Nicole Baldwin

Case Information:

Nicole Baldwin, 41, disappeared on November 2, 2023, from her home in the Lancaster subdivision of Mount Dora, Florida. She was last seen by her 20‑year‑old daughter following a reported argument inside the residence.

At the time she vanished, Nicole was wearing only a pink nightgown and was barefoot, circumstances that immediately raised concern about her safety and state of mind. What began as a missing person investigation was formally reclassified as a homicide case by the Mount Dora Police Department in April 2024.

Physical Description:

Nicole is a Caucasian woman standing approximately 5’5” tall and weighing around 135 pounds, with strawberry‑blonde hair and hazel eyes. She is easily identifiable by several distinctive tattoos, including a full floral sleeve on her left arm and a single rose on her right hand.

On her upper arm, she carries a meaningful tattoo of three hearts, each containing one of her children’s initials. At the time of her disappearance, Nicole was not wearing her glasses, which she relied on for daily activities and navigation.

Circumstances of Disappearance:

On the morning she disappeared, Nicole left behind all of her essential personal belongings, including her purse, Apple Watch, cell phone, and debit cards. Her vehicle remained parked in the driveway, and she did not take the critical medication required for a chronic health condition.

Later that day, her husband, Brett Baldwin, sent a text to their daughter claiming that a man named “Matt,” or someone with a similar name, had picked her up. The complete absence of digital, financial, or medical activity since that morning has led investigators and family members to believe that Nicole did not leave the home voluntarily.

New Search Efforts:

In February 2026, investigators deployed a specialized forensic resource to the search area near the Loch Leven subdivision: a trained detection otter named Splash. Splash, a 2‑year‑old Asian small‑clawed otter, had been trained to identify chemical indicators associated with human decomposition by “tasting” trace elements in the water.

During a targeted sweep of a pond near the Baldwin residence, Splash alerted his handlers to a specific point on the pond floor. Following this alert, the Mount Dora Police Department and specialized dive teams conducted a coordinated search of the indicated area. Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether any evidence was recovered.

Marital Status:

In the months leading up to her disappearance, there were ongoing discussions about a possible separation or divorce between Nicole and her husband. Nicole had reportedly confided in her oldest daughter that she intended to move out of the family home, a plan that added strain to an already tense household environment.

This domestic friction has become a central focus for investigators as they examine the “strange dynamic” within the residence prior to November 2. As a result, Nicole’s expressed desire to leave the marriage is being considered a potential factor in the broader homicide investigation.

Person of Interest:

Police have formally identified Nicole’s husband, Brett Baldwin, as the primary person of interest in her disappearance and presumed death. Although he has not been charged with homicide, he was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in 2025 for an unrelated offense involving illicit material found on his electronic devices.

Detectives initially seized his phones as part of the missing‑person investigation, a process that ultimately uncovered thousands of illegal files. Despite his separate conviction, Brett remains central to the case as investigators continue working to obtain the physical evidence necessary to pursue homicide charges.

Investigation Challenges:

The investigation into Nicole’s disappearance has involved more than 200 search warrants and subpoenas, yet her remains have still not been recovered. Throughout the process, detectives have faced numerous challenges, including weather‑related setbacks and the naturally high water tables common to Central Florida’s pond systems.

In an effort to ensure full transparency, police have even executed search warrants at the homes of community volunteers to secure all potential information and digital evidence. Against this backdrop, the recent dive at the local pond stands as the most significant investigative development the case has seen in more than two years.

Community Outreach:

The Mount Dora community continues to hold vigils and organize searches under the “Help Find Nicole Baldwin” banner. A reward of up to $10,000 remains available for information leading to Nicole’s recovery or a conviction in her case.

Her daughter, Alisha, has been a steadfast advocate, appearing on local news to describe Nicole as a devoted mother whose life centered around her children. As a result, ongoing public awareness and community vigilance are viewed as essential to uncovering the truth about her final hours

Contact Information:

If you have any information regarding the disappearance or death of Nicole Baldwin, please contact the Mount Dora Police Department at (352) 735-7130.

Alternatively, you can provide an anonymous tip to Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS to remain eligible for the $10,000 reward. Every piece of information, regardless of how small it may seem, is critical to bringing Nicole home and achieving justice for her children.

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