He stated that the day before they went to the bar, things were uncomfortable because they had not been getting along very well. He would have the known the area very well. The last time he claimed to have seen her was at 2am, when he went to sleep beside her. Scared. Diane had been doing her homework in front of the television at the time. According to Mark, he sensed a lot of anger coming from his wife. However, according to another source, it merely stated that she was planning to leave town after Christmas. The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. You can cancel at any time. When they came home, their babysitter left. He claimed that he spent the next two hours driving around town looking for her. She couldn't trust anyone for help. House dirty, he got in trouble at work or someone is upset with him and its her fault. The Nebraska State Patrol investigated the case and the family hired a private detective to no avail. In the early 2000s, DNA testing confirmed that it was hers. During her late teens, Christi moved to Gothenburg, Nebraska to leave with her paternal grandmother, Violet Williams, as she no longer wanted to follow the rules set set in place by her mother and stepfather. They learned that Christi had been seeing another man. At first, police handled the disappearance as a missing persons case, but as time progressed it evolved into suspicion of murder. She was very proud of them and loved them. Christi Jo Nichols, a 22-year-old mother of two and part-time bartender, vanished Dec. 11, 1987. She was married and had two children. Men like Markare clever, manipulative, misleading and always seem to be able to have a reason and answer for why or how something happened. At first, police handled the disappearance as a missing persons case, but as time progressed it evolved into suspicion of murder. The family of Christi Jo Nichols is hoping that someone, somewhere knows the truth about her disappearance. He felt that she ranked in the "top five" of being the most distressed, upset, and nervous of his clients. In April 1990, Mark divorced Christi. Kniss said her nieces husband lives and works in Hastings. 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. Christi was seeing another man around the time of her disappearance. The patrols cold case unit includes her in a deck of playing cards featuring photographs of homicide victims. He is the type thatsleeps with one eye open if you catch my drift. That evening, Christi and Mark hired a babysitter, Diane Janssen, and went to the local bar where Christi worked. . Although authorities suspect Christi Jo Nichols is dead, her body never has been found. Trace amounts of Christis blood were found on the floor in the bedroom and in the trunk of Marks 1977 Mercury Cougar, but there wasnt enough to indicate that she was deceased. In 1990, Mark filed for divorce on the grounds that Christi had deserted him and the kids. Where are the hotspots for buyers and sellers? She was married and had two children. 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. (LogOut/ View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Created by: Fan of the Site Added: 27 Aug 2003 She later attended a semester at college, but found it wasnt for her. Kniss said the family would like answers. 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. Often times the victim is not even allowed to shop without her abuser. 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. In fact, she had planned on coming back; when she left, she made an appointment to come back to his office the following week. 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. You do not argue, question or do something he does not approve of. Although authorities suspect Christi Jo Nichols is dead, her body never has been found. Growing up, Christi was very shy and quiet. You are using an out of date browser. Soon after, their daughter, Lindsey, was born. According to the police however contrary to what Mark said, no one in town could recall seeing Mark driving around searching for his wife that day. Mark continues to maintain his innocence in Christi's disappearance. Click here to join us. He stated that the day before they went to the bar, things were uncomfortable because they had not been getting along very well. Christi also told her cousin, Debbie Frederickson, that she had been abused by Mark. More blood was found in the trunk of Mark's car. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You have permission to edit this article. Ken initially lived in Colorado after divorcing Connie, but later moved to Gothenburg after Christis disappearance, in order to be closer to the investigation. She could not have gottenup tosneak out of the home in the middle of the night. The police cleared the man. JavaScript is disabled. I go back to her suitcase and purse. 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. Authorities stated there was not enough blood to indicate Christi was dead. She told Connie about him monitoring her phone calls, and her cousin, Debra Frederickson, would later reveal that Christi had shown her a bruise on her side, which she said was the result of Mark hitting her. It is not known if either area was ever searched. After this, he tossed her onto their waterbed in self-defence and she landed on her hand, injuring her thumb. AGB Search will be paid an estimated $115,000, according to the contract. 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. She said that she was having problems with him and that he had beaten her. It was to throw the investigation off of his trail because he felt investigators were still looking in his direction or to ensure that whatever move Mark made at the time would not be noticed because investigative efforts would be thrown into trying to determine when Christi Jos items were left at the rest-stop, by whom and why. Sometimes just having a will doesnt always pave the way, time, effort and being relentless does however make all the difference. While she was young, her parents divorced, with Connie later marrying a man named Greg Stanley. She was doing her homework in front of the television and did not remember seeing Christi. Christi Jo Nichols isn't the only missing person in the state who authorities believe to be dead. Christi was in an abusive relationship and had been treated in an emergency room for injuries weeks before she disappeared. Images also acquired from CharleyProject.org, directly from the clients of Unfound Podcast or created by Unfound. Find out with these charts and graphs, updated weekly. