Nathan Hightman Pleads Guilty to Three Felonies in the Disappearance of Irene Gakwa

Hightman also deleted her email account and changed bank passwords without notifying his fiance before withdrawing thousands from him and using her credit card after she disappeared in Gillette.

Irene Gakwa immigrated from Kenya in 2019 and later settled in Gillette where she attended nursing school. Unfortunately, she vanished sometime between February 2022-2023 without any explanation from her family, leading them to suspect any criminal wrongdoing as possible.

Who is Nate Hightman?

Nathan Hightman, 39, who stands accused of intellectual and financial crimes against Irene Gakwa when she vanished is now entering pleas of guilt to three felonies at his change of plea hearing on Oct 24. In this hearing he admitted transferring thousands of dollars out of her bank accounts without authorization, charging up her credit cards without her knowledge and unilaterally closing down her Gmail account without consent within days of Irene Gakwa's disappearance.

Hightman could face up to 23 years in prison and has agreed to pay restitution; his sentencing for both offenses will take place Feb. 6. Since their sister went missing in March, Kennedy Wainaina and Chris Gakwa have traveled several times from Hawaii to Gillette for legal proceedings and have attended court appearances a total of four times each time.

Hightman arrived for his change of plea hearing handcuffed and held back by a detention center guard, dressed in orange but wearing a mask to hide his facial features from view of the judge.

Hightman was represented by Dallas Lamb, who argued he should be released on bond due to being a resident of Campbell County who owns his home and has no prior convictions. On the other hand, Henkes contended that Hightman posed an imminent flight risk because he faced significant jail time, lacks employment ties in Campbell County, and no long-term ties within Campbell County.

Hightman plead guilty to theft, unlawful credit card use and crimes against intellectual property. He received three to six years in prison time; with 81 days already served. Additionally, three years of supervised probation was given along with $4,000 fines and $1,500 public defender fee payment; his passport must also be handed over as well as placement into a mental health facility.

How did he meet Irene Gakwa?

After moving from Kenya to Idaho in 2019 for nursing school, Irene Gakwa fell for Nathan Hightman and started dating him, according to her family. They met via Craigslist, and after many weekends of seeing Irene visit them she moved over 700 miles without their siblings' knowledge to Gillette Wyoming with him in July 2021.

Family last saw her on February 24 during a video call, and reported her missing the following day. Their concern increased when she stopped video chatting and began sending suspicious texts that didn't sound like her; also notifying their Kenyan parents of her disappearance.

One of Gakwa's brothers eventually discovered her phone on the floor of her apartment in late February and combed through its texts and records to see what had transpired. It turned out that Gakwa's former flame had drained her bank accounts, deleted her email account, and used her credit card at Walmart to purchase shovels and boots - signs that something was amiss in her life.

Police arrested Hightman in March and charged him with five felonies related to theft and unlawful credit card usage. He was sentenced to three to six years of incarceration as well as ordered to pay $13,200 in fines and restitution, according to Campbell County District Court documents.

What happened to Irene Gakwa?

Irene Gakwa's family have appealed for answers on her disappearance since February 2022 when she was last seen talking on video calls and text messaging with them in Gillette, Wyoming.

Nathan Hightman was named as a person of interest by police following her disappearance and has since been charged with theft and illegal use of credit cards. Hightman allegedly stole thousands from the nursing student, deleted their email account, and withdrew funds owed them from them - leading them to court. Hightman has now been sentenced up to six years imprisonment as well as fines and restitution payments of over $13,000 from him.

Gakwa appeared fatigued and stressed during her last video call with her father and brother, telling them she planned on sleeping later; Hightman encouraged her to lie about where she was living so as to isolate herself and avoid their attention.

Hightman admitted using his Kenyan girlfriend's bank details and email account details to steal money and delete her email account, according to court testimony on Tuesday afternoon. Hightman's bail was revoked at that court hearing, and he was led away in handcuffs from the courtroom; various agencies searched his home during October but have yet to reveal any findings or evidence against him.

What happened to Nate Hightman?

Nathan Hightman was charged with financial crimes related to Irene Gakwa's disappearance from Gillette in late February 2022 and faces jail time. Police allege he transferred $3,700 from her bank account, maxed out her credit card, then used it at Walmart to purchase boots and shovel.

Hightman changed Gakwa's online bank password, deleted her email account, and modified her social media profiles, according to Gillette Police Department. Hightman may have taken her away to an isolated area - possibly an oil or mining location - which investigators suspect. GPD says Hightman has not cooperated with investigators and refuses to answer their inquiries about Gakwa.

Becky Hightman shared with Wyoming Truth that they raised him, yet after his mother passed, he became distant and quieter than before. She noted he spent much time alone.

Hightman's public defender filed a motion to postpone his financial crimes trial citing the extensive search of his house by multiple agencies and media attention surrounding his case. They asked that it be scheduled for November.

Chris Gakwa and Kennedy Wainaina, Gakwa's brothers, told the Wyoming Truth they were disappointed by Hightman's court date being postponed; their family had planned on attending it.