Arizona officials say a woman who disappeared more than two years ago has been found alive in Mexico, although her family is still seeking definitive confirmation that she is Shayna Feinman.
Feinman, of Yavapai County, was 38 when she vanished on March 9, 2024. She was reportedly walking to a friend’s home near the Peach Springs and Hyde Park area of Seligman, Arizona.
For more than two years, there was no confirmed sign of her. Investigators later discovered her cellphone and other belongings at a nearby property, leaving relatives desperate for answers.
Authorities eventually said they had probable cause to charge her boyfriend, Cavett Richards, with murder and concealment of a body, even though Feinman’s remains had never been located. Those charges were later dismissed.
On October 23, officials in Mexico reported that Feinman had been found alive.
However, her sister, Kara Feinman, said the family remains cautious. Relatives want to meet the woman in Mexico in person before accepting that she is Shayna.
The Tijuana Municipal Security and Protection Service (SSPCM) said the woman was located in the Encino neighborhood and matched the physical characteristics of the missing Arizona 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 in a Facebook statement.
Shayna Feinman disappeared on March 9, 2024, from the Peach Springs and Hyde Park area near Seligman, Arizona, before she was reportedly found alive in Mexico on October 23, 2026
Kara Feinman, her sister (right), said she has not yet met the woman being held in Mexico and is waiting for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office to confirm her identity
The Tijuana Municipal Security and Protection Service (SSPCM) said Feinman was found in the Encino neighborhood and that her characteristics matched those of the missing woman
Kara Feinman, Shayna’s sister, told FOX10 that she has not met with the woman in custody in Mexico and has 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.
Paul Wick, a spokesperson for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, said: ‘We are aware of reports indicating that Shayna Feinman may have been located in Mexico. At this time, the information remains unconfirmed, and there is insufficient evidence to verify her identity.’
Detectives are continuing to investigate what led to Feinman’s disappearance and how she may have traveled to Mexico. The case remains ongoing.
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The Yavapai Silent Witness had previously offered a $20,000 reward for information that could help locate Feinman.
‘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.
FOX 10 reported that the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office had announced probable cause to charge Richards and William DalCerro with second-degree murder, conspiracy and concealment of a dead body.
Both men had previously been arrested on unrelated weapons and stolen-vehicle charges. They were accused of killing Feinman, although search teams never found her remains, the outlet reported.
Court records from Yavapai County Superior Court show that the murder charges against both men were dismissed in January 2025.
Our News Outlet has reached out to Yavapai County Attorney’s Office for an attorney who can comment on behalf of Richards and DalCerro.
Following Feinman’s disappearance, her family previously visited the Peach Springs and Hyde Park area where they were given several of her personal belongings. They also reunited with their family dog they had not seen since she was reported missing.
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
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
Following Feinman’s disappearance, her family previously visited the Peach Springs and Hyde Park area where they were given several of her personal belongings
‘Driven by a need for answers and connection, Shayna’s father, Eliot, and sister, Kara, traveled to the area where she was last seen to walk the ground themselves,’ YCSO wrote in a social media statement.
At this time the YSW website has not been updated to reflect Feinman being found.
‘If you are in the area or surrounding areas, we are asking that you check your camera footage for anything that seems suspicious, or you feel may be relevant for information leading to an arrest in this case. Yavapai Silent Witness is offering $1,500 cash reward for information leading to an arrest in this case,’ the YSW wrote on their website.
Officials reported that arrangements are in place with the US Consular office to ensure Feinman has a safe return to her family.
Our News Outlet has reached out to Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, the Tijuana Municipal Security and Protection Service (SSPCM), and the US Bureau of Consular Affairs for comments.
