Where is Nicholas Holbert now? 'Dateline NBC' revisits case of sex offender who killed US combat soldier Kelli Bordeaux
ST CLOUDS, MINNESOTA: Nicholas Holbert is currently in jail following a ruling by District Judge David Hasty. The judge ordered that Holbert be held in custody under a $250,000 bond specifically for the kidnapping charge. Additionally, Judge Hasty decreed that Holbert should be held without bond for the more serious charge of murder concerning Kelli Bordeaux's case.
Kelli Bordeaux was a 23-year-old Fort Bragg soldier whose disappearance in April 2012 shocked her community and drew national attention. A lively and determined young woman, Kelli was known for her beauty, cheerleading background, and adventurous spirit.
Her sudden vanishing after a night out at a local bar called Froggy Bottoms sparked a massive search and a complex investigation. It wasn't until two years later that private investigator David Marshburn's relentless efforts led to a breakthrough, uncovering the chilling truth about her fate and bringing her killer, Nicholas Holbert, to justice, as the case will be revisited on 'Dateline NBC'.
Who is Nicholas Holbert?
Nicholas Holbert is the man responsible for the murder of Kelli Bordeaux. At the time of the crime, Holbert was living as a homeless drifter, residing in his truck in a makeshift camp behind Froggy Bottoms, a bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He worked at the bar as a general helper.
Holbert had a troubled past, having been convicted as a sex offender for assaulting and beating a 5-year-old girl when he was 16 years old. He was known to be a predator around females of any age.
On the night of Kelli Bordeaux's disappearance in April 2012, Holbert gave her a ride home from the bar where he worked. An argument ensued between them, reportedly triggered by Kelli learning about Holbert's sex offender status. The confrontation escalated, resulting in Holbert assaulting and ultimately killing Kelli by beating her. He then buried her body in a wooded area near the bar.
Despite initially denying involvement, Holbert later confessed to the crime.
How did Nicholas Holbert meet Kelli Bordeaux?
Nicholas Holbert met Kelli Bordeaux at Froggy Bottoms, a local bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he worked as a general helper. Kelli, who was stationed at Fort Bragg, frequented the bar for drinks and socializing.
Their encounter occurred on a Friday night in April 2012 when Kelli went out to the bar after a hard week at the military base. Holbert offered to give Kelli a ride home from the bar since she wouldn't drink and drive. Kelli accepted his offer, assuming it was a friendly gesture.
However, during their interaction, the bartender at Froggy Bottoms warned Kelli about Holbert, revealing that he was a registered sex offender. Kelli was unaware of this fact until then, which likely caused tension between them.
Despite the warning, Kelli left the bar with Holbert, believing he was simply providing a ride home. However, an argument erupted between them during the journey, possibly triggered by Kelli's newfound knowledge of Holbert's criminal history.
The argument escalated, resulting in a violent confrontation that ultimately led to Kelli's tragic death at the hands of Nicholas Holbert.
How did private investigator David Marshburn prove Nicholas Holbert guilty?
Private investigator David Marshburn played a pivotal role in unraveling the truth surrounding Kelli Bordeaux's disappearance and establishing Nicholas Holbert's guilt in her murder. Marshburn's investigation involved a multifaceted approach, beginning with the establishment of rapport with Holbert.
By presenting himself as an ally seeking to clear Holbert's name and locate Kelli, Marshburn gained his trust, allowing him to delve deeper into the case. Employing psychological manipulation tactics, Marshburn strategically crafted false inducements, including fabricated legal documents, to coerce Holbert into confessing.
Surveillance techniques were also employed to instill a sense of paranoia and pressure on Holbert. Through persistent questioning and psychological pressure, Marshburn eventually elicited a confession from Holbert, leading to the discovery of Kelli's remains and the subsequent conviction of Holbert for her murder.
What sentence was announced to Nicholas Holbert?
Nicholas Holbert was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Kelli Bordeaux. This means that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars and will not be eligible for parole, ensuring that he will never be released back into society.
'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
