Nicholas disappeared on February 23, 1991, from Las Cruces, New Mexico with his mother, Edyth Warner. They were living in University Park, the student housing section of New Mexico State University, at the time with Edyth's second husband, Henry Warner, and their son Andrew. Nicholas is Edyth's child from her previous marriage. Edyth reportedly asked for a divorce in February. On February 21, Edyth told her art instructor she would be back in a few hours. She did not return, however, and Nicholas did not attend school the next day. In 2008, police stated they believe foul play was involved in Edyth and Nicholas's cases. Edyth and Nicholas's cases remain unsolved.