MISSING: Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain

Written By M Diaries

The last time anyone heard from 39-year-old Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain was on the evening of May 17th, 2024. She sent a text to her sister saying that she was visiting her estranged husband’s brother in a Redding, California hospital and that she would be returning her mother-in-law’s car to her mother-in-law’s house at the nearby Redding Rancheria reservation.

Before long, Nikki’s friends and family began to realize that no one had heard from her in days. And one week following the text she sent to her sister, Nikki’s Chevy Avalanche was discovered abandoned alongside a lonesome road in an extremely rural and desolate area more than 40 miles from where Nikki lived. Despite extensive searches to find her, no one could explain why Nikki’s truck was found so far from home, and there was no answer for the question of what had happened to her. It was as if Nikki had vanished into thin air.

Strikingly beautiful, Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain was a beloved mother, daughter, and sister who, at the time of her disappearance, still had so much more life to live. Her compassion for others is what her friends and family remember most about Nikki. Her sister described her as extremely forgiving, unceasingly positive, and someone who could be your biggest cheerleader.

So, what happened to Nikki Cheng Saelee-McCain in the early hours of that mid-May night? At the time of the recording of this podcast, it’s been nearly a year since she went missing, and both her family and authorities are still trying to piece together any clues and information that will hopefully one day help bring Nikki home.

Photo of Nikki

Photo of Nikki

Nikki's truck was found abandoned four days after she was reported missing.


Photo and caption via The Sun

Map of Nikki’s possible last known locations


Graphic via The Sun

Missing poster

via Redding Rancheria 

Billboard on I-5

Photo via NBC News

Justice for Nikki rally

Photo via NBC News

 

Nikki is described as being around five-feet tall, weighing one-hundred pounds with brownish-red hair and brown eyes. She has a forearm tattoo with flowers.

If you or someone you know has information about Nikki or how she disappeared, please contact the Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135, or email MCU@shastacounty.gov. You can also submit tips through scsecretwitness.com/submitatip.

Visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/people/helpfindNikkiChengSaeleeMcCain

 
 

Resources

M Diaries
Previous

UNSOLVED: Amanda Clairmont
Next

MURDERED: Kelly Morrisseau