In the late spring of 2014, concern began to grow for 36-year-old Nichole 'Nikki' Burgess, a resident of Nashville, Tennessee. The last time anyone had contact with her was on the afternoon of Friday, May 23, when she sent a text message to a friend. She had plans to be in Sparta, Tennessee, the following day but never arrived. When friends were unable to reach her, they went to her home on Oak Vale Drive to check on her.
What they found was unsettling; Nichole's car was still parked in the driveway with her purse inside, and her two beloved dogs were running loose in the house, which was uncharacteristically messy. The dogs appeared to have been left without food or water for some time. This was highly out of character for Nichole, who was known for keeping a tidy home and for her devotion to her pets. Her friends reported her missing to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department on May 25, 2014.
As the investigation into Nichole's disappearance began, a disturbing picture started to emerge. Neighbors reported seeing an unfamiliar car in her driveway during the weekend she vanished. One close friend of Nichole's told authorities they witnessed two people carrying something heavy from the back of her house in the early morning hours of May 24. One of these individuals was recognized as Caleb Cannon, the father of Nichole's young son. The last text message Nichole sent on May 23rd mentioned that she was with Cannon and that they were arguing. The investigation soon uncovered more chilling details. The couple's then-10-year-old son told a friend that he might not see his mother anymore because she was 'probably dead' and that he believed his father had killed her. This, along with other evidence, quickly made Caleb Cannon a person of interest.
The focus of the investigation intensified on Caleb Cannon. Investigators brought in cadaver dogs to search Nichole's home, and the dogs detected the scent of human remains. A search of her home also uncovered empty bottles of cleaning fluid, bloodstained bedding, and brass knuckles. Authorities in Anderson County located Cannon's vehicle, and cadaver dogs also alerted to the scent of human remains in the trunk of his car. Based on the evidence gathered, investigators came to believe that Cannon had murdered Nichole in her home and then used his car to transport and dispose of her body. In October 2015, Caleb Cannon was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to Nichole's disappearance. He was tried in May 2017, where his own son testified against him. After a trial, the jury found Caleb Cannon guilty of murdering Nichole Burgess, and he was sentenced to life in prison. Despite the conviction, Nichole's body has never been recovered, leaving her family without a final resting place for their loved one. The case is a heartbreaking example of a life cut short by domestic violence, and though the perpetrator was brought to justice, the lingering question of her whereabouts remains.Last Seen: May 23, 2014
