NM NIKKI ALCARAZ: Missing from road trip with boyfriend from Tennessee ; last seen in New Mexico - 6 May 2023 - Age 33 *Found Safe*

Tennessee woman goes missing during cross-country trip with boyfriend

The fear over Nikki’s disappearance has been heightened by some eerie similarities to the high-profile Gabby Petito case.

kfor.com

Tennessee woman goes missing during cross-country trip with boyfriend​

A Tennessee family is desperately trying to find their loved one after they say she disappeared while traveling across the country with her boyfriend, who is currently wanted on an unrelated arrest warrant.

Toni Alcaraz last spoke with her 33-year-old sister, Nikki Alcaraz, also known as Nikki Cunningham, three weeks ago.

Nikki had set out in her black Jeep with her boyfriend, Tyler Stratton, and a dog to visit family in Orange County, California.

“I talk to her almost every day, so I am scared something happened to them,” said Toni. “It’s a trip she’s done hundreds of times. Our uncle is still in Southern California, and she goes to see him often.”

During their cross-country trip, the couple had a run-in with law enforcement in Torrance County, New Mexico. According to a Torrance County Sheriff’s Office report from May 4, a witness saw Stratton punch Nikki in the face. The report went on to say that Stratton claimed he was also hit, with blood coming from his mouth and nose.

Since neither one wanted to press charges, authorities said Stratton and Nikki were given rides. After Nikki was dropped off in Moriarty, Toni said Nikki called her.

“She was crying and upset. Her eye was already turning black and you could tell she was beat up pretty bad,” Toni recalled.

Shortly after the fight, Toni said a family friend drove to New Mexico, where he met up with Nikki in hopes of bringing her to California.

“That morning when they were supposed to leave, she told him that she had to go back and find Tyler because she had a bad feeling, and so he left without her,” Toni explained.

Toni believes that friend was the last person to see her sister on May 6.

However, Nikki did communicate with Toni via text two days later, on May 8, saying she was in Arizona with plans to complete the trip to California.

“Then I didn’t hear anything else after that Monday morning,” Toni said.

Nikki’s phone now appears to be out of service, leaving her family fearing the worst.

“I don’t think she is dead out there somewhere, but it’s all a possibility at this point, and I am really scared of that, but I’m praying that’s not the case,” Toni said, adding that Nikki has two children in Cheatham County.


MEDIA - NIKKI ALCARAZ: Missing from road trip with boyfriend from Tennessee ; last seen in New Mexico - 6 May 2023 - Age 33

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

'We don’t know what to do': Family searching for missing Tennessee woman believed to be in Arizona

"We don't know what to do," said the brother of a Tennessee woman who hasn't been seen or heard from since early May. The woman, 33-year-old Nikki Alcaraz, is also known as Nikki Cunningham. She was last seen in a town east of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

www.fox10phoenix.com

'We don’t know what to do': Family searching for missing Tennessee woman believed to be in Arizona​

A family is working tirelessly to bring a missing Tennessee woman home, and they believe the woman could be in Arizona,

Family members of 33-year-old Nikki Alcaraz, also known as Nikki Cunningham, said they believe she is in real, immediate danger. They said it is very unlike Nikki to not call or text, as she calls members of her family every day.


Nikki was reportedly last seen at around 7:00 a.m. on May 6 at a Super 8 motel in Moriarty, New Mexico, a town about 40 miles east of Albuquerque. She had been traveling with her boyfriend, identified as Steven Tyler Stratton.

Nikki's two children were not on the trip.

Josh said Nikki and her boyfriend brought a dog along for the trip, and they were driving in a 2013 black color Jeep Wrangler with Tennessee license plates, and a ‘Mama Tried' bumper sticker.

The couple, according to Josh, were headed to Orange County, Calif. to visit family and friends, but never made it.

‘She’s done that drive so many times,’ said Josh. "She can do it in two days with her eyes closed, you know, so its really, really concerning that it's been so long."

According to Josh, things between Nikki and her boyfriend turned south in New Mexico.

"He beat her up pretty badly," said Josh. 'A truck driver had to pull him off of her, call the police, the police picked him up, took him a couple exits down and dropped him off. She was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, and a broken hand or wrist."

Josh said one of Nikki’s friends in California drove out to New Mexico to help her, but Nikki left.

"They stayed in the hotel, but the next morning, she left on a mission to find Tyler, and that is the last anybody has really heard [from her]," said Josh.

