Couple Disappears with Similarities to Gabby Petito Case
Tennessee Family Fears for Missing Woman on Cross-Country Trip with Boyfriend
A Tennessee family is anxiously waiting for news about Nikki Alcaraz, a 33-year-old woman who has gone silent while traveling across the country with her boyfriend. Her sister, Toni Alcaraz, reported that Nikki has been missing for three weeks, according to WKRN-TV.
There are chilling parallels to the 2021 case of Gabby Petito, who was found dead in Wyoming after a cross-country trip with her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, who later killed himself after confessing to her murder, as noted by media outlets.
Family seeks answers after woman disappears during cross-country trip with boyfriend https://t.co/3TFExhnF4W #Missing #NikkiAlcaraz pic.twitter.com/Z2GqzphZPX
— The Docket (@ChasingPaper89) May 29, 2023
According to KABC-TV, a woman matching Nikki Alcaraz’s description was seen in a Walmart in Redding, California, on Saturday. The woman was photographed selling her phone.
Nikki’s brother, Josh Alcaraz, believes she is in danger. “It’s not like her to not reach out to anybody, especially her kids,” he said.
Do we need more attention put on relationship violence?
Family Searches for Missing Tennessee Woman Believed to be in California
“I immediately tried calling her, and it went straight to voicemail. I sent texts that are still undelivered. She always has her phone, so that’s when it was really concerning,” said Josh Alcaraz about his sister, Nikki Alcaraz.
Family members know that Nikki Alcaraz and her boyfriend, Steven Tyler Stratton, were heading for California in a black Jeep and that things went sour in Torrance County, New Mexico.
UPDATE: this image of Nikki Alcaraz was captured at a Walmart in
Redding, California Sat. May 27th when she sold her phone at an ecoATM, according to Gen. Ray Crouch. He says they are still asking for the public’s help to locate Nikki @WKRN https://t.co/2xzCymvURR pic.twitter.com/w4dPZdD8E6— Stephanie Langston (@stephnthecity) May 30, 2023
Josh Alcaraz said his sister was beaten by her boyfriend, according to KSAZ-TV.
“He beat her up pretty badly. 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,” he said.
According to WKRN, a Torrance County Sheriff’s Office report from May 4 said Stratton claimed he was also struck and bled from his nose and mouth from the blow. No charges were filed.
At that point, Nikki Alcaraz was dropped off in Moriarty, New Mexico, where she called her sister.
“She was crying and upset. Her eye was already turning black, and you could tell she was beat up pretty bad,” Toni Alcaraz said, adding that she wished arrests had been made.
“I just feel like maybe the right steps weren’t necessarily taken,” she said.
A family friend drove to New Mexico, but Nikki Alcaraz refused a ride to California, her sister said.
“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,” she said, adding that she had not been seen for certain since May 6.
Two days later, a text came. Then nothing.
Missing Woman and Boyfriend: A Case with Chilling Parallels to Gabby Petito’s Disappearance
Nikki Alcaraz is missing after a cross country trip with her boyfriend. The couple had a run-in with cops after a fight they had. The bruises and black eye her boyfriend left her with. This case sounds too familiar and I hope she is found safe. #breaking #news #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/0v0QwIZ1xs
— Crime With Bobby (@crimewithbobby) May 30, 2023
According to KABC, a license plate reader picked up Alcaraz’s Jeep around Flagstaff, Arizona in early May.
Toni Alcaraz, Nikki’s mother, said, “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.”
Cheatham County District Attorney General Ray Crouch said his office is seeking Steven Tyler Stratton, Nikki’s boyfriend, on an unrelated arrest warrant for a probation violation connected to a theft charge.
Steven Tyler Stratton is either missing or hiding. He is the boyfriend of Nikki Alcaraz (Cunningham). This mugshot is from an arrest in 2022 for forgery and other drug related charges. They did have a run in with LE while visiting NM. A witness saw Tyler punch Nikki in the… pic.twitter.com/dvNg4zcfQ3
— Rose (@901Lulu) May 29, 2023
Updates:
- License plate reader picked up Alcaraz’s Jeep around Flagstaff, Arizona in early May.
- Cheatham County District Attorney General Ray Crouch is seeking Steven Tyler Stratton on an unrelated arrest warrant for a probation violation connected to a theft charge.
Source: The Western Journal
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