US Authorities Say Reports of Missing Arizona Woman Found Alive in Mexico Are False

Arizona authorities state that recent Mexican police claims about locating a missing woman feared slain after disappearing in 2024 are incorrect. Shayna Feinman was reported missing in rural Yavapai county, Arizona, in March 2024 at age 38.

Case Background and Investigation

• Disappearance Details: According to local reporting, Feinman was last seen walking to an acquaintance’s home but never arrived. Her abandoned car was later found near where she had been staying with her boyfriend, Cavett Richards.
• Prior Legal Actions: The Yavapai county sheriff’s office previously charged Richards and William DalCerro with second-degree murder, conspiracy, and concealing a corpse. Those charges were later dismissed, and a $20,000 reward was offered for information as the investigation continued.

The Tijuana Statement and Subsequent Denial

On Saturday, the secretariat for security and citizen protection in Tijuana, Mexico, stated that Feinman had been located in the city's Encino neighborhood. The agency shared a photo of a woman and asserted that investigators had confirmed her identity based on physical characteristics, placing her in protective custody.

However, the Yavapai county sheriff’s office stated on Tuesday that US authorities confirmed through physical evidence that the individual located in Mexico is not Shayna Feinman.

Impact on the Family

Kara Feinman, the missing woman's sister, described the conflicting reports as heartbreaking and noted that the situation led to online cyberbullying when she exercised caution regarding the unverified claims. She urged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions without complete information.