OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A man has been charged in connection to a homicide in Oshtemo Township late last week.
The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) says 48-year-old Tami Nickles died as a result of foul play Friday, May 5 near KI Avenue and Autumns Way Boulevard.
Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) say KCSO reached out to them for assistance in tracking down a kidnapping suspect after their phone pinged at a Pleasant Plains Township intersection. The suspect’s car was found outside a home along South Ida Drive.
We’re told KCSO then notified LCSO that the kidnapping victim was found dead.
Authorities say the Newaygo Area Emergency Response Team arrived and negotiated with the suspect, after which two men left the home.
The primary suspect, identified as 57-year-old Robert Nizzardini, and another man were subsequently arrested, according to KCSO. Nizzardini was charged with open murder, domestic assault and felony firearm.
Lake County deputies say the other man was released from custody, saying he wasn’t involved.
Nizzardini is currently lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail where he will await a probable cause conference scheduled for Thursday, May 18.
This will be followed by an examination hearing on Thursday, May 25.
LCSO credits KCSO, dispatchers, Michigan State Police and the Newaygo Area Emergency Response Team for their assistance.
