REDDING—Sherri Papini, who went missing in early November was found alive on Thanksgiving Day by a passing motorist near Interstate 5 in Yolo County.
“We are very ecstatic to report that Sherri Papini has been located and has been reunited with husband and family on this day of Thanksgiving,” said Sheriff Tom Bosenko of Shasta County.
Papini, 34, went missing on November 2, and was last seen on Sunrise Drive in Redding, California during an afternoon jog, according to missing persons posters that were handed out and placed throughout the region in efforts to locate the victim.
Her husband, Keith Papini reported his wife missing after she failed to pick up their two children from daycare. He was ruled out as a suspect after passing a polygraph test and having his whereabouts confirmed by the Major Crimes Unit.
Sherri was found 140 miles away from her last known whereabouts. Her captors released Papini near a rural road in Yolo Country. She was still physically bound, but was able to flag down help from the highway.
Sheriff Tom Bosenko said Papini was in an a very emotional state and quite upset after being found, but was elated to be free.
“The California Highway Patrol was able to connect her to her husband via cell phone and he immediately started responding,” said Sheriff Bosenko.
She was able to give police a vague distraction of her captors. Authorities are looking for two Hispanic women with handguns and a dark colored SUV. Police consider the suspects to be armed and dangerous.
Papini was taken to a hospital to receive treatment for non-life threatening injuries. Bosenko did not comment on the exact nature of Papini’s injuries. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for Papini’s abduction. Anyone with information regarding Papini’s abduction or the suspects are asked to call Shasta County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 245-6135.
