To say that Nikki was special is obvious to anybody who met her or read her. What might be less obvious is the unrelenting way in which she attacked her work and made the jobs of everybody around her that much easier. She certainly had done that for me while working for two years as contributing dining editor here at Scene (and before that at Fresh Water Cleveland).
From the start, she maintained a level of professionalism well beyond her years and experience. Not only do so many aspiring writers fail to deliver on the basics, a good many of them fail to deliver at all, petering out after a few weeks or months when the bloom of a position that appeared so glamorous has faded.
The truth of the matter is that people so very often let you down. Not only did Nikki never let me down, I’m pretty certain she rarely let anybody else down.
She was curious and kind, an exceedingly talented and natural storyteller brimming with empathy that shone through in the stories that she told and in the friendships and relationships she built. She said yes, to new experiences, to new people, to new places, to new stories, to every single dog and cat, and in doing so became an intrinsic and universally beloved part of our lives. She was special, and the clearest way to confirm that was how she made everyone she came in contact with feel that way about themselves.
In 2016, she very deservedly landed a fulltime gig at Cleveland.com, which was a “chance to tell stories about so many Clevelanders that make me really proud to live here.”
That pride was reciprocated.
The outpouring of condolences and grief in just the few hours since word of the tragic news spread this morning is a testament to her life, one ended far, far too soon. There are no words, at least none up to the task, to describe what has been taken from Cleveland in this senseless act of gun violence. If they existed, we’d need Nikki to find them.
This article appears in Nov 7-13, 2018.
Thanks Doug, this is a nice remembrance.
When will this SENSELESS gun violence end? Why do criminals – killers – murderers – get protection from the NRA and idiotic politicians with their back asswards interpretation of the 2nd amedment, and GOOD PEOPLE who abide by the laws and contribute to society – have to bear the brunt of the killing with guns?
NO – it is not fair – NO it is time for action – NO more senseless gun violence!
. Happens so often now. The forst thing I thought of was a robbery…or that perhaps her uncle was shady and someone came looking for him, and his niece was unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time–and lost her life along with her uncle. She had a bright future ahead of her, which has been cut short. Unspeakably sad. What a waste of youth and talent. Cleveland lost a rising star on Sunday.
What was her uncle’s name? Who might’ve wanted him dead?
It happened near Toledo. Perhaps the Toledo media will be uncovering more facts and the Cleveland stations and other media will be picking up their stories and revealing information.
As of yesterday, none of our local TV news outlets were giving out his name or age. One of the TV stations even said “Investigators are investigating”…well, yeah…that’s what investigators do.
There are probably police detectives who know something, but they’re not going to be saying much. It’s early yet. That’s how these things work.
But regardless of the circumstances, this isn’t just a damn shame, it’s a very tragic loss. For so many.
Another media outlet is reporting Nikki had several gunshot wounds, while the uncle died from a single gunshot sound. A conclusion may be able to be drawn from that.
Media reports said that the uncle had no criminal record. Might have been dealing, under the radar, and pissed someone off. Or been targeted for any number of other reasons. Perhaps she was just unlucky.
Murder-suicide is a stronger possibility, given the evidence found. Information will probably be forthcoming soon. She hadn’t seen her uncle for a long time. People change over time…not always for the better.
Didn’t want to say it, but I think your signature line says it all.
Unlucky, all right.
Tried to reconnect with her uncle, who killed her, and then killed himself.
Sad story.