Her mother was found dead in a shallow grave in a San Francisco park. Her 2-year-old daughter was never found at all.
A Difficult Few Months
Nicole "Nikki" Fitts, 32, had been navigating housing instability and a strained custody situation involving another daughter in the months before she disappeared. Her youngest daughter, 2-year-old Arianna, had been in the informal care of acquaintances, Siolo Hearne and Helena Martin, at various points while Nikki worked and traveled for a separate custody matter.
Last Contact
On April 1, 2016, Nikki spent the evening with a coworker before telling her roommate she was going to meet someone nearby. She never returned. A text sent from her phone overnight claimed she was traveling to Fresno with a friend her roommate had never heard of, and a strangely worded social media post followed early the next morning. She did not show up for work in the days that followed.
Arianna had last been confirmed seen by family members in February 2016, roughly six weeks before Nikki's disappearance was reported.
The Discovery
On April 8, 2016, a gardener at John McLaren Park in San Francisco discovered Nikki's body in a shallow grave. Her death was ruled a homicide.
The Investigation
Police searched the homes of Siolo Hearne and Helena Martin but found no sign of Arianna. Hearne and Martin were named persons of interest in the case but have not been charged. Investigators noted Martin had a previous conviction related to the death of her own child's father years earlier. In 2017, police searched a vehicle believed connected to the case, though little public information about that search has followed.
Where the Case Stands
Nikki Fitts' murder remains unsolved, and no one has ever been charged. Arianna has never been found. Both the Fitts family and Nikki's employer have offered rewards for information.
FAQ
Has Arianna Fitts ever been found?
No. She has never been located, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
Has anyone been charged in Nicole Fitts' murder?
No. Two individuals have been named persons of interest, but no charges have been filed.
When was Nicole Fitts' body found?
On April 8, 2016, in San Francisco's John McLaren Park.