Police shared that it looked like the items had been deliberately placed, as opposed to thrown from a vehicle. He now lives in Arkansas with his third wife. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Extra Notes: This case first aired on the November 16, 1988 episode. Christi, circa 1987 Missing Since 12/11/1987 Missing From Gothenburg, Nebraska Classification Endangered Missing Sex Female Race White Date of Birth 09/06/1965 (56) Age 22 years old Height and Weight 5'9, 120 pounds Clothing/Jewelry Description Blue jeans and hiking boots. Listen now, on the Unsolved Mysteries podcast. What was found in both the suitcase and purse were exactly as Mark initially told investigators she had packed and had in her purse at the time she vanished. Mark continues to maintain his innocence in Christi's disappearance. An investigation revealed traces of Christi's blood in the couple's house and in the husband's car. According to Mark, he did this, so as to not worry Connie. At first, police handled the disappearance as a missing persons case, but as time progressed it evolved into suspicion of murder. The abuser always has an inventory of what the victim has and doesnt have, he always knows what the victim plans, doesnt plan, where she is or will be. The police cleared the man. The cause and manner of Nichols death is still under investigation, according to police. He went on to tell investigators that things at the bar seemed good. He claims that he would not have hurt her because he was not a violent person. This is due to Marks behaviour in the days after her disappearance moving out of the family home, selling the familys vehicles as well as him being able to name everything shed supposedly taken with her. When the victim refuses to go back or stay is whenthings can go south. He knew that the amount of blood found in the car and home were not enough to indicate someone had sustained a serious bodily injury, so the ability to hide her body so well that no one could find it is of high importance to him and killers like him. Nichols's ears are pierced. Mark reported Christi missing later that day. At 1:37pm, Mark filed a missing persons report with the Gothenburg police department. Violet died in 1999 at the age of seventy-eight and Claude died in 2013 at the age of eighty. Christi Jo Nichols, a 22-year-old mother of two and part-time bartender, vanished Dec. 11, 1987. Oddly, both family cars were in the driveway at the time Christi Jo. She also keeps track of family members. The Disappearance and Death of Christi Jo Nichols December 11, 1987. Christi and her husband of three years, Mark Nichols, left their two children with a babysitter and went to a bar in Gothenburg, Nebraska on the evening of December 10, 1987. Between 12:30am and 1:00am, Mark came home. He would have the known the area very well. After she vanished, he allegedly told Connie that he was glad that she was gone, and that she was a bad mother who wanted "a new life with a new man". When a neighbor is in trouble, it becomes everybody's business. Job description and qualifications are posted for Nebraska education commissioner applicants. Kniss now works part time at a warehouse but maintains documents on the case to help researchers and investigators. She was last seen at Catalyst Church in Bentonville. Trace amounts of Christi's blood were found on the floor of her bedroom, and in the trunk of Mark's 1977 Mercury Cougar. She and her husband, Mark Nichols, ate supper at Pizza Hut with their infant daughter and son, took them to see Santa and then home to a baby sitter while the couple played pool at the bar where Christi Jo worked. A few days later, he packed up the familys belongings and sold both their cars. Last updated January 22, 2020; three pictures added. Are prices headed up or down? Please subscribe to keep reading. You do not argue, question or do something he does not approve of. Mark told Christi Jos mother that Christi Jo was asleep when she called by the way. Diane had been doing her homework in front of the television at the time. At 11:30am, Mark dropped the children off at Violets house and asked her to watch them while he looked for Christi. Before she left Berreckmans office, she made a follow-up appointment, at which time they had planned to move forward with the divorce proceedings. All of the officers agreed on the fact that whoever left the belongings at the rest stop wanted them to be found. She was married and had two children. Rumors swirled that some sort of letter was found from Christi Jo to an unnamed man explaining that she was in the process of leaving her husband and would be in touch in a few months. Results: Unsolved. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. Extensive ground searches were conducted, but nothing was found. Both cars were at the home at the timeof her disappearance. He never asked Christi Jos grandmother if she had heard from Christi Jo, let alone if she maybe stopped in to see her grandmother or if she was at her grandmothers at the time he dropped off the children. Mark was able to tell investigators exactly what items Christi Jo supposedly packed and what contents she happened to have in her purse at the time of her disappearance. The location is approximately 30 miles from Gothenburg. Abusers like Mark simply will not stand for or allow for, property to walk out the door. Nichols, a mother of two small children, was last seen alive on December 10, 1987, at her home in Gothenburg. Officer Terry Ahrens was put in charge of this case. