Sherri Papini is a woman from California who staged her kidnapping with the aid of her ex-boyfriend, James Reyes. She was sent to jail in September 2022 and released in August 2023.
Reports suggest that she disappeared on November 2, 2016, after she went out for a run. After her husband, Keith Papini reported her missing, residents of the town and law officials carried out a huge search operation to find her. However, they could not locate her.
After three weeks, on November 24, 2016, she was found 150 miles away from her home. Sherri told investigators that her kidnappers were two Hispanic women. The duo apparently kidnapped her at gunpoint, cut her blond hair, and made her wear adult diapers. In addition, they kept her in a closet and prepared to sell her to a sex trafficking ring.
As the investigation carried on, officials realized that Sherri’s story was fake. They soon arrested her and she finally admitted her wrongdoing. She could have gone to prison for 25 years, however, since she accepted a plea deal, the court sentenced her to 18 months behind bars. This case has been explored in detail in the 2022 documentary, Sherri Papini: Lies, Lies, and More Lies.
Where was Sherri Papini at the time of her disappearance?
According to The Independent, investigators found traces of Sherri’s ex-boyfriend, James Reyes’s DNA on her clothes. The duo reportedly spent three weeks together in James’ apartment.
According to BBC, Sherri Papini released a statement where she apologized for her actions. She stated, “I am so sorry to the many people who have suffered because of me – the people who sacrificed for the broken woman I was, the people who gave willingly to help me in a time that I so desperately needed help. I am choosing to humbly accept all responsibility.”
After she agreed to the plea deal, her husband Keith filed for divorce.