Josh says he’s scared the vehicle Nikki was in could have driven off the road, or broken down in the desert.

"We would like everybody to keep their eyes open, and if you see the Jeep, if you see him, if you see her, call somebody. Call the police," said Josh.

 

[GrandmaBear]

None of this sounds good.

WHY did she go back to him??

A traumatic brain injury??

How long had she been with him and was this the first time he beat her up????

So I take it as of this time the dog and bf are missing as well?

 

[Mel70]

This seems like a carbon copy of Brian and Gabby.

 

[Kimster]

If she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, why wasn’t she in the hospital?

 

[Guess Who]

If she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, why wasn’t she in the hospital?

A concussion is considered a TBI. It is trauma to the brain of any kind.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Tyler Stratton & Nikki Alcaraz (Cunningham): 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Nikki Alcaraz is a Tennessee woman who disappeared on May 8, 2023, while on a road trip across the country with her boyfriend Tyler Stratton.

heavy.com

Tyler Stratton & Nikki Alcaraz (Cunningham): 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know​

Tyler Stratton and Nikki Alcaraz are a Tennessee couple who disappeared on May 8, 2023, while on a road trip across the country to California.

A missing poster says that Nikki Cunningham Alcaraz was last seen on May 6, 2023, in Moriarty, New Mexico, with Tyler Stratton. “She was last seen in a black jeep Wrangler with TN plates and a ‘mama tired’ bumper sticker,” it says. “Due to history of domestic assault, we believe she is in danger. She may be located in NM, AZ or CA.” People with information are asked to contact the Moriarty Police Department at 505-832-6060.

According to ABC7, Stratton is also missing.

1. Nikki Alcaraz & Tyler Stratton Were Traveling to Orange County, California, With a Dog, Reports Say​

Alcaraz’s family told KFOR-TV that Alcaraz “disappeared while traveling across the country with her boyfriend, who is currently wanted on an unrelated arrest warrant.”

2. Tyler Stratton & Nikki Alcaraz Were Involved in a Domestic Violence Incident in New Mexico, Reports Say​

According to KFOR-TV, a report from the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico on May 4 indicates the couple was involved in a domestic incident.


On May 19, 2023, a woman named Amanda Sanders posted on Facebook, “Nikki’s plate was caught on a plate reader in Flagstaff, Arizona on the 8th. It has not been picked up on a reader since then. Potential sighting on Willow Creek Rd in Prescott AZ on 5-9.”

ABC 7 reported that “a license plate reader picked up Alcaraz’s Jeep near Flagstaff, Arizona earlier this month, but police said her phone appears to be out of service.”

3. Nikki Alcaraz & Tyler Stratton Did Not Post About Each Other in Their Public Facebook Posts​

On Facebook, Alcaraz goes by the name Nikki Cunningham. Her page says she “studied at Nashville State,” “went to Cheatham County School District,” lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and is from Whittier, California.

In 2019, she married Evan Cunninham, according to a Facebook post.

Stratton’s Facebook page says he “studied at Nashville State Community College Foundation,” and “went to Cheatham Co Central.” He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and was from Ashland City, Tennessee. He listed himself as single.

His cover photos is a graphic listing “hobo symbols.” There isn’t much else visible on his page except for a couple photos.

4. A Friend of Nikki Alcaraz Wrote, ‘I Need You to Be OK Nikki!’​

Nikki Chance Jordan wrote on Facebook, “I need you to be ok Nikki! Your family, and most importantly, your babies need you! We love you and won’t stop searching until you are found. Everyone…ANYONE…please let us know if you know anything about her whereabouts.”

5. Tyler Stratton Is Wanted on an Arrest Warrant for a Tennessee Theft Charge​

According to ABC 7, Stratton “has an unrelated arrest warrant out of Tennessee, tied to a theft charge.”

 

[GrandmaBear]

Last night I was watching a live of Lauren with Hidden True Crime who had on Brian Entin, Gigi and another reporter I think from News Nation. Brian had to leave before the others to catch a flight to cover this case. The others are aware of it too and I think most will be covering it/have already done some on it. And yes, mentioned the similarities to Petito...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Missing Tennessee woman spotted at California Walmart, deputy says

A Tennessee whose family says she disappeared while on a road trip with her boyfriend was seen at a Walmart in California over Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement said.

fox40.com

Missing Tennessee woman spotted at California Walmart, deputy says​

A Tennessee whose family says she disappeared while on a road trip with her boyfriend was seen at a Walmart in California over Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement said.