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He claimed that he tossed her onto the waterbed and she landed wrong, twisting her thumb underneath her. According to those who knew her, Christi was known for being a dedicated mother, whose life revolved around Mark and her children. Learn how your comment data is processed. They laughed and had an enjoyable time. Click here to join us. EARLY LIFE: Christi Jo Nichols was born on September 6, 1965 in Overton, Dawson County, Nebraska to Connie Stanley and Ken Williams. Once they realize they are losing control over the victim, they start to take or hold things over the victims head that matter until the victim agrees to comply with the abusers requests or starts to live up to the abusers standards/expectations. He always knew that if he ever had to, this would be the area he would dispose of a body. Foul play is suspected in Christi's disappearance and it is classified as a homicide. Christi has been missing for 33 years today. Just after 12:00am on December 11, 1987, Mark and Christi left the bar and stopped at an all-night convenience store. There are multiple witnesses who confirmed that he was abusing her in the weeks prior to her disappearance. Kniss said the family would like answers. He hoped to spot her leaving a store or friend's house. All he said was that she was missing. It would be an area that he knows well, well enough to know it wouldnt have been thought of to search or investigators wouldnt have been able to search it, such as government/military owned land. She was also trapped in an abusive relationship at the hands of her husband Mark. On January 3, 2020, the case saw renewed interest after the Nebraska State Patrol released a press release. Mark claimed that the fight occurred when he tried to keep Christi from going out. Reba Benschoter, an emeritus professor at UNMC who recently died, is recognized as a pioneer of today's telemedicine and distance learning. Very few men could look into a womans closet no matter how many years theyve been together and be able to tell you what might be missing, even fewer men could tell you the exact contents of what a woman has in her purse. Rumours began to spread about what Mark had done to Christi, including one that said hed dismembered her, placed her body in plastic bags and buried her at the local landfill. Afterward, McGinn was connected to the 1992 rape-murder of 19-year-old Christi Jo Eggers. Unsolved Mysteries Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Her body and car were discovered in the parking lot of Northwest Medical Center in Springdale on September 13. Christi Jo Nichols was a 22 year old from Gothenburg, NE. Christi and Mark left the bar around midnight and drove to an all-night convenience store. Debbie feared for Christi's safety and told her that she needed to get help from someone. More recent DNA tests have proved that the blood found in Marks car was indeed Christis. Contrary to popular belief long before the victim ever thought of leaving, the abuser developed a plan just in case it got to that point. Both the suitcase and the purse, with everything still inside, were found at an Interstate 80 rest stop near Maxwell, Nebraska in March 1988. The case has been included in a deck of playing cards that featured photographs of unsolved homicide victims, which were distributed to prisons and jails throughout Nebraska. Currently, the case is classified as a homicide and foul play is suspected. . In 1983, she graduated from Overton High School. He said they argued until 2:00 a.m., when he went to sleep. She thought it was strange because normally when she watched them, Christi or Mark would call ahead of time to ask if she was available. After she went missing, a note from Christi, addressed to the other man, was found in the Nicholses' car. His Uncle Gary, who owned the bar, contradicted his story, stating that it was apparent that there was "tenseness" between them. The Nebraska State Patrol investigated the case and the family hired a private detective to no avail. Brown hair, green eyes. My heart goes out to people all over the country when I hear about somebody missing. Mark says that he and Christi Jo left the bar around midnight and stopped at an all-night convenience store. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He has denied any wrongdoing. Terry noted that if Christi left Mark, he would not have been able to look through the closet and say what she had taken. Bumping for Christi, today is her birthday. . More often than not the words mentally-ill, bipolar or manipulate are tossed at a victims feet in an attempt to make the victim feel as if sheis the problem, that she hassome sort of mental disorder and isincapable of being alone, taking care herself or of the children, she cant be trusted etc. Around 10 days before Christi Jos disappearance she went to the hospital to be treated for injuries that were a result of Marks inability to control his temper. Christi already had two siblings and now she gained three stepbrothers. There are rumors in Gothenburg that say he is responsible for her disappearance. While Mark tried to tell them it was menstrual blood, later DNA analysis would prove this statement to be false. Make sure you understand that, he knew her every move prior. As a result, her family, which already included two siblings, grew to include three stepbrothers. In April 1990, Mark divorced Christi. At 9:30am, he received a phone call from Connie, who lived 100 miles away. However, she was worried about supporting herself, as she didnt have any money of her own. This case has since stalled. The Gothenburg Police Department initially handled the case, but were soon joined by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Dawson County Sheriffs Office. After this, he claims to have spent approximately two