‘Dateline NBC’: Who killed Kelli Bordeaux? North Carolina combat soldier brutally murdered after a violent fight
ST CLOUD, MINNESOTA: Nicholas Holbert was the killer behind US medic soldier Kelli Bordeaux. He confessed to assaulting and killing her during an argument after giving her a ride home from a bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Holbert, who was a registered sex offender, admitted to hitting Kelli, assaulting her, and ultimately causing her death by beating her with a rock. He then buried her body in a wooded area near the bar where they had been.
Holbert's confession, along with evidence gathered by investigators and the efforts of private investigator David Marshburn, led to his arrest, conviction, and sentencing for Kelli Bordeaux's murder.
The Dateline NBC episode on May 19 2024, airs Kelli's story, as more chilling details from the tragic case will be revisited.
Who was Kelli Bordeaux?
Kelli Bordeaux was a vibrant and adventurous young woman who served as a Fort Bragg soldier in the US Army. Originally from St. Cloud, Florida, Kelli was described as a former high school cheerleader and beauty queen, known for her good looks and outgoing personality. Standing at just 5 feet 1 inch tall, she was a petite blonde with a tough and resilient spirit.
Despite her charming exterior, Kelli possessed a strong sense of duty and a desire to help others, which led her to pursue a career as a combat medic in the military. She joined the Army in April 2011 and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where she worked as a health service specialist.
Kelli was married to Mike Bordeaux, but their relationship faced challenges, particularly as they adjusted to military life in a new state. Eventually, they decided to take a trial break from each other, with Mike returning to Florida while Kelli remained in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
In addition to her marital struggles, Kelli was entangled in a complicated personal life. She had been having an affair with a man named Justin Thompson, unbeknownst to her husband. Despite her marital issues, Kelli remained focused on her military duties and her dreams of seeing the world.
Tragically, her life took a dark turn on the night of April 13, 2012, when she went missing after a night out at a local bar called Froggy Bottoms. The last person known to have seen her was Nicholas Holbert, a convicted sex offender who worked at the bar as a general helper.
Despite extensive search efforts and investigations by law enforcement, she remained missing for more than two years. It wasn't until private investigator David Marshburn intervened that the truth began to emerge.
Why did Kelli Bordeaux go on a ride with Nicholas Holbert?
Kelli Bordeaux went on a ride with Nicholas Holbert on the night of April 13, 2012, because he offered to give her a ride home from the bar where they had been hanging out. That night, Kelli had been at Froggy Bottoms, a local bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where Holbert worked as a general helper.
Kelli, who was excited about having fun after a hard week at Fort Bragg, didn't want to drink and drive, so she accepted Holbert's offer for a ride. She trusted him enough to agree, as they had met previously at the bar and she may have seen him as a friendly acquaintance.
However, what started as a seemingly innocent gesture turned into a nightmare. As they left the bar, Kelli's safety was compromised when Holbert's true intentions became clear. He reportedly became aggressive and violent towards her, ultimately leading to her tragic demise.
Despite warnings from others about Holbert's troubling past as a convicted sex offender, Kelli may not have been aware of the danger she was in until it was too late. Her decision to accept a ride from Holbert ultimately led to her disappearance and untimely death, leaving her loved ones devastated and searching for answers.
What did Nicholas Holbert and Kelli Bordeaux fight about?
Nicholas Holbert and Kelli Bordeaux reportedly got into a confrontation on the night of April 13, 2012, after leaving the Froggy Bottoms bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina. During their interaction, Holbert allegedly made unwanted advances towards Kelli or behaved inappropriately, which led to Kelli becoming uncomfortable or upset.
It's reported that at some point during the confrontation, Kelli may have realized that Holbert was a registered sex offender, which could have escalated the situation further.
The argument likely intensified as Kelli expressed her discomfort or anger towards Holbert's behavior. This led to a verbal altercation or even a physical confrontation between them.
Ultimately, the disagreement culminated in a violent encounter, with Holbert allegedly assaulting Kelli, knocking her unconscious, and subsequently causing her death.
When did the police find Kelli Bordeaux?
Kelli Bordeaux's remains were found on May 14 2014, in a wooded area near Froggy Bottoms bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she was known to have been on the night of her disappearance.
The search for Kelli intensified after she failed to report for duty at Fort Bragg and was reported missing by her friends, family, and Army colleagues. Law enforcement agencies, along with volunteers, conducted extensive searches in and around Fayetteville to locate her.
Private investigator David Marshburn, who had been involved in the case, played a crucial role in leading authorities to Kelli's remains. Marshburn had been building a rapport with Nicholas Holbert, and eventually convinced him to confess to killing Kelli and reveal the location of her body.
In late 2013, Marshburn, who was looking into the case accompanied Holbert to the wooded area behind Froggy Bottoms, where Holbert had buried Kelli's body. With the help of a cadaver dog, they were able to locate Kelli's shallow grave, bringing an end to the agonizing search for her.
How did private investigator David Marshburn find the murderer?
Private investigator David Marshburn played a pivotal role in uncovering the truth behind Kelli Bordeaux's disappearance and finding her murderer, Nicholas Holbert. Marshburn's investigation was marked by persistence and a deep commitment to seeking justice for Kelli and her family.
He began by building a rapport with Holbert, gaining his trust through acts of kindness and support. Marshburn then devised strategic ploys to coax information out of Holbert, including fake plea bargains and indictments, manipulating him into revealing crucial details about Kelli's fate. Using psychological pressure, Marshburn created a sense of urgency and impending consequences, instilling fear in Holbert and compelling him to cooperate.
Leveraging his investigative skills, Marshburn meticulously gathered evidence, collaborated with law enforcement agencies, and pieced together the puzzle of Kelli's disappearance.
What happened to Nicholas Holbert after Kelli Bordeaux’s death?
Holbert was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Kelli Bordeaux. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, which resulted in a life sentence. This meant that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars without the chance of parole or early release.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day