Homicide, child endangerment and welfare fraud suspect Nicole Thorpe pending extradition to Humboldt County

 

Nicole Thorpe booking photo and arrest courtesy Redkey Police Department.

EPD Press Release:

On December 3, 2023, the Eureka Police Department (EPD) Criminal Investigations Unit was contacted by the Arcata Police Department to assist with a missing person investigation. EPD Detectives responded and assisted with the investigation. During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned that a juvenile had not been seen by family members for an extended period of time and it was believed the child was possibly deceased, with their death being concealed by the child’s mother, Nichole Thorpe.

On December 4, 2023, EPD Detectives, in conjunction with the Humboldt County Search and Rescue Team, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, and Cal Poly Humboldt personnel, conducted a search in a remote area near Blue Lake. During the search, human remains were located. Subsequent DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to the missing child.

Following an extensive investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Nichole Thorpe on April 9, 2026, for charges including homicide, child endangerment, and welfare fraud. EPD Detectives worked in conjunction with the U.S. Marshall’s Office and local agencies in Indiana to locate Thorpe. Thorpe was subsequently located in Indiana and taken into custody on the warrant pending extradition to Humboldt County.