Kristi Lynn Nikle, a 19-year-old woman from Grand Forks, North Dakota, was last seen on October 2, 1996. She had a mild mental disability that gave her the cognitive abilities of a ten-year-old, although she was socially independent and well-liked. On the night of her disappearance, she reportedly attended a bingo game and won a significant amount of money. However, she never returned home, and her family reported her missing about a week later.
Initially, authorities suspected she might have left voluntarily, but as the case developed, foul play became the more likely explanation. A potential link emerged with Floyd Todd Tapson, a convicted criminal known for targeting women with developmental disabilities. Tapson was in the area around the time of Kristi's disappearance and was later implicated in several other cases involving disabled women. Kristi had mentioned having a boyfriend named "Todd," and there were reports of Tapson being seen with her shortly after she vanished. However, despite being a prime suspect, Tapson has always denied involvement in Kristi’s case.
Authorities have pursued various leads over the years, including an excavation in 2022 based on a tip that her body might have been buried at a construction site in Grand Forks, but the search yielded no results. To this day, Kristi Nikle remains missing, and her case is still considered active and unsolved. Investigators continue to search for new information that could provide answers and closure for her family.
Last Seen: Oct 02, 1996