A deputy in Cheatham County, Tennessee, said Nikki Alcaraz was spotted at a Walmart in Redding, California, on Saturday. A photo was taken when she reportedly sold her phone at an ecoATM, a kiosk that offers payment in exchange for used phones, the county’s District Attorney General Ray Crouch said.

Despite the sighting, authorities are still asking for the public’s help in finding her.

 

[Guess Who]

Missing Tennessee woman spotted at California Walmart, deputy says

A Tennessee whose family says she disappeared while on a road trip with her boyfriend was seen at a Walmart in California over Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement said.

fox40.com

Missing Tennessee woman spotted at California Walmart, deputy says​

A Tennessee whose family says she disappeared while on a road trip with her boyfriend was seen at a Walmart in California over Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement said.

A deputy in Cheatham County, Tennessee, said Nikki Alcaraz was spotted at a Walmart in Redding, California, on Saturday. A photo was taken when she reportedly sold her phone at an ecoATM, a kiosk that offers payment in exchange for used phones, the county’s District Attorney General Ray Crouch said.

Despite the sighting, authorities are still asking for the public’s help in finding her.

At least it's only been days now instead of weeks of last sighting.

 

[Kimster]

Missing Tennessee woman spotted at California Walmart, deputy says

A Tennessee whose family says she disappeared while on a road trip with her boyfriend was seen at a Walmart in California over Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement said.

fox40.com

Missing Tennessee woman spotted at California Walmart, deputy says​

A Tennessee whose family says she disappeared while on a road trip with her boyfriend was seen at a Walmart in California over Memorial Day weekend, law enforcement said.

A deputy in Cheatham County, Tennessee, said Nikki Alcaraz was spotted at a Walmart in Redding, California, on Saturday. A photo was taken when she reportedly sold her phone at an ecoATM, a kiosk that offers payment in exchange for used phones, the county’s District Attorney General Ray Crouch said.

Despite the sighting, authorities are still asking for the public’s help in finding her.

She sold her phone rather than contact her family and let them know she is okay? What's going on? Is she on the run with her boyfriend?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

She sold her phone rather than contact her family and let them know she is okay? What's going on? Is she on the run with her boyfriend?

Yeah a big question now is, DID she actually meet back up with Tyler? She went "looking for him". Did she have a way to contact him? Where did HE go and who did he have contact with between the 4th and the 6th. And if they did meet back up, why did they not continue on to their original destination?

Her friend had driven from California to drive with her, but when she decided to go look for Tyler, the friend just left? Ok good luck?

Selling the phone for cash? Maybe needing money for gas/food. But again, they were going to meet family & friends, who would probably help them out, so why not continue with that plan? Maybe one or both of them were worried about what reactions they would get to the DV bruises. It's also public knowledge that he has an arrest warrant now...

 

[Guess Who]

Yeah a big question now is, DID she actually meet back up with Tyler? She went "looking for him". Did she have a way to contact him? Where did HE go and who did he have contact with between the 4th and the 6th. And if they did meet back up, why did they not continue on to their original destination?

Her friend had driven from California to drive with her, but when she decided to go look for Tyler, the friend just left? Ok good luck?

Selling the phone for cash? Maybe needing money for gas/food. But again, they were going to meet family & friends, who would probably help them out, so why not continue with that plan? Maybe one or both of them were worried about what reactions they would get to the DV bruises. It's also public knowledge that he has an arrest warrant now...

too bad the state he had a warrant out with didn't want him detained to get him back when he was stopped the last time.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Ditching the phone could be so her family couldn't contact her plus why not get a few bucks on the side. Also she maybe didn't want to be saved by whoever ran to get her and the family has had it/were insisting she get away from him and she always goes back to him.... Not knocking her just saying it is a likely scenario and all too common. She then does not continue onto the uncle's either as that is more family although she WAS sighted in California... There's a lot we don't know here and maybe the entire trip was him running from a problem... Her family says not like her and she would be in contact with them daily BUT she was seen getting rid of it... MAYBE he is controlling that BUT he didn't go get her, she went to find him...

The plus side here is there is I guess a good chance she is alive, until at least he loses it the next time... On the other hand maybe she offed him, she was the one seen... I don't think that likely but I am saying we sure don't know...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Tennessee woman who disappeared during cross-country trip found safe; boyfriend reportedly arrested

Police in Northern California said the 33-year-old Tennessee woman who was reported missing during a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend has been found safe.

abc13.com

Tennessee woman who disappeared during cross-country trip with boyfriend found safe​

A woman who went missing while on a cross-country road trip to Orange County, California, with her boyfriend has been found safe, police said Tuesday evening.

