Family reopens search after Mexico false ID

A $20,000 reward remains on the table for information regarding the whereabouts of Shayna Feinman, a missing woman from Arizona. Her family is once again appealing to the public for leads following a recent false identification in Mexico.

The case has remained unsolved for two and a half years. In March 2024, Feinman was last seen walking to a friend's house in Yavapai County, Arizona. She never arrived at her destination. For years, her family has waited for news while detectives continue their investigation.

Late last month, the family received a sudden influx of photos on social media. The images claimed Feinman was alive and living on the streets of Tijuana. Her sister, Kara Feinman, described the initial reaction to the photos. She said the family was ninety-nine percent sure it was her based on her mannerisms and body type. Then a second photo of the same person walking proved it was not her.

Mexican authorities compounded the confusion by releasing an image of the Tijuana woman. They publicly identified her as Shayna Feinman. Kara Feinman stated that her family was never contacted by officials prior to that release. The public identification created a moment of hope that quickly turned into heartache.

U.S. authorities reviewed physical evidence to verify the identification. They confirmed that Tijuana officials were wrong. The woman in Mexico was not Shayna Feinman. This confirmation sent the family back to the emotional starting point of the case. Kara Feinman described the moment as one of the most challenging in the long history of her sister's disappearance.

The family has maintained a persistent search strategy throughout the investigation. Kara Feinman said she still reaches for her phone to call her sister, even though she knows the number is disconnected. She keeps voicemail messages, including one where Shayna sings happy birthday to her. These recordings serve as tangible connections to the woman who went missing.

Legal proceedings in the case have also shifted. In 2024, Shayna Feinman's boyfriend, Cavett Richards, and another man, William Dalcerro, faced second-degree murder charges. No body was ever found to support the charges. In 2025, those charges were dismissed. The dismissal left the family without a legal conclusion but not without their determination to find answers.

Detectives say the search for Shayna Feinman remains active. Kara Feinman is continuing her public plea for new information. She is not done searching for her sister. The Yavapai Silent Witness program is accepting tips by phone at 800-932-3232. People can also submit information online at yavapaisw.com. The reward for information leading to her whereabouts or remains stands at $20,000.