Arizona sheriff says woman found in Mexico is not missing Shayna Feinman

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday that the woman recently identified in Tijuana is not Shayna Feinman.

Feinman, a 38-year-old from rural Arizona, was reported missing in March 2024. Her case drew national attention after Mexican authorities announced on Saturday that they had located her alive in the Encino neighborhood of Tijuana.

The Tijuana Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat stated in a public release that investigators had verified the identity of the woman found sitting in front of a desk with a missing person poster. The agency claimed her physical characteristics matched the description in Feinman’s missing person report. They placed the woman in protective custody while arranging for a meeting with her family and US consular officials.

Skepticism emerged quickly among those closest to the case. Kara Feinman, the sister of the missing woman, told KSAZ on Monday that she was waiting for official confirmation before celebrating. She noted that the woman in the photo had similar physical attributes to Shayna but advised caution, saying the family had to be realistic. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office initially described the reports as unconfirmed, with spokesperson Paul Wick stating there was insufficient evidence to verify the identity.

The confusion surrounding the initial announcement has roots in social media speculation. Kara Feinman told The Guardian on Tuesday that the confusion likely began with a concerned citizen who became convinced her sister was in Mexico and shared that belief online. Kara described a period of guarded optimism followed by cyberbullying from users who criticized her for not reacting with enough enthusiasm to the news. She expressed hope that the public would understand the difficulty of jumping to conclusions without complete information.

The original investigation into Feinman’s disappearance began in March 2024 in Yavapai County. Authorities believe she was walking to an acquaintance’s home when she vanished. Her car was found abandoned near the residence of her then-boyfriend, Cavett Richards. Her wallet, identification, and cellphone were recovered from the area. The sheriff’s office later charged Richards and William DalCerro with second-degree murder, conspiracy, and concealing a corpse, though those charges were eventually dismissed. A reward of $20,000 remains open for information leading to her location.

The sheriff’s office stated on Tuesday that US authorities confirmed the identity of the individual in Tijuana using physical evidence. The agency acknowledged that media reports about the alleged discovery were published without official confirmation. Detectives continue to work with the Feinman family as the search for answers continues.