Homicide of Nikole Bakoles

Nikole "Niki" Kistina Bakoles, also known during the period she was unidentified as Saltair Sally, was a 20-year-old woman whose remains were discovered near Salt Lake City, Utah, in October 2000. Although her identity was confirmed in 2012, her death remains an unsolved case.

Background

Nikole Bakoles was born on August 23, 1980, in Washington State. In 1998, she moved to Utah with her boyfriend, Joel Chaudoin, and the couple had a daughter. However, after losing custody of their child, Bakoles' communication with her family became infrequent and eventually ceased in 2000. She was last seen on March 15, 2000, following an argument with Chaudoin, who later reported that he had not seen her after the argument. Her family officially reported her missing in 2003 after losing contact with her.

In the time leading up to her disappearance, Bakoles allegedly faced several challenges, including legal issues related to drug use and shoplifting, and she was reportedly being evicted from her apartment. These difficulties occurred around the same time that she lost custody of her daughter.

Discovery and identification

On October 8, 2000, duck hunters found skeletal remains in a field near the I-80 frontage road, about 1.5 miles east of the Saltair, a concert venue near the Great Salt Lake. The remains included 26 bones, a purple beaded necklace, an oversized T-shirt, and a skull with waist-length hair. Scavenging animals had scattered the bones, complicating the identification process.

Before the remains were identified, authorities and the media referred to the victim as "Saltair Sally" due to the proximity of the discovery to the Saltair venue and the inability to determine her identity. This nickname was used for nearly twelve years until the remains were identified as those of Nikole Bakoles in August 2012, through DNA analysis and isotope testing.

Current status

After the identification of her remains in 2012, Bakoles' family traveled to Salt Lake City to recover her remains and bring them back to Washington State for burial. Although her identity was confirmed, the cause of her death remains unclear, and the case is classified as an unsolved homicide.

Law enforcement has indicated that they believe foul play was involved in Bakoles' death, noting that the remote location where her body was found suggests it may have been a deliberate act. Although the investigation remains active, no suspects have been officially named.

Legacy

The story of Nikole Bakoles or "Saltair Sally," has become part of local folklore surrounding the Great Salt Lake. Some individuals have reported seeing her ghost near the southern shores of the Great Salt Lake.

The television series Ghost Adventures featured an episode titled "The Great Saltair Curse," which aired on July 22, 2021. The episode focused on the Great Saltair, a century-old music venue near the Great Salt Lake, and explored local beliefs that the venue and surrounding land might be haunted by the spirit of "Saltair Sally” and other alleged ghosts.