Authorities in Arizona have refuted recent claims by Mexican officials that Shayna Feinman, a woman reported missing in March 2024, had been found alive in Tijuana. Feinman, 38, disappeared in rural Yavapai County, Arizona, and was last seen walking to an acquaintance’s home. Despite a search, she did not arrive at her destination nor return to care for her dog.

Feinman’s vehicle was discovered abandoned near the residence she shared with her boyfriend, Cavett Richards. Her wallet and identification were inside the car, while her cellphone was located nearby. Richards and another man, William DalCerro, were initially charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy, and concealing a corpse, but those charges were later dropped. Authorities had offered a $20,000 reward for information related to her disappearance.

On Saturday, Mexico’s Secretariat for Security and Citizen Protection in Tijuana announced that a woman matching Feinman’s description had been located in the city’s Encino neighborhood and placed in protective custody. The agency shared a photograph of the woman sitting in front of a desk with Feinman’s missing person poster visible. It added that investigators confirmed the individual’s identity based on physical characteristics, and arrangements were being made for her to communicate with Feinman’s family and U.S. consular officials.

However, these claims were met with skepticism by both Feinman’s sister, Kara Feinman, and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Kara expressed cautious hope but emphasized a need for official confirmation from authorities before accepting the report. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office indicated that although they were aware of the news from Tijuana, there was insufficient evidence at the time to verify the woman’s identity.

On Tuesday, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement confirming that U.S. authorities had determined through physical evidence that the individual found in Tijuana was not Shayna Feinman. The office criticized earlier media reports on the matter for lacking official law enforcement confirmation and stated that their investigators would continue working closely with Feinman’s family.

Kara Feinman later told reporters she believed the initial misinformation may have originated from a concerned citizen who suspected Feinman was in Tijuana and shared that belief on social media. She said the family faced a difficult period marked by the emotional ups and downs of hope and disappointment, compounded by online harassment directed at her cautious response to the false news of her sister’s return.

Mexican officials did not respond to requests for further comment on the discrepancies. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities continue their investigation into Feinman’s disappearance as the search remains ongoing.