Death threats, family violence alleged in court files of missing Redding woman

A Shasta County woman who has been missing for more than two months told sheriff's deputies last year that her husband beat her and threatened to kill her and, according to court records, the couple had a "volatile" relationship that led to their children being taken from their home.

Nikki Cheng Saelee McCain, who has been missing since May 18, told a sheriff's deputy that her husband, Tyler McCain, beat her up at the couple's Happy Valley home in November 2023.

Tyler McCain was charged in December 2023 with felony domestic violence, false imprisonment, making criminal threats and assault.

However, those charges were dismissed this month after Nikki McCain went missing. Because she was the victim and a witness in the case and unable to testify, Superior Court Judge Daniel Flynn said he had to dismiss the charges against Tyler McCain.

Dozens of people protested outside court in Redding the morning after charges against Tyler McCain were dismissed.

District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said that she believes dismissing the case was the best course to take following Nikki McCain's disappearance.

"We know Nikki’s disappearance and our decision on the domestic violence case is upsetting to many of you. I hear your frustrations and your desire for justice. I assure you that I and everyone in my office share your frustrations and your desire for justice. Not only in the domestic violence case but also her safe return home,“ Bridgett said in a written statement.

"I assure you that dismissing the domestic violence case is the best path forward at this time as it preserves our ability to refile the case once Nikki is located or sufficient evidence is obtained to utilize her statements in her absence," Bridgett said.

The report from the sheriff's office said Nikki McCain appeared to have been beaten up when a deputy interviewed her at Mercy Medical Center three days after the alleged assault.

"Both of her eyes were blackened severely, both were also swollen in what appeared to be the result of a physical assault," the report says. She told the deputy her husband of 13 years hit her numerous times.

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She told the deputy she arrived at the couple's Happy Valley home between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2023. Tyler McCain arrived about 15 minutes later and "immediately jumped on her, held her down on the ground and dragged her around, yelled at her and asked her 'What's going on? What are you doing?" the report says.

At one point Nikki McCain said her husband wrapped tape around her ankles and wrists, the report says. He also put tape over her mouth. During the struggle he also placed her face down on the floor, pulled her hair and head back and threatened to kill her, the report says.

"Confidential victim (Nikki McCain) said she thought she was going to die, that Tyler may actually intend to kill her," she reportedly told the deputy.

The report noted that Nikki McCain is 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 90 pounds and "Tyler is substantially larger and stronger than she is, and there would be no way for her to fend him off in his fit of rage during the assault," the report says.

Nikki McCain eventually escaped and drove to a sister's house in Redding, the report says.

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After taking a statement from Nikki McCain at the hospital, deputies went to the couple's home in Happy Valley and arrested Tyler McCain.

Tyler McCain, 39, who pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, told a deputy investigating the incident that he had nothing to do with what happened to his wife and suggested that his wife was injured when she got into a fight with another woman.

Tyler McCain also said he thought his wife was having an affair with a woman.

After arresting Tyler McCain, deputies searched the home and found five firearms "in plain view." One of the guns was an AK 47-type rifle that was reported stolen from Oregon, the report says.

While charges against Tyler McCain were dismissed, Nikki McCain has an active misdemeanor battery case against her in superior court.

A relative of Tyler McCain's reported to Anderson police in January 2022 that she was allegedly attacked by Nikki McCain. The woman, who was not named in the police report, had temporary custody of the McCain's four children due to ongoing violence in their family, the report says.

"Nikki and her significant other have had such a volatile relationship over the past year that Nikki's children have been taken from her and placed into temporary custody with (the woman) at the direction of Tribal Social Services," the police report says.

The report does not say which tribe, but court dockets list an address for Tyler McCain on Redding Rancheria Road. It isn't clear how the McCains are affiliated with the rancheria and an official with the tribe said she could not comment on whether they were members of the rancheria.

The Redding Rancheria is one of three organizations that have offered rewards of up $10,000 for information about the whereabouts of Nikki McCain.

The woman reported to Anderson police that Nikki McCain showed up at her house on Jan. 3, 2022 and attempted to take at least one of the children. A fight broke out when the woman tried to stop Nikki McCain.

The two ended up on the floor of the residence, punching, kicking and scratching each other. Two of the children had to pull them apart, the woman told police. Nikki McCain then drove off, the report says.

While the alleged incident happened in January 2022, the police report on file in court was dated June 16, 2022 and a single misdemeanor charge of battery was filed against Nikki McCain on Nov. 29, 2022.

The Anderson police officer who wrote the report said he was not able to contact Nikki McCain as part of his investigation.

MORE: 'Someone knows something.' Reward now $30K to find Nikki Cheng McCain, missing since May

The district attorney's office sent a citation letter to Nikki McCain on Nov. 29, but no court hearing dates have been held on the case since charges were filed, according to court records.

A district attorney's office spokeswoman said she would try to find out why no court hearings have been held regarding the battery charges against Nikki McCain.

Shasta County Secret Witness, the Redding Rancheria and the Kingsman Philanthropic Corp. have offered to provide up to $30,000 for information that leads to finding Nikki McCain. Her vehicle was recovered May 25 in Tehama County, but officials have not said where in the county it was located.

Brian Fitzgibbons, Kingsman's director of operations, said his organization deals with missing persons cases around the country. The Nikki McCain case is different from others, he said.

"Just big picture, look at the statistics of missing persons cases nationwide. This is an outlier in and of itself. And the second point is her status as a victim who made an on-the-record allegation to the Shasta County Sheriff's Department. Her status as a victim-slash-witness makes this even more rare," Fitzgibbons said.

The district attorney's office filed charges in 440 domestic violence cases last year, the office said.

Nationwide, most missing person's cases are runaway children and teenagers, he said. Nikki McCain is 39 years old. A majority of people reported missing are also found within two weeks, he said. As time passes, it becomes more difficult to find people who have gone missing, he said.

"As we know, time is of the essence. And we believe that there are individuals connected to Nikki, connected to Tyler that have information and have not come forward yet that have information about things that happened on or about the date she was last seen and in the immediate aftermath of her going missing. And we believe that there are individuals in the community that have information that could help us find her," Fitzgibbons said.

The case is also different because of the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. She was the sole witness to a violent crime against her, he said.

He said the community has rallied to get the word out about her disappearance and that publicity has helped law enforcement learn more about how she disappeared.

"The anonymous tip line has has been ringing. People are starting to call in. I think the information about the reward is getting out there. And I would say that the community is very actively involved in this conversation," Fitzgibbons said.

The sheriff's office's major crimes unit asks that anyone with information about Nikki McCain call 530-245-6135 or by email at MCU@shastacounty.gov. The Redding Rancheria and Nor Cal Alliance for the Missing are also taking tips at 530-638-3855 or 530-378-4491. Kingsman Philanthropic can be reached at 786-509-7135.

Reporter Damon Arthur welcomes story tips at 530-338-8834, by email at damon.arthur@redding.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @damonarthur_RS . Help local journalism thrive by subscribing today !

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Death threats, family violence alleged in court files of missing Redding woman