Woman Behind Kidnapping Hoax Takes Polygraph in Revealing New Interview

Coming clean hasn’t been easy for Sherri Papini.

In 2022, a mother of two from California was sentenced to 18 months in prison for pretending to be kidnapped to reunite with an ex-boyfriend. Her disappearance triggered a three-week, multi-state search and she reappeared on Thanksgiving Day in 2016.

Currently, the 42-year-old is revisiting her vanished episode and undergoing a lie detector test in the Investigation Discovery (ID) true crime docuseries, “Sherri Papini: Caught in a Lie.”

Sherri Papini claimed she was unhappy with her marriage but was afraid of losing her two children. (ID)

In the docuseries, Papini admitted to an emotional affair with Reyes due to dissatisfaction in her marriage and a fear of losing her children. However, she insisted that the kidnapping was not voluntary. Reyes’ DNA was discovered on the clothing she had on when found.

Rittenmeyer said this is the first time Papini is publicly sharing this account.

Monica De La Mora, or “Mo,” spoke about what it was like being behind bars with Sherri Papini. (ID)

“She never shared it with anyone except for us and very close members of her family,” said Rittenmeyer. “This is going to be the first time Shasta County sheriffs will hear this story when they watch it with the rest of the viewers.”

Sherri Papini said she’s finally speaking out after undergoing therapy because she felt ready to share her truth. (ID)

Fox News Digital reached out to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Keith’s attorney and Reyes for comment. According to the docuseries, Reyes vehemently denies kidnapping and abusing Papini.

“He maintains that any harm he inflicted on her was done at her direction,” the docuseries shared. “He has not been charged with any crime in connection with Sherri’s disappearance.”

When questioned by FBI agents, Reyes claimed that Papini planned “everything,” including the decision to use a wood-burning tool to brand her shoulder. He passed a polygraph test.

“What I learned… is that her particular form of personality disorder results in a lot of pleasing,” Rittenmeyer continued. “There’s an effort to please, which served us well when we did reenactments and the polygraph because she didn’t want to do those things, but she did them.

Attorney Bill Portanova represented Sherri Papini and spoke about his famous client in the docuseries. (ID)

“… We assume people lie because they’re trying to deceive because there’s financial gain or something that they’re trying to get over on us. And in the case of her personality disorder, she lies as a protective mechanism. It’s like default. She’s gotten a lot of therapy, and she’s a lot better than she used to be. But… there was so much more nuance to her and why she did the things that she did, and what drove her to do them.”

Sherri Papini with her parents, Loretta and Richard Graeff. (ID)

In 2022, Papini accepted a plea bargain with prosecutors and acknowledged she made up the story that prompted the frantic search. That same year, Keith filed for divorce.

“I am deeply ashamed of myself for my behavior and so very sorry for the pain I’ve caused my family, my friends, all the good people who needlessly suffered because of my story, and those who worked so hard to try to help me,” she said in a statement at the time. “I will work the rest of my life to make amends for what I have done.”

In the docuseries, Sherri Papini wondered how people will view her after her testimony. (ID)

The plea agreement called for Papini to pay restitution topping $300,000.

Sherri Papini is adamant that she’s now telling the truth. (ID)

But today, Papini is adamant that she was a victim.

“Haven’t you ever lied? And then, has the lie been blown up?” Papini said in the docuseries.

Sherri Papini’s parents spoke about her upbringing. (ID)

Rittemeyer said that Papini, now out with her story, is “working on being a better person.”

Director Nicole Rittenmeyer told Fox News Digital that Sherri Papini is working on being “a better person.” (ID)

“I do think the person I interviewed is very different from the one… Shasta County interviewed,” said Rittenmeyer. “She went through it. She served her time. She’s done a lot of therapy… If there’s a lesson to take away from this film, I think it’s don’t lie. You kickstart events and you’re going to spiral horrifically out of control.”