The search for Nicole Pardo Molina, a well-known social media influencer from Phoenix, has intensified following alarming reports of her disappearance in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. Authorities and concerned communities are actively investigating after evidence surfaced that the 20-year-old, popularly known online as La Nicholette, may have been kidnapped.
According to an official alert issued by the Sinaloa State Attorney General’s Office under the “Protocolo Alba” safety system, Nicole’s whereabouts remain unknown, and her safety is considered at significant risk. Videos circulating on social media appear to show masked men forcibly abducting her from her purple Tesla Cybertruck in a residential neighborhood in Culiacán, thrusting her into a white vehicle. This city, known as the stronghold of the Sinaloa drug cartel, makes the situation particularly grave given its reputation as one of Mexico’s most dangerous urban areas.
Nicole Pardo Molina, a Mexican American, has ties to both Phoenix and Sinaloa, often splitting her time between the two locations. Before her disappearance, she ran a boutique situated on the corner of Indian School Road and 59th Avenue in Phoenix, although the business reportedly closed after its windows were broken, according to a local worker familiar with the area. The influencer has cultivated a large following by sharing lifestyle content across various social media platforms.
Adding complexity to the case, Nicole has been the subject of a 2023 corrido—a traditional Mexican narrative song—named “La Muchacha del Salado” (“The Lady from El Salado”) by the band Grupo Arriesgado. The song references her alleged connections and warnings about the risks she faces, though the authenticity and implications of these ties remain unclear. Locals express concern and sympathy, with some speculating on possible criminal involvement, but definitive information has yet to emerge.
Arizona authorities have been contacted regarding coordination with Mexican law enforcement, although no official updates have been released at this time. The community continues to watch closely, hoping for Nicole’s safe return.
This unfolding case highlights the dangers faced by influencers and travelers in volatile regions and underscores the ongoing challenges in cross-border investigations where crime-related violence is prevalent. As efforts to locate Nicole Pardo Molina proceed, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks present in certain parts of the world.
Anyone with information about Nicole’s disappearance is urged to contact local authorities to assist in bringing resolution to this distressing case.
