Nicole Nikki Winder

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Brazos County Sheriffs Office (TX)

Missing From:

Bryan, Texas

Summary:

Nicole 'Nikki' Winder, 53, was last seen on February 25, 2026, leaving a residence where she was employed in the 19000 block of FM 974 in Brazos County, Texas. Her white 2025 Chevrolet truck was discovered on fire at an oil pad site about an hour later, with the fire ruled as arson. She remains missing and is believed to be in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Nikki Winder, 53, was last seen around 3 p.m. on Feb. 25, leaving a residence where she was employed in the 19000 block of FM 974. About an hour later, the Brazos County Sheriff's Office and fire personnel responded to a vehicle fire on an oil pad site on FM 974, just north of Highway 21. The burning vehicle was later confirmed to be Winder's truck. Investigators subsequently ruled the fire an arson. Two images — both captured between approximately 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 — are considered important to the case. The images were taken in the area of FM 974 near Jack Creek Road. One shows the unidentified ATV; the other shows Winder's white 2025 Chevrolet truck with black rims. She was last seen wearing a dark grey shirt and pink pants.

Additional Details:

After deputies spoke with family and friends and determined there was concern for Nikki's safety, an alert was initiated through the Amber Alert Network Brazos Valley. A statewide CLEAR Alert was subsequently issued for Ms. Winder. Coordinated search operations were conducted along FM 974 near Aggieland Safari. Teams deployed K-9 units, drones, boats, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Air Support Unit. The Search Dog Network and Texas Search and Rescue also assisted. Both the last-seen location and the vehicle recovery site were extensively searched. Multiple agencies have joined the search, including Texas EquuSearch, a nonprofit volunteer search and recovery organization near Houston. Brazos County Crime Stoppers is offering a $6,000 reward for any information that could lead authorities to locating Winder. The Brazos County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's assistance in locating a 2014 Polaris Ranger XP 900, believed to be connected to the disappearance of Nicole "Nikki" Winder on February 25, 2026. Investigators are attempting to locate a 2014 Polaris Ranger XP 900 UTV green color, with the last four digits of the VIN being 7827. On April 15, 2026, investigators executed search warrants at two properties located in the 19000 block of FM 974. County tax records show Dustin Winder owns both properties, just under a mile apart from each other along FM 974. Public records identify Dustin Winder as Nikki Winder's brother. Jail records show Dustin Winder was arrested Wednesday morning on a warrant for soliciting prostitution. The sheriff's office said while the evidence was discovered during the course of the Nikki Winder investigation, the arrest relates to a separate criminal offense. Winder's sons, Colten and Coy, joined the community effort.

Case Last Updated:

May 15, 2026