bodycam footage from the Could 8 encounter in Torrance County, New Mexico, it’s painfully related. An eyewitness instructed police he noticed Nikki on the bottom, together with her boyfriend hitting her. Stratton, who had blood on his face, instructed them he was the one attacked. However Nikki had the witness on her aspect, in addition to some fairly upsetting bruising throughout her physique.
At first Nikki says she wish to press fees. However after a couple of minutes talking to the Torrance County Sheriff’s Workplace deputies, she modifies her thoughts. Neither of them press fees. Regardless of Stratton having a warrant out for his arrest over a parole violation, he isn’t arrested — they’re merely pushed to completely different places. It’s a reasonably upsetting watch:
Toni instructed KNRN her sister Facetimed her after the incident, and it was clear she’d been assaulted:
“Her eye was already turning black and you could possibly inform she was beat up fairly dangerous.”
Followers of the Petito case will acknowledge method too many similarities there. They have been additionally stopped, by the police in Moab, Utah, and let go. These cops are actually the defendants in a wrongful dying go well with after Brian went on to homicide Gabby simply weeks later of their journey.
Clearly Nikki’s household had no intention of leaving her there alone, or — even perhaps worse — with Tyler. Toni defined that one other member of the family drove to New Mexico to choose her up and convey her to California. Issues didn’t work out that method:
“That morning once they have been supposed to depart, she instructed him that she had to return and discover Tyler as a result of she had a foul feeling, and so he left with out her.”
That was Could 6. Two days later, Nikki contacted Toni once more, by textual content. At this level, that was the final time she heard from her sister, with whom she spoke day by day. Toni instructed the outlet:
“I’m scared one thing occurred to them, whether or not they obtained in one other struggle or in the event that they crashed her Jeep someplace.”
The couple have been in a black 2013 Jeep Wrangler, license plate BGL3539. Additionally they had a canine with them.
In an odd replace, it appears Nikki did make it to California. She was noticed in surveillance footage at a Walmart in Redding, CA, on Saturday. This needs to be excellent news, save for 2 massive issues. First, California is a BIG state. And Redding is in NorCal, nowhere shut to her household in Orange County. We’re speaking a roughly 12-hour drive. She could also be in Cali, however she’s virtually as distant from the OC as she was when she was in New Mexico.
The second situation? What she was noticed doing was odd…
Based on Amanda Sanders, a longtime good friend talking to The US Solar, she was seen promoting her telephone:
“She used a kind of mobile phone kiosk issues in a Walmart to promote her telephone. From what I collect, the man that watches the footage and stuff […] acknowledged her from the information and known as the police.”
Why would she be promoting her telephone? After disappearing, she’s eliminating the a technique she was contacting her household? That has some awfully disturbing connotations. That’s one of many causes these kiosks require you to scan your ID and fingerprint. Therefore Nikki being “discovered.”
Innerestingly, it does appear she’s nonetheless with Tyler. Based on Sanders, the person standing subsequent to her within the footage is unquestionably her man:
“I’ve seen individuals on-line saying it isn’t him. However his pure hair shade is sort of a medium brown with some purple in it. So appears to be like like his pure hair shade and he hasn’t shaven. And his physique language within the photos is correct.”
Inneresting. Is every part truly OK? Or is one thing darker happening right here? If it’s all superb, why not converse to her household?
Effectively, it appears, a minimum of, she has been discovered. Based on the Redding Police Division, at round 4:30 p.m. PST, whilst this publish was being written, Nikki was contacted by the Eureka Police Division. She is now not thought of lacking, legally.
And in an amazing replace, since then, NewsNation spoke with Nikki’s brother, who confirmed she has now lastly reached out to them as nicely! Phew! Such nice information.
We could by no means perceive what occurred in these three weeks, why the mother selected to ghost her household. However a minimum of now they know she’s alive and secure. We stated we hoped Nikki’s story would have a happier ending than Gabby’s — now we’re simply pleased her story isn’t over but.
Should you or somebody is experiencing home violence, assist is accessible. Take into account calling the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or textual content START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
[Image via Law&Crime Network/YouTube/Nikki Alcaraz/Facebook/Gabby Petito/Instagram.]