hours driving around Gothenburg looking for his wife. The Nebraska State Patrol investigated. Christi Nichols Real Name: Christi Jo Nichols Nicknames: No known nicknames Location: Gothenburg, Nebraska Date: December 11, 1987 Bio Occupation: Bartender at Pete's Lounge Date Of Birth: September 6, 1965 Height: 5'9" Weight: 120 lbs Marital Status: Married Characteristics: Caucasian female with brown hair and green eyes. In fact, she had planned on coming back; when she left, she made an appointment to come back to his office the following week. At 1:37pm, Mark filed a missing persons report with the Gothenburg Police Department. Also, Mark's parents had a concrete pad poured on their property a few days after she vanished. After that, they were sent to live with him. Incredibly, he was able to list items of clothing, right down the line, and knew what she had taken. Weight: 120 lbs Interestingly, it was discovered that she did not take her cosmetics, most of her clothing, her Social Security card, or her wedding rings. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Christi Jo Nichols went missing from Gothenburg, Dawson County, Nebraska on December 11, 1987. Distinguishing CharacteristicsCaucasian female. Although authorities suspect Christi Jo Nichols is dead, her body never has been found. The attorney stated Christi was extremely stressed and appeared to have been beaten. The move brought her to a town located within the heart of Nebraskas farm belt, which had within it a strong sense of community. Recent DNA tests have proved that the blood found was indeed Christi's. Dead. Mark moved out of the house the day after his wife's disappearance, and a few days after that, he packed up all their belongings and sold both the family's vehicles. It appeared to them that whoever had previously had the items had wanted them to be found. They are concerned about the details surrounding her disappearance, the fact that she has not contacted Lindsey, Preston, or other relatives, the fact that she did not take a vehicle, and the fact that she has been missing for such a long period of time. Location: Gothenburg, Nebraska In 2013, Claude Berreckman passed away at the age of 80 years old. He currently lives in Arkansas with his third wife. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Created by: Fan of the Site Added: 27 Aug 2003 The hope was that it would help produce leads that could help resolve Christis disappearance. This is one of those "we basically know who was behind her disappearance, but lack evidence to convict", unfortunately. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, by David Hendee The patrols cold case unit includes her in a deck of playing cards featuring photographs of homicide victims. She couldn't trust anyone for help. It was like the person that put them there wanted them to be found. Christi also told her cousin, Debbie Frederickson, that she had been abused by Mark. Those with information regarding the case are asked to contact the North Platte Office of the Nebraska State Patrol at 308-535-8047. Christis disappearance received very little media attention, as police suspected she was a runaway wife, as opposed to a victim of foul play. Some of these items can be and are in no way limited to: Personal property, kicking the victim out of the shared home, the shutting down of the shared bank account or draining it of funds, taking theshared children, jewelry, clothing, car keys, ect. Diane had babysat for the couple numerous times and was surprised to see them going out, given she knew they werent getting along. The family wanted Dawson County and state law enforcement officials to open a grand jury investigation of the case but were turned down for lack of evidence. After midnight on December 11, Mark came home and paid the babysitter in cash. She was frightened that Mark would find out; for this reason, she went to an out-of-town lawyer named Claude Berreckman. Then, they were with both sets of grandparents. Her suitcase, along with her purse was found at a rest stop near Maxwell in 1988. The number one thing with men like Mark is that they have to be in control of the situation. Let us know all the details about yourself and send us a message. The babysitter later stated she did not believe Christi came home with her husband, but Mark said Christi was there and the babysitter simply never saw her. Losing is not an option to men like Mark. He stated that the day before they went to the bar, things were uncomfortable because they had not been getting along very well. On December 9, two days before Christi vanished, she went to an attorney to begin divorce proceedings. After having spent around 2 hours driving around searching for his wife Mark decided to go to the police and at approximately 1:37pm 12/11/1987 he reported his wife Christi Jo Nichols missing. It appeared to investigators that the suitcase had been placed there instead of just thrown out. On December 10, the day after the meeting, she and Mark went Christmas shopping with Lindsey and Preston. Rumours began in regards to his abusive tendencies, but Mark denied all accusations, claiming Christi was the instigator and any injuries she suffered were the result of him protecting himself from her. Height: 5'9" Despite this evidence, he has never been charged. At 2:00am, Mark went to bed. However, when investigators checked into his story of driving around town looking for her, they could find nobody in Gothenburg that had seen him doing so. Christi left behind all her other belongings, including her diamond jewelry and driver's license, and she never picked up her last paycheck from the bar where she worked part time. When they married