2 years after Nikki Anderson vanished in Minnesota, her sister's quest for answers continues

Twenty-four months after Nikki Anderson disappeared without a trace from her Randolph Township home in Dakota County, Minnesota. The last known footage of Anderson shows her leaving her residence.

Her family said they are still searching for answers and refusing to give up hope.

Anderson's sister, Autumn Lehrke, said she's left with no answers and plenty of questions.

"She is just a beautiful, kind, sweet person," Lehrke said. "Our mother just passed away on Christmas Day, never finding answers to knowing what happened to her daughter."  

Anderson, who was 56 when she went missing from her home on July 6, 2024, had been undergoing chemotherapy, fighting a two-year battle with breast cancer. Investigators say she left behind her phone, wallet, glasses and medications.

Lehrke believes Anderson was abducted, although investigators with the Dakota County Sheriff's office said they have found no evidence to support that conclusion.

Shortly after Anderson's disappearance, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the home of her ex-boyfriend.  

Frustrated by what she views as limited progress, Lehrke hired private investigator Tom Tracy to help uncover clues.  

"The information that I received primarily was just by going down and interviewing. I probably interviewed 50 people," Tracy said.

Through Tracy's work, Lehrke says they've uncovered several new locations to search. Community members continue to submit tips, but some information has not been fully pursued, according to Lehrke.

"Most of them feel like they didn't get calls back, or if they did get a call back their information was dismissed," Lehrke said.

Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko said the case has remained a top priority for investigators. According to the sheriff, investigators have followed up on more than 240 tips since Anderson vanished.

"It's been a top priority for us in the last two years," Leko said. "Those tips are received. They're not falling on deaf ears. We are following up with every single one of them. Some of them lead us to nowhere. Some of them might be a part of the puzzle."

He says they've investigated more than 240 tips over the past two years.

"I think they're doing a good job," Tracy said. "I just think that they're kind of hesitant to use some of the information I've provided."

Lehrke said she remains determined to keep her sister's story in the public eye and continue searching for answers.

"Hopefully we can find her this summer," Lehrke said.

The sheriff's office is offering up to $50,000 as a reward for information on Anderson's case. Anyone with information is asked to call its tip line at 651-564-9097, or submit a tip here.