Yavapai Sheriff Confirms Tijuana Misidentification in Shayna Feinman Case
Physical evidence proved the woman identified by Mexican officials was not the Arizona hiker missing since 2024.
By Madison Lewis ·
US authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the woman identified by Mexican officials in Tijuana is not Shayna Feinman, ending a brief period of confusion in the high-profile Arizona missing person case.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office stated that physical evidence verified the identity of the individual located in Mexico. The agency noted that earlier media reports regarding the discovery were published without official law enforcement confirmation. Detectives continue to work with the family during the ongoing investigation.
Feinman, who was 38 years old when she disappeared in rural Yavapai County in March 2024, was last seen walking to an acquaintance’s home. Her vehicle was found abandoned near the residence of her then-boyfriend, Cavett Richards. Investigators later recovered her wallet, identification, and cellphone from the area. Richards and William DalCerro were charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy, and concealing a corpse, though those charges were subsequently dismissed. A $20,000 reward remains active for information leading to a resolution.
On Saturday, the Tijuana security and citizen protection secretariat issued a statement claiming Feinman was located in the Encino neighborhood. The agency provided a photograph of a woman sitting at a desk with a missing poster and stated that physical characteristics matched the missing person report. The secretariat placed the woman in protective custody while arranging for contact with US consular officials and the Feinman family. The agency also posted a link to the statement on the social media page of Feinman’s sister, Kara.
Kara Feinman expressed skepticism immediately after the announcement. She told KSAZ that she was waiting for the sheriff’s office to confirm the identity before accepting the news. Kara observed that the woman in the photograph had similar physical attributes but emphasized the need for realism. Paul Wick, a spokesperson for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, said the agency was aware of the reports but lacked sufficient evidence to verify the identity at that time.
In an interview, Kara Feinman attributed the initial confusion to a concerned citizen who identified the woman on social media. She described facing online criticism for not reacting with enough enthusiasm to the announcement. Feinman stated that the experience has been turmoil and heartbreaking, noting that kindness can go far when people are passionate about such cases.
The Tijuana security secretariat did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the sheriff’s office confirmation. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said it would provide further updates once new information is confirmed and ready for release.
