Arizona Missing Person Case: Tijuana Identification Error

Shayna Feinman is still missing.

The confusion began in March 2024 when the 38-year-old woman vanished in rural Yavapai County, Arizona. Authorities last saw her walking to an acquaintance’s home. Her car was abandoned near the residence of her boyfriend, Cavett Richards. Investigators found her wallet and identification inside the vehicle and later recovered her cellphone on nearby land. Richards and William DalCerro were charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy, and concealing a corpse. Those charges were dismissed, and a $20,000 reward was placed on the case.

On Saturday, the security and citizen protection secretariat in Tijuana, Mexico, announced that Feinman had been located in the Encino neighborhood. The agency shared a photograph of a woman sitting at a desk with a missing person poster. They stated that investigators confirmed her identity based on physical characteristics matching the missing person report. The Tijuana agency placed the woman in protective custody to facilitate conversations with her family and US consular officials. They also posted a link to their statement on the social media page of Feinman’s sister, Kara.

Kara Feinman and the Yavapai County sheriff’s office expressed immediate skepticism. Kara told KSAZ that she was waiting for certainty and noted that the woman in the photo had similar physical attributes to her sister. She said, “I can only hope and pray [for] good news, but right now, we have to be realistic.” Paul Wick, a spokesperson for the Yavapai sheriff’s office, said the agency was aware of the reports but that the information remained unconfirmed. He added that there was insufficient evidence to verify the identity of the woman in Tijuana.

On Tuesday, the Yavapai sheriff’s office issued a statement confirming that US authorities utilized physical evidence to determine the individual in Mexico is not Shayna Feinman. The office noted that prior media reports regarding the alleged discovery were published without official law enforcement confirmation. Detectives continue to work with the family during this stressful time.

Kara Feinman told The Guardian that the initial confusion likely stemmed from a concerned citizen who convinced others on social media that her sister was in Tijuana. She described enduring cyberbullying from users who criticized her for not reacting with enough enthusiasm to the false news. She said, “Words are stronger than people think, and kindness can go so far.” Kara added, “It’s been turmoil going through this. It’s heartbreaking. It’s terrible, and I don’t wish this on anybody.”

The Tijuana security and citizen protection secretariat did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The search for the 38-year-old woman continues in Arizona.