Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico, January 23, 2026
Mexican authorities are on the hunt for Nicole Pardo Molina, a social media influencer from Phoenix who was abducted in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The incident, involving three armed men, occurred outside a shopping plaza while Molina was driving her lilac Tesla Cybertruck. Surveillance footage shows the dramatic moments leading to her kidnapping. Authorities have activated the ‘Protocolo Alba’ alert system and are investigating various leads, as concerns grow over violence against public figures in Mexico.
Phoenix
Mexican authorities are actively searching for Nicole Pardo Molina, a 20-year-old social media influencer from Phoenix, Arizona, who was reportedly kidnapped in broad daylight on January 20, 2026, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. The incident, which occurred outside a shopping plaza, involved three armed men who forcibly removed her from her distinctive lilac Tesla Cybertruck.
Details of the Disappearance
The abduction took place around 5 p.m. local time in the upscale Isla Musala neighborhood of Culiacán. Surveillance footage captured the alarming events, showing armed individuals in a white sedan intercepting Molina’s vehicle. Reports indicate the attackers used tire spikes to disable her Cybertruck. Molina, known online as “La Nicholette,” was seen attempting to resist, struggling to close a car door and return to her own vehicle, but she was ultimately overpowered and forced into the back seat of the assailants’ car before they sped away.
Investigation and Search Efforts (State-level)
Mexican authorities have launched an official search for Molina and have activated the “Protocolo Alba” alert system, which is a protocol used in cases involving missing women whose safety is considered to be at risk. Both police and the Mexican army have been deployed to the area as part of the ongoing investigation. The Sinaloa State Attorney General’s Office issued a missing person alert, confirming she was last seen on January 20 in the Isla Musala neighborhood of Culiacán. Federal authorities are investigating various leads, including online speculation pointing to the Los Mayos faction as potential perpetrators. However, investigators have not released details about possible motives or suspects, and Molina’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Background of the Influencer
Nicole Pardo Molina, aged 20, is a prominent figure on social media platforms, boasting over 320,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, YouTube, and Snapchat. Born and raised in the United States, Molina holds both U.S. and Mexican citizenship. Her parents reside in Phoenix, Arizona, and she frequently travels between the U.S. and Mexico. Her visibility in Culiacán was enhanced by her distinctive lilac Tesla Cybertruck and the ownership of a jewelry business and a hat-and-clothing shop located within the same shopping plaza where the kidnapping occurred.
Molina gained local recognition after commissioning a personalized corrido, a traditional narrative ballad, which significantly raised her public profile in Mexico. Some of her merchandise and social media content has reportedly featured imagery linked to cartel figures, such as Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, with some posts referencing “the man with the hat,” a nickname associated with Zambada. Despite these associations, Mexican authorities have not confirmed any direct links between Molina and organized crime, treating such connections as speculation.
Broader Concerns (State-level)
Molina’s disappearance has intensified concerns about the growing violence against public figures and influencers in parts of Mexico. The incident highlights a troubling trend in Sinaloa, where official figures indicate hundreds of women were reported kidnapped or missing in 2025 alone. The case continues to stir anxieties within both Mexican and U.S. communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the missing influencer?
The missing influencer is Nicole Pardo Molina, also known as “La Nicholette.”
Where and when was Nicole Pardo Molina last seen?
Nicole Pardo Molina was last seen on January 20, 2026, around 5 p.m. local time, in the Isla Musala neighborhood of Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
What are authorities doing to find her?
Mexican authorities have launched an official search, activating the “Protocolo Alba” alert system, and have deployed police and the Mexican army to the area. Federal authorities are also investigating various leads, including a line of inquiry into Los Mayos as alleged perpetrators.
What kind of vehicle was she driving?
She was driving a distinctive lilac Tesla Cybertruck.
Has there been any confirmation of her links to organized crime?
Mexican authorities have not confirmed any direct links between Molina and organized crime, treating such connections as speculation.
Key Details of the Disappearance
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Name of Influencer | Nicole Pardo Molina (“La Nicholette”) | Individual |
| Age | 20 years old | Individual |
| Origin City | Phoenix, Arizona, USA | City-level (USA) |
| Location of Disappearance | Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico | City-level (Mexico) |
| Date of Disappearance | January 20, 2026 | Specific Event |
| Time of Disappearance | Around 5 p.m. local time | Specific Event |
| Vehicle Involved | Lilac Tesla Cybertruck | Specific Event |
| Assailants | Three armed men | Specific Event |
| Current Status | Missing, investigation ongoing | Ongoing |
| Authority Involved in Search | Mexican authorities (police, army), Sinaloa State Attorney General’s Office | State-level (Mexico) |
| Alert System Activated | “Protocolo Alba” | State-level (Mexico) |
| Broader Context | Growing violence against public figures and influencers, hundreds of women missing/kidnapped in Sinaloa in 2025. | State-level (Mexico) |
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