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Although authorities suspect Christi Jo Nichols is dead, her body never has been found. It is not known what Christi's state of mind was when she left Claude's office. Video of Christi Jo Nichols for fans of Unsolved Mysteries. A mother disappears during an evening out with her husband. 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. It appeared to them that whoever had previously had the items had wanted them to be found. Mark gave himself away the very moment that he told investigators what Christi Jo packed and took with her, he put the cherry on top when he told investigators what she had in her purse. According to Diane, Mark arrived home between 12:30 and 1am. 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. 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. 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. Kniss said there was circumstantial evidence, including blood spots found in the couples bedroom and in a car trunk. Currently, the case is classified as a homicide and foul play is suspected. Nichols was first reported missing by her family on August 6. Police believe she was seeing another man at the time of her disappearance. Mark claims the last time he saw Christi Jo was 2am December 11, 1987. 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. 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. What is interesting about this is that officers were a little dumbfounded by the fact that Mark knew exactly what she had packed and he knew exactly what was in her purse. When he spoke with police, Mark told them that Christi had only taken a purse and suitcase with her. Not the co-dependent type, who ended up in an abusive relationship where they abuse each other. This case has since stalled. He claimed that she threatened to divorce him several times before her disappearance. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. 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. Killers like this typically, unless they are on a planned trip with the spouse, dont travel great distances to kill, they kill in one area, generally close to or at home and travel away from home but not to far, to dispose of the body. Toward the end of 1987, Mark took a polygraph test, but the results are said to have been inconclusive. Since Christi vanished, no one, relatives or friends, have had any contact with her. In March 1988, three months after Christi's disappearance, her suitcase and purse were discovered in a roadside rest area thirty miles west of Gothenburg. He now lives in Arkansas with his third wife. Her ears are pierced. 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. Everyday is a day lived in constant fear of what the victim might be capable of being able to do wrong so as to displease her abuser. What would have been of the most importance to him is that it would be unlikely that investigators would/could find her body. 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. Nichols's ears are pierced. 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. She is described as a quiet, very shy woman and a dedicated mother. Despite being alarmed at his wifes sudden disappearance, Mark acted calm when her mother called around 9:30am that morning, saying Christi was still asleep in bed. Her mother, Connie, remembered that she was a good student and was well-liked. 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. Kniss said Lindsey, now 27, lives in Georgia and Preston, now 26, works in Lexington. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Dead. (LogOut/ Its important to know that quite a few individuals knew Christi Jo was being abused by Mark and that the relationship was in trouble. 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. Christi was described as very shy, quiet and smart when she was growing up. The case was featured on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries, which prompted 150 calls to the shows telecenter and 15 more to the Nebraska State Patrol. Date: December 11, 1987, Occupation: Bartender at Pete's Lounge Her husband totally did it but how can following a trail or trails from the rest area back to an unknown murder scene prove it? He was convinced that the abuse did happen. He said he spent two hours driving around in the area, looking for her, but never saw her. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. See more. . According to Mark, he did this, so as to not worry Connie. When a neighbor is in trouble, it becomes everybody's business. Christi once had to go to the hospital emergency room for injuries allegedly caused by Mark. 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. According to Mark, the pair had gotten into an argument after hed asked her to stay home for the night, which resulted in Christi hitting and kicking him and burning his neck with a lit cigarette. While Mark tried to tell them it was menstrual blood, later DNA analysis would prove this statement to be false. Townspeople speculated that her body was buried in the local railroad overpass or entombed in some other construction project or rural area. However, she was worried about supporting herself, as she didnt have any money of her own. Lab tests confirmed that it was in her handwriting. Suspects: The police consider Mark the prime suspect in Christi's disappearance. Help us add more information to this case. Although authorities suspect Christi Jo Nichols is dead, her body never has been found. He either drove around with her body, including back to his home with her that night or stashed her in a temporary location until he could figure out where to actually put her and when. As such, her family spearheaded the search for her, distributing posters and asking people to call in with any information as to her whereabouts. Injured. When you look someone like this in the eye you can literally see them forming the answers before you can even finish thinking of the next question. Living with this type of individual is risky for any partner because the