in 1983, Christi was just 19 years old, and the pair soon became the parents of two young children: Lindsey, who was born in December 1984, and Preston, who was born in April 1986. Date: December 11, 1987, Occupation: Bartender at Pete's Lounge Mark Nichols, then 26, and his family contended she ran away from a deteriorating marriage. She has a scar above her left eye and a scar on her abdomen. The area surrounding Gothenburg has been searched extensively. Learn how your comment data is processed. They want the victim to come crawling back and will do everything they can so as to ensure that the victim finds she cannot live life without the abuser. He had done a great amount of divorce work, handling hundreds of divorces. Christi Jo Nichols was born on September 6, 1965 in Overton, Dawson County, Nebraska to Connie Stanley and Ken Williams. Please contact about missing person cases, press inquiries and speaking engagementsImages subject to fair use allowance. Video of Christi Jo Nichols for fans of Unsolved Mysteries. They minimize what is actually happening to them in the home, they are programmed on how to respond when something might be seen such as a bruise or when friends or family question the growing distance the victim has from them. Mark would not have traveled hundreds of miles to dispose of Christi Jo and he most likely would not in broad daylight disposed of her body, the risk is too high unless the area is incredibly isolated. Christi Jo Nichols, a 22 year old mother of 2, disappeared on December 11, 1987 from the small town of Gothenberg, in Dawson County Nebraska. Jessica Ridgeway. What happened to her? a bag and vanished into the night, into the winter night. She was married and had two children. A mother disappears during an evening out with her husband. Her husband reported her missing the next day, and she has never been seen since. Marital Status: Married There have been a lot of things that have not rung true, and to him, it does not appear like a normal missing person's case. In April 1986, their son, Preston, was born. Authorities stated there was not enough blood to indicate Christi was dead. He left Gothenburg a few years later. Private detective believes woman met with foul play, Family Says Help Needed To Search For Missing Woman, Television show could develop leads in case of missing Gothenburg woman, Only husband believes wife lives a year after her disappearance, Case of missing Gothenburg woman remains unsolved mystery (Page 1), Family Wants Grand Jury to Investigate Disappearance, State patrol tries again to find missing woman, Gothenburg woman's disappearance a mystery. At 11:30am, Mark took Lindsey and Preston over to Christi's grandmother Violet's house and asked her if she could watch them while he searched for Christi. He said he spent two hours driving around in the area, looking for her, but never saw her. Its been extremely hard, Kniss said Monday. This type of murderer is the deeply invested abuser/murderer. He claimed to have felt uncomfortable that day because he "felt a lot of anger" coming from her. No other trace of Christi has ever been found. Details: The town of Gothenburg is located in the heart of Nebraska's farm belt. On Dec. 10, 1987, Christi (Williams) Nichols went missing in Gothenburg and has never been found. However, not enough blood was found to indicate that she was deceased. Some people close to the case, including her father, Kenneth, have speculated that she may have been dumped in the gravel fill, as it was uncovered at the time. Although authorities suspect Christi Jo Nichols is dead, her body never has been found. According to Mark, the suitcase contained a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, a bra and a jacket, while the purse held a hairbrush, a pen, a lighter and matchbook, lipstick, a tub of Neutrogena cream, a nail file, a mirror and one piece of gum. Her mom, Connie Stanley, continues to desperately seek for answers. Kniss said her nieces husband lives and works in Hastings. Such a sad and awful story. I go back to her suitcase and purse. The police investigation of this case has raised some disturbing questions about the events surrounding her disappearance. And why, after 19 years, has no trace of the teen ever been found? He noted that as the investigation proceeded, it started to look more and more like a foul play situation. I think it was because my friend knows that I am always in pursuit of the truth when it comes to unsolved murders and my friend also knows when inspired I find an assignment and I stay out of trouble. He also suggested Christi not return home and instead stay with her mother, but she refused. Updated 6 times since October 12, 2004. Christi Jo disappearance, 32 years later. Mark claims the last time he saw Christi Jo was 2am December 11, 1987. In Marks mind at the time the suitcase and purse were found they were left simply and only because at that particular point in time he had to leave them as a way to offer a new lead if you will. Christi Jos parents, who were divorced when she disappeared, live in Nebraska. As far as the world knows, the last time anyone saw Christi Jo was either at the bar or the store Mark says they stopped at on the way home. However, Mark would claim his wife had been five or six yards ahead of him and had gone straight upstairs to see the children, before heading to the main bathroom, which is why Diane hadnt see her. During their investigation, the state patrol discovered that he moved out of their house the day after her disappearance. You do not go against the grain with people like Mark, you do not disagree with him, you do as you are told and you keep your mouth shut. The disposal would have happened sometime after the sitter left or during that two hour window he supposedly drove around looking for her. Mark believes that Christi ran away voluntarily, due to their marital difficulties and the "pressures of motherhood". Christis father, Ken, says that he cant say for sure if his daughter is dead, as theres no evidence of foul play, nor any witnesses who saw anything suspicious. Two days prior to Christi Jos disappearance she consulted with an attorney in a different town, inquiring about a divorce and stated she wanted full custody of her children. 