Shayna Feinman search continues after mistaken identity in Mexico
Missing Arizona woman Shayna Feinman not found alive in Mexico, officials confirm false report
Arizona authorities used physical evidence to determine a woman in Tijuana is not missing Arizonan Shayna Feinman, whose disappearance remains unsolved. FOX 10's Megan Spector has the details, as the search continues for the woman who went missing more than two years ago.
YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. - The family of a missing Arizona woman has been subjected to a heartbreaking emotional roller coaster following false reports about her discovery.
Timeline:
Reports spread rapidly across social media claiming Shayna Feinman had been found alive in Tijuana, Mexico. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Officeconfirmed the situation was a case of mistaken identity.
Woman found in Mexico is not Shayna Feinman, Arizona sheriff's office says
A woman found in Mexico is not Shayna Feinman, an Arizona woman who has been missing for more than two years, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Oct. 27.
Feinman was last seen on March 9, 2024. Investigators later found her vehicle abandoned near a property where she had been staying with her boyfriend, with her wallet and ID inside.
Months later, detectives charged her boyfriend, 36-year-old Cavett Richards, and another man, 58-year-old William Dalcerro, with second-degree murder, even though her remains were never found. Those charges were dismissed in 2025, although both were in jail for unrelated charges.
Dig deeper:
Reports surfaced over the past 24 hours claiming the missing woman had been found alive in Tijuana, with Mexican authorities releasing a photo of a woman who appeared to look like Feinman and were claiming it was her.
Mistaken Claims:
However, U.S. authorities used physical evidence to verify her identity, confirmed Tijuana police were mistaken, and determined the woman in Mexican custody is someone else entirely.
Feinman's Family:
Contact was made with Feinman’s sister during the developments. Before U.S. authorities confirmed it was not Feinman, her sister stated she was staying hopeful but waiting for official verification from local law enforcement. She later shared that she is taking time to process the situation.
What's next:
Detectives say the search for Feinman remains active and ongoing. A $20,000 reward is still being offered for information about her whereabouts.
Map of where Shayna Feinman went missing in 2024:
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office; FOX 10 reporter Megan Spector; and previous FOX 10 reports.