REDDING, Calif. — The preliminary hearings for Tyler McCain, charged with the alleged abuse and murder of his wife, Nikki Saelee, resumed Tuesday, marking day eight in a tense and emotional courtroom setting. Nikki, who has been missing since spring 2024, has yet to be found.
Emotions ran high as supporters of Nikki’s family gathered outside the Shasta County Courthouse, calling for justice and transparency. “Pray for the Saelee family,” one supporter urged, emphasizing the need for a fair judicial process. “Let the evidence speak for itself.”
Detective Kilee Holroyd took the stand to share insights from a year-long investigation into Nikki’s disappearance. The testimony included details of a meeting between McCain, his attorney Michael Borges, and Nikki, held a month prior to her disappearance. Nikki’s family alleges this meeting was an attempt to coerce her into recanting previous claims of domestic abuse.
The investigation’s findings were further detailed through cellphone data, which revealed that Nikki’s phone last connected to service in the early hours of May 18, near the couple’s residence. Additionally, testimony highlighted a suspicious incident involving McCain attempting to cash a check meant for both him and Nikki on May 29. On his first visit, only McCain’s signature was present, causing the bank to reject the check. When he returned with what appeared to be Nikki’s signature, forensic analysis later determined it was forged.
Holroyd also presented evidence of burnt credit cards and a destroyed cellphone found by a resident near Newcastle and Happy Valley Road, just under a mile from McCain’s home. Though the phone could not be recovered, the credit cards were confirmed to belong to Nikki.
The court also heard harrowing accounts from three of the couple’s daughters during forensic interviews. Each child described witnessing instances of their father’s abuse. The eldest referred to McCain as “possessed” and recounted scenarios where Nikki used them as shields during violent confrontations. Another child described a night when they awoke to sounds of fighting, revealing a distressing scene where McCain allegedly assaulted Nikki.
As the testimony of abuse unfolded, McCain remained mostly silent, keeping his head down and appearing withdrawn.
The hearing shifted back to cellphone records, outlining that Nikki’s phone last connected to service around May 27 and 28, nearly two weeks after her disappearance. Holroyd explained that triangulation data placed the phone’s location near McCain’s home initially, and later near properties owned by his family.
The preliminary hearings concluded with a decision from visiting Judge Thomas Bender to advance the case to trial. McCain is scheduled to appear in court again on October 7 at 8:30 a.m. for his arraignment.
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