It’s one of those cases that feels like it was ripped straight out of a cold-weather noir novel. You’ve probably seen the headlines or maybe caught a rerun of 48 Hours late at night. The story of Steven Nichols Oregon and the tragic death of Rhonda Casto is a tangled mess of insurance policies, a "Supergirl" cape, and a cliffside in the Columbia River Gorge that changed everything.
Honestly, if you're looking for a simple answer to Steven Nichols Oregon where is he now, it’s a bit of a relief to find out he isn't currently sitting behind bars. But the path to his freedom was anything but straightforward. It involved years of legal gymnastics, a stint teaching English in China, and a plea deal that left almost everyone—especially the victim’s family—feeling like justice was a moving target.
The Fateful Hike at Eagle Creek
March 2009. That was the start.
Steven Nichols and his 23-year-old girlfriend, Rhonda Casto, headed out for a hike at Eagle Creek Trail. It was raining. The ground was slick. Rhonda was a mother to their infant daughter and an aspiring model. According to Nichols, she was in a playful mood, even wrapping a towel around her shoulders like a cape and jokingly calling herself "Supergirl."
Then, she fell.
Nichols told authorities she slipped and plunged 150 feet down a steep embankment. He called 911. He claimed he tried to reach her. For years, it was officially a tragic accident. But the local investigators and Rhonda’s mother, Julia Simmons, never quite bought it. Why? Well, for starters, there was a $1 million life insurance policy that Nichols had reportedly increased just months before the fall.
Money always complicates a tragedy.
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The China Years and the Secret Indictment
After the dust settled—or so he thought—Nichols didn't stick around the Pacific Northwest. He moved to China. He lived there for years, raising their daughter and working as an English teacher. To the outside world, he was just a single dad moving on with his life.
But back in Oregon, the case wasn't dead.
In 2014, a secret grand jury indicted him for murder. The authorities didn't go and grab him in China, though. They waited. In 2015, Nichols flew back into San Francisco International Airport, likely thinking he was just on a visit home. Instead, he was met by law enforcement and arrested.
He spent 14 months in jail with bail set at a staggering $2 million. His lawyer, Mike Arnold (who also famously represented Ammon Bundy), fought tooth and nail to get that bail reduced. Eventually, it dropped to $250,000, and Nichols walked out of jail to wait for his day in court.
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The Legal Turning Point: Why He Isn't in Prison
So, Steven Nichols Oregon where is he now? He’s a free man, but how did a murder charge evaporate into thin air?
It came down to a massive win in the Oregon Supreme Court. During his initial interrogation after the 2015 arrest, Nichols told detectives, "It's not something I want to talk about." The cops kept talking anyway. The court eventually ruled that this was an "equivocal invocation" of his right to remain silent. Basically, the detectives should have stopped or clarified if he wanted a lawyer.
Because they didn't, a huge chunk of his statements were tossed out.
With the evidence weakened, the prosecution offered a deal. In 2018, Nichols pleaded guilty to:
- Criminally Negligent Homicide
- Coercion
The sentence? Time served. He had already spent enough time in jail awaiting trial to satisfy the court. He was given three years of probation, which he has since completed.
Where is Steven Nichols Now?
As of 2026, Steven Nichols resides in Oregon. He has largely stayed out of the public eye since his probation ended. The "bizarre" interviews he gave to 48 Hours—where he compared himself to a soldier putting a "war buddy" out of their misery—still haunt the internet, but he isn't a prisoner.
He lives a quiet life, though the rift with Rhonda’s family remains absolute. He lost contact with his daughter after his arrest, as she was placed in the care of Rhonda’s family. The million-dollar insurance money? That ended up in a trust for the child, rather than in Nichols' pocket, following a legal battle with the insurance company.
Actionable Insights for Following Cold Cases
If you’re tracking cases like this, here is how you can stay updated on similar Oregon legal developments:
- Monitor the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD): You can use the "OECI" (Oregon eCourt Case Information) system to look up public records for any new filings or civil suits.
- Check Appellate Rulings: Many high-profile criminal cases in Oregon turn on "Article I, section 12" rights (the right against self-incrimination). Reading these rulings on the Oregon Supreme Court website gives you the "why" behind the "what."
- Follow Local Investigative Journalism: Outlets like The Oregonian or Willamette Week often provide deeper context than national true crime shows.
The story of Steven Nichols is a reminder that the legal system often prioritizes procedural rights over the narrative "closure" that victims' families crave. He remains a free man in the state of Oregon, legally cleared of murder but forever tied to that rainy day at Eagle Creek.