Tami Sue Nickles was a 48-year-old White woman from Kalamazoo, Michigan, known for her passion and leadership. Her family described her as a person who loved animals and always took the opportunity to care for those she loved most. Among her greatest loves were her three pugs, Zoey, Draymond, and Bella.
On Friday, May 5, 2023, Tami went to the home of her ex-boyfriend, Robert Nizzardini, in Oshtemo Township to pick up her dogs.
The two were in the midst of what court documents described as a "contentious break-up." Just one day before her visit, Tami had reported being afraid of Nizzardini and told others he was stalking her. She was later found deceased inside his garage. An investigation determined her death was a homicide caused by a single gunshot wound.
Authorities quickly identified Robert Nizzardini, then 57, as the suspect. His location was traced to Pleasant Plains Township in Lake County, where multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in his capture. After negotiations, Nizzardini was taken into custody. According to court records, he admitted the following day that he had shot Tami with a shotgun during a struggle. He then led detectives to a swamp near Baldwin where he had discarded the weapon.
Nizzardini was charged with open murder, felony firearm, and domestic violence. He was held in custody without bond and waived his right to a preliminary examination, which sent his case to the circuit court for a jury trial.
Robert Nizzardini was tried for the killing of Tami Nickles. In May 2025, a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder. He was sentenced for the crime in June 2025.
