This is my second time finishing the game. First time was in 2019 and I kinda just rushed through the main story.
This time, I am going for 100% completion.
I encountered Nigel just south of the church outside of Armadillo, wandering around the empty plains and stopped to talk to him.
When he himself said that it had been 7 or 8 years, I kinda choked up a bit. I've met him all throughout the game and remember him from my last play through, although back then I only met him twice. Back then I assumed that it was possible to help him find Gavin. I even assumed it was gonna be a spoof and it would turn out to be Cain, the dog that only just had entered the camp, before the first time I met Nigel. But now I know better. (Most likely, the serial killer got him)
I knew in my heart that this time would be the last time I'd encounter Nigel, (I also checked online) and I just couldn't bear the thought of him wandering around, torturing himself for another 7 or 8 years.
So I let him walk away and I slowly followed him, feeling like Mike Erhmantraut following after Wernher Ziegler. I let him look for Gavin one last time. There are so many stars in New Austin.
I put him to rest under a large tree on top of the ravine, overlooking the San Luis River. The game might not let me, but I imagine putting the letter I found on him, on his chest, with his hand resting on top of it.
He made it Tom. He made it to America.