The final day of Tyler McCain’s preliminary hearing ended with a California judge ordering him to stand trial for the murder of his wife, Nikki McCain.

According to the Record Searchlight, Judge Thomas L. Bender said on Tuesday that the prosecution presented enough evidence during the preliminary hearing at the Shasta County Superior Court, to proceed with the murder case against McCain.

“One step closer to justice. We are so thankful for the work of the District Attorney’s office.” Nikki sister, Kaye Ford, said of the judge’s decision.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, the Redding Police Department said Nikki last spoke to her family On May 17, 2024, before someone picked her up from a home in Redding, near the Win-River Casino.

Her truck was also reported missing, but police later found it, a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche with California license plate DP154UT, on May 25, 2024, in western Tehama County, according to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office.

Shasta County authorities later reclassified Nikki’s disappearance as a homicide, and charged Tyler McCain with the murder last month.

Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said that Tyler McCain’s motive had been to keep Nikki, a mother of four, from testifying against him in a domestic abuse case.

He has pleaded not guilty. An arraignment has been scheduled for October 7.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Nikki McCain/Handout]