Redding police said Nikki Alcaraz was contacted by the Eureka Police Department and "found to be safe." Redding police then contaced the Moriarty, New Mexico Police Department to confirm she is no longer considered a missing person.

No further details have been released.

 

[Guess Who]

Tennessee woman who disappeared during cross-country trip found safe; boyfriend reportedly arrested

Police in Northern California said the 33-year-old Tennessee woman who was reported missing during a cross-country road trip with her boyfriend has been found safe.

abc13.com

Tennessee woman who disappeared during cross-country trip with boyfriend found safe​

A woman who went missing while on a cross-country road trip to Orange County, California, with her boyfriend has been found safe, sapolice said Tuesday evening.

Redding police said Nikki Alcaraz was contacted by the Eureka Police Department and "found to be safe." Redding police then contaced the Moriarty, New Mexico Police Department to confirm she is no longer considered a missing person.

No further details have been released.

sad that she would leave her family so worried.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Seems pretty clear she is an adult who went missing intentionally or at least quit having contact with family intentionally.

Happy she is safe but she may regret her choices one day as it may come to where she needs help and won't have any...

Cops again like in Petito made no arrests but split them up only to have them come back together.

I kind of wonder about the family friend going to get her rather than a family member. I think there's more we don't know.

If he had a warrant out for him (did he at that time?), why did a police department let him go is another question...

I'm also wondering if this trip with a dog was really just a visit or they were fleeing his warrant or feeling everyone...?

 

[Guess Who]

Seems pretty clear she is an adult who went missing intentionally or at least quit having contact with family intentionally.

Happy she is safe but she may regret her choices one day as it may come to where she needs help and won't have any...

Cops again like in Petito made no arrests but split them up only to have them come back together.

I kind of wonder about the family friend going to get her rather than a family member. I think there's more we don't know.

If he had a warrant out for him (did he at that time?), why did a police department let him go is another question...

I'm also wondering if this trip with a dog was really just a visit or they were fleeing his warrant or feeling everyone...?

I can answer the letting him go part. It usually means that the place where the warrant was from didn't want to bother with the time and expense of getting him back to their jurisdiction. It's called a non extraditable warrant. Some places have strict rules of what is and what isn't extraditable, some do it on a case by case basis.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I can answer the letting him go part. It usually means that the place where the warrant was from didn't want to bother with the time and expense of getting him back to their jurisdiction. It's called a non extraditable warrant. Some places have strict rules of what is and what isn't extraditable, some do it on a case by case basis.

Very likely. It's also IF the warrant was in place or even seen by officers responding to the DV incident. I can't recall but I've seen that happen too. Especially if the charges aren't that serious, a warrant doesn't even get issued until something else happens, etc. OR didn't come up for LE in another state....

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Apparently reports that "neither wanted to press charges" were just not true...

Bodycam shows Nikki Alcaraz begging police to arrest boyfriend before she vanished

Family of Tennessee woman say their three-week ordeal could have been avoided if she and boyfriend Tyler Stratton were taken into custody

www.independent.co.uk

Newly-released bodycam footage shows bloodied Tennessee mother Nikki Alcaraz begging New Mexico police to arrest her boyfriend before she was reported missing.

Bodycam footage released to The Independent by the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office shows Ms Alcaraz, with a swollen eye and bruising to her arm, telling officers that the pair had been drinking shots of Fireball whiskey before a violent fight broke out in her black Jeep Wrangler.

“He laid his hands on me and I want him in jail for it,” she can be heard saying.

The trucker who contacted police tells officers that he saw Mr Stratton “slap her and punch her in the face” as she was lying on the ground.

Ms Alcaraz could also be heard screaming in a 911 call, according to an incident report provided to The Independent by the sheriff’s office.

Officers can later be seen speaking to Mr Stratton, who is bleeding from the nose and mouth with his arms zip tied behind his back.

Mr Stratton says that his girlfriend had been the aggressor, striking him for no reason while he was driving.

“I’m not trying to blame anything on her... but she ended up having too much to drink,” he said, claiming that he had been “begging her to stop” hitting him.

“I’ve never seen Nikki like this before.”

The couple both appeared to be intoxicated, the incident report stated.

The officers then let the couple go, after instructing Mr Stratton not to contact Ms Alcaraz for 24 hours or he would face arrest.