'Loved by everyone'

SANDUSKY — Two weeks after the death of her beloved sister, Amy Davis is still grieving and still processing the tragic circumstances that took Tami Nickles from her family forever. Tami Nickles "She was a beautiful person inside and out," Davis told the Register on Friday. "She was kind and funny, direct and really loved by everyone." Tami was a positive person all the time, Davis said. Even when she was having personal difficulties, she always encouraged others. "She pushed herself and all her friends to be the best version of themselves." Tami, 48, was shot and killed on May 5 inside a home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she was scheduled to go to pick up her three dogs. Robert "Bob" Nizzardini, 57, of Oshtemo Township, Michigan, is charged with murder, felony firearm and domestic violence charges, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Michigan's 8th District Court. Nizzardini pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on May 8. "It is clear from the investigation that Robert had the motive, means and opportunity to murder Tami Nickles," the affidavit states. Davis said her sister went to the home at around 11 a.m. that day with a police officer. Tami had arranged to pick up her dogs. Nizzardini did not answer the door, however, when they were there in the morning. Davis, who lives in Kansas City, Kansas, said she called Tami repeatedly and texted her later that day but wasn't getting any response. By the afternoon, she grew so concerned she called the local police on a non-emergency line. "I told them, 'My sister's in danger. You need to go to this address,'" she said. Police did go there. But there was still no answer at the door. It took some time to get a search warrant, and it wasn't until much later that day before they were able to enter the home and find Tami's body. "We don't know why she went back or when exactly," Davis said. Nizzardini was located not long afterward and arrested. According to the court affidavit, he admitted to killing Tami and led authorities to where he tossed the weapon. In memory Her family is devastated. Tami, a 1992 Sandusky High School graduate, was deeply loved by everyone who knew her, Davis said. Her high school classmates have provided the family with a lot of much-needed support and organized the wake for Tami. The outpouring of support from people here in the Sandusky area and in Perrysburg and Kalamazoo is a testament to how much people gravitated toward her sister, how much she was loved, Davis said. "Even a FedEx driver in Michigan posted (condolences), saying she delivered Chewy (pet supplies) packages to Tami and was so saddened to learn what happened," Davis said. Tami loved and was devoted to her family and adored her three nephews "completely and unconditionally," Davis said. Her love for animals was also a driving part of her life and was mentioned in her obituary. "She fiercely advocated for animals and spent a great deal of time teaching others how to properly care for their pets. Tami probably rescued more animals than Steve Irwin. "If you knew Tami, you certainly knew that she loved to be in charge. Tami was a leader in everything she did. She was an avid chef, always heading up the Thanksgiving production. She earned praise every year for bringing her bottomless meal together on time. Tami also shopped till she dropped to take care of her people. If you were with Tami, you never went without. She was always prepared for everything and never missed the opportunity to care for her circle. The world was a better place thanks to Tami's really big circle." Tami Nickles earned a bachelor's degree in business and an master of business administration in marketing from the University of Toledo. She was a fitness fanatic and worked with local gyms in the Perrysburg area, where she lived for many years, and in Kalamazoo, where she lived for the last three years. She is survived by her father, David Nickles; stepmother, Vanessa (Luzader) Nickles; brothers, Charlie and Mark; sisters, Dawn and Amy; nephews, Nathan, Connor and Jake; and her many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.