The missing Arizona woman who disappeared two years ago and was found alive in Mexico is not Shayna Feinman, authorities said.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the woman Mexican authorities discovered Monday in Tijuana was not Feinman, who vanished on March 9, 2024, when she was 38.
The sheriff’s office said US authorities confirmed to detectives that the woman was not Feinman.
Details were not given about how this conclusion was reached other than saying ‘physical evidence’ had been used.
The sheriff’s office stressed that detectives continued to ‘work diligently with the family during this stressful time,’ while reminding the public of a $20,000 reward for information concerning Feinman’s whereabouts.
Authorities added that they was ‘aware of circulating news reports’ regarding Feinman’s discovery but that those stories had been posted ‘without official law enforcement confirmation.’
Feinman, from Yavapai, vanished in March 2024 when she was walking to a friend’s house near Peach Springs and Hyde Park area in Seligman, Arizona.
Her whereabouts have been unknown for more than two years after police found her cell phone and other belongings at a nearby house – leaving her family searching for answers.
Shayna Feinman went missing on March 9, 2024 from the Peach Springs and Hyde Park area near Seligman, Arizona before she was found alive in Mexico on October 23, 2026
The Tijuana Municipal Security and Protection Service (SSPCM) said Feinman was found in the Encino neighborhood and that her characteristics matched the missing woman
During her disappearance, police even had enough evidence to charge her boyfriend, Cavett Richards, with murder and concealment of a body – despite the fact her remains were never found. The charges were eventually dismissed.
Officials in Mexico said that they found Feinman alive last week, on October 23.
Her distraught sister said the family still had doubts until they met with the woman face-to-face in Mexico.
The Tijuana Municipal Security and Protection Service (SSPCM) said Feinman had been found in the Encino neighborhood and that her characteristics matched the missing woman.
‘After confirming her identity, the officers provided her with custody and protection, as well as moved her to a safe location. This was done to enable the consular authorities and her family to contact her and follow up on the relevant procedures,’ the SSPCM wrote on Facebook.
Kara Feinman, Shayna’s sister, told FOX10 that she has not met with the woman in custody in Mexico and had been waiting for confirmation from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on her identity.
‘There are a ton of people that are short like she was and have dark hair, everywhere,’ Kara told the outlet.
‘I can only hope and pray [for] good news, but right now, we have to be realistic, rational and calm,’ Kara said.
Kara (left) said ‘there are a ton of people that are short like she was and have dark hair, everywhere,’ and that she can only hope for good news
Detectives are searching for more information on the cause of Feinman’s (pictured) disappearance and how she arrived in Mexico as the investigation remains ongoing
‘It is believed that Feinman was heading to a nearby friend’s house on foot but never arrived.
‘Detectives have recovered her cell phone on a nearby property and are reporting that the persons last seen with Shayna are not cooperating with the investigation,’ YCSO wrote in a social media statement.
According to FOX 10, the YCSO announced probable cause to charge Cavett Richards, Feinman’s boyfriend, and William DalCerro, with second-degree murder, conspiracy and concealment of a dead body.
The outlet reported both men were previously arrested on unrelated weapon and stolen vehicle charges and were accused of killing Feinman even though a search team has never recovered her remains.
This is a breaking news story.
