Physical evidence rules out missing Arizona woman in Mexico identification

Shayna Feinman, who has been missing since March 2024, remains unaccounted for after US authorities confirmed on Tuesday that a woman found in Tijuana, Mexico, is not her. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office stated that physical evidence verified the identity of the individual located in the Encino neighborhood, effectively ruling out the possibility that Feinman survived her disappearance.

The confusion began on Saturday when the Tijuana secretariat for security and citizen protection announced that Feinman had been located alive in the city. The agency released a photograph of a woman sitting at a desk with a missing person poster and asserted that investigators had confirmed her identity based on physical characteristics. The statement claimed the woman was in protective custody while officials arranged for family and consular contact.

Kara Feinman, the sister of the missing hiker, expressed cautious optimism initially but noted that she was waiting for definitive confirmation from Arizona authorities. She acknowledged that the woman in the Tijuana photo had similar physical attributes to her sister. However, she told KSAZ that the family had to remain realistic until official verification was provided.

Paul Wick, a spokesperson for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, initially told KSAZ that the agency was aware of the reports but that the information remained unconfirmed. He stated that there was insufficient evidence to verify the identity of the woman in Mexico at that time. The sheriff’s office said it was actively investigating the matter.

On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office issued a statement saying that US authorities had confirmed to detectives, using physical evidence, that the individual located is not Shayna Feinman. The statement noted that prior media reports regarding the discovery were published without official law enforcement confirmation. Detectives continue to work with the Feinman family during this process.

Kara Feinman told The Guardian that the initial confusion may have stemmed from a concerned citizen who became convinced her sister was in Tijuana and shared that belief on social media. She described enduring online criticism for not reacting with enough enthusiasm to the news. She said the experience has been described as turmoil and heartbreaking.

The case traces back to March 2024, when Feinman, then 38, was reported missing in rural Yavapai County. She was last seen walking to an acquaintance's home but never arrived or returned to her dog. Her car was found abandoned near her boyfriend's residence, and her wallet and identification were inside. Authorities later recovered her cellphone on nearby land.

Richards and William DalCerro were charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy, and concealing a corpse, but those charges were dismissed. A $20,000 reward remains open for information. Tijuana officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the retraction of their earlier claim.