abusermust be in control of everything. Connie was aware that something wasnt quite right in regards to her daughters marriage, but she would later state she hadnt realized just how bad it was, and Marks uncle, who owned the bar where Christi worked part-time, could sense the stress between the couple. No other trace of Christi has ever been found. Mark was in the hallway nearby during her visit; Carol was not sure if him being there was reassuring for her or not. They laughed and had an enjoyable time. Unfortunately it was not enough blood that would indicate serious enough bodily injury so as to obtain a warrant for Marks arrest let alone have a trial and convict him of anything. For this reason, the Nebraska State Patrol was called in. Christi Jo Nichols is the queen of hearts. In 1983, she graduated from Overton High School. Truthfully he always had an idea of where hed stash a body he just needed to be able to do it at the right time so as not to get caught. After that, they were sent to live with him. Upon moving to Gothenburg, Christi met Mark Nichols, the man who would eventually become her husband. She made a follow-up appointment but never made it. Trace amounts of Christi's blood were found on the floor of her bedroom, and in the trunk of Mark's 1977 Mercury Cougar. On December 10, the day after the meeting, she and Mark went Christmas shopping with Lindsey and Preston. Christi and Mark left the bar around midnight and drove to an all-night convenience store. On December 9, two days before Christi vanished, she went to an attorney to begin divorce proceedings. | Arctic Arkansas, How bad will winter be this year? Christi has never been heard from again. He claimed that he said that because he did not know who was calling. Mark is the only suspect in her case. At the time of her disappearance, she stood at 59 and weighed approximately 120 pounds. There are rumors in Gothenburg that say he is responsible for her disappearance. He was interviewed by police and has been ruled out as a suspect. 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. In addition, Brown County officials suspected McGinn in the rape-murder of 12-year-old Sherri Newman. At 7:00 a.m., the children woke up Mark and he realized Christi was missing. As the police investigated, they began to uncover evidence that the Nichols' marriage was in trouble. In 1987, the pairs marital problems began to escalate, as Mark was allegedly physically abusive toward Christi. He giggled as he stated something along the lines They actually went up and searched the area. *I personally never viewed the episode myself.*. To this day no trace of her has been found and no one has ever been charged in her disappearance. He felt that she was having a good attitude about herself, and that there was a lot of laughing and carrying on between them. Terry noted that if Christi left Mark, he would not have been able to look through the closet and say what she had taken. Officers seemed to feel they were left on purpose, that whoever left them wanted them found. Authorities believe she was seeing another man at the time of her disappearance. A few weeks later, he boxed up all of her clothes and sold both of their cars. 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. It is uncharacteristic of her to abandon her children. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. They have all of the answers regardless of whether or not they have been asked the questions. She also did not pick up her last paycheck. Ten days before her disappearance, she had gone to a local hospital for treatment of an injury she received during a fight with Mark. According to Mark, the pair had a good time that night. I would not be surprised one bit if in looking back at around March 1988, in Marks life something was amiss or going on. Distinguishing CharacteristicsCaucasian female. By the next day, Christi Jo Nichols would be a . The children woke Mark up at around 7:00am. Let us know all the details about yourself and send us a message. He claimed that he tossed her onto the waterbed and she landed wrong, twisting her thumb underneath her. 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A few minutes later, she had a social worker call the house. 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. In short, he already knew long before he killed her, that he was going to kill her should she try to leave the relationship. Within days of her disappearance, he had moved out of their house, sold both their cars, and boxed up her clothes. Please contact about missing person cases, press inquiries and speaking engagementsImages subject to fair use allowance. Authorities stated it looked as if whoever placed them there had wanted them to be found. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. Carol also felt that she was not telling her everything about the cause of the injury. Mark knew his wife was gone already because he told investigators that when the children woke him, he noticed that noticed Christi Jo was gone. I would love to get more attention for her case. Authorities stated there was not enough blood to indicate Christi was dead. Christi Jo Willliams (Nichols) was last seen alive Dec. 10, 1987, when she left her children at home with a babysitter for an evening out with her husband, Mark. That gave Mark ample time to plan the proper disposal of his wife. The area surrounding Gothenburg has been searched extensively. The doctor on duty, Dr. Carol Shackleton, saw her and noted how scared she seemed to be of Mark, speaking low and refusing to make eye contact, as he was just outside the door. He knew that she needed help. I was able to speak to townspeople as well as her family for more details. Diane was surprised that they were going out because she knew that they were not getting along. He claimed that when Lindsey and Preston woke him up at around 7am the next morning, she was not in the bed. Kniss has devoted her life to keeping the search for the killer alive. 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. 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. They also hired a private detective named Dennis Whelan, who was given access to Christi and Marks home, where he uncovered blood under the laundry basket in the bedroom.
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