10 days before her disappearance, Christi went to the emergency room for injuries allegedly caused by Mark. When he spoke with police, Mark told them that Christi had only taken a purse and suitcase with her. From what I understand quite an extensive search was conducted in Gothenburg and the surrounding area and turned up nothing. On December 9, 1987, Christi visited divorce attorney Claude Berreckman at his office in Cozad, Nebraska, approximately 10 miles outside of Gothenburg. As a result of the abuse, Christi began seeing an abuse counsellor, which upset her husband. Did This Husband Really Get Away Murder or Could This Case Still be Solved? his car, his home. Images also acquired from CharleyProject.org, directly from the clients of Unfound Podcast or created by Unfound. Mark did a stand up performance by telling medical staff that he was injured from a cigarette burn to the neck administered by Christi Jo and in his attempt to ward her and the weapon off, he might have inadvertently injured Christi Jo. Mark told investigators it was her menstrual blood, but analysis proved this statement was untrue. Although authorities suspect Christi Jo Nichols is dead, her body never has been found. Claude felt that when she was in his office, she was not panic stricken to the point that she would run or leave. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Christi Jo Nichols, a 22-year-old mother of two and part-time bartender, vanished Dec. 11, 1987. In the eyes of the abuser: Victims do not and Cannot seek escape from men like Mark! The attorney advised her not to return to the home she shared with Mark, but she refused. In March 1988, Christis suitcase and purse were located, with everything still with them, at a rest stop on I-80, near Maxwell, Nebraska. After she explained certain abuses that she had been subjected to and showed a bruise on her arm, they decided to call the authorities and report certain crimes that had taken place. Change). Christi wrote she would be leaving after Christmas, but promised to contact the man within a few months. These are all words no mother ever wants to use in reference to her child. She told him she wanted a divorce and custody of her children. Investigators noted that, without locating her or her body, it would be difficult to file charges against anybody in this case. I would love to get more attention for her case. Connie does not believe that she ran away because she never would have left them. She would later become a private investigator herself in order to follow up on leads related to the case. He now lives in Arkansas and is married for the third time. Later that day, Christi made another visit to the abuse counsellor. To this day no trace of her has been found and no one has ever been charged in her disappearance. Violet hopes and prays that she is still alive, but if she is deceased, she would like to know where she is so that she can be given a proper burial. He moved out of the home pretty quickly after Christi Jo vanished, got rid of all traces of her and has since remarried, from what I understand twice. Scared. Despite the evidence against him, he has never been charged in her disappearance, presumably due to the lack of a body. Make sure you understand that, he knew her every move prior. Christi was described as very shy, quiet and smart when she was growing up. She had been taking steps to leave him with her children when on the night of December 10, 1987, the couple left their two children with a babysitter while they went out for the night. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. December 10, 1987. See more. In some cases while it appears they have been able to outsmart the law, the reality is that they simply found a way to avoid a murder charge, for the time being. He was interviewed by police and has been ruled out as a suspect. This is a very controlled type of murderer, they didnt have some sort of argument when he warded her off she fell, hit her head and inadvertently died. It is believed that Mark found about her meetings with Claude and the counselor because Claude contacted Shackleton about the abuse and the counselor met with Christi in Shackleton's office. Change). According to Mark, he sensed a lot of anger coming from his wife. She went to see an abuse counselor, and Mark was angry when he found out and made her promise not to go again, but she went again anyway. Her mother, Connie, remembered that she was a good student and was well-liked. Christi has never been heard from again. Dressing too sexy, she is having an affair, not dressing sexy enough, you dont want him or are not showing him you that you want him, (these days you can include: upset over a social media post a victim posted,liked or shared). Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. On December 11, 1987, twenty-two-year-old housewife Christi Nichols vanished. What would have been of the most importance to him is that it would be unlikely that investigators would/could find her body.
Sos Global Recrutement Canada,
David Graham And Diane Zamora Now,
Dtf Urban Dictionary,
Articles C