Culiacán, Mexico — Nicole Pardo Molina, the 20‑year‑old Arizona‑born social media personality known as La Nicholette, has been found alive after three harrowing days of disappearance following a reported kidnapping in broad daylight earlier this week. Mexican authorities announced her safe recovery on January 24, 2026, ending a frantic search that gripped followers on both sides of the U.S.–Mexico border.
Levantan a ‘La Nicholette’ (Nicole Pardo, 25) en Isla Musala, Culiacán. Armados en Corolla blanco. Abandonan CyberTruck lila.
— Más detalles en https://t.co/ARQgKMNMtx@Grok, ¿crimen selectivo o mensaje del narco? pic.twitter.com/j7lqrTFR0w
— El Blog del Narco (@narcoblogger) January 21, 2026
The ordeal began on the afternoon of January 20 in the upscale residential neighborhood of Isla Musala in Culiacán, Sinaloa, where Pardo Molina had been seen selling clothing and accessories. Surveillance footage from her distinctive lilac Tesla Cybertruck shows the moments before she was intercepted by armed men who disabled her vehicle, forced her out, and pushed her into another car before speeding off. That video spread quickly online and sparked fears for her safety.
Local authorities activated the Alba Protocol — a special alert system used in Mexico for missing women — as soon as her disappearance was reported. The Fiscalía General del Estado de Sinaloa issued a missing person’s bulletin and coordinated a search involving both state and federal forces. On Saturday, they confirmed she had been located alive, though officials have not released details about her condition or the circumstances of her recovery. They expressed gratitude for public help in sharing information that assisted the search.
Pardo Molina hails from Phoenix, Arizona, but frequently traveled between the U.S. and Mexico where her family and business interests are rooted. Before this week’s incident, she had built a notable online following with tens of thousands of fans on platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and OnlyFans. She also ran a boutique in Culiacán and was known locally for her bold style and her custom purple Cybertruck.
The kidnapping sparked intense speculation and concern. Videos of the attack circulated widely, showing masked individuals forcing her into a white car. Initial reporting raised the possibility that the incident might be linked to organized crime in the region, where rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel have long battled for control. Authorities were investigating all leads, though no official motive has been confirmed.
Friends and followers flooded social media with messages of hope during the search, and many expressed relief at the update that she was alive. In previous years, Pardo Molina had gained additional attention when a local band released a corrido — a traditional Mexican song — inspired by her life and social presence. Her dual life between Phoenix and Culiacán made her story resonate with a broad audience on both sides of the border.
At this point, investigators are continuing to piece together the full sequence of events leading up to her disappearance and recovery. Law enforcement has not publicly named suspects or detailed any charges. For now, the focus remains on understanding what happened during those critical days and ensuring her safety as the case moves forward.
