On March 25, 2026, Amy Hillyard, a 52-year-old mother and well-regarded co-owner of a local coffee shop, disappeared from her Oakland, California home. She was last seen in the afternoon at her residence in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood near Lake Merritt. In a particularly concerning detail, Amy walked away from her home without her phone, identification, credit cards, or any cash. No note was left behind to explain her absence, and she has not been seen or heard from since that day.
Her husband, Chris Hillyard, with whom she owns Farley's Coffee in Oakland and San Francisco, returned home to find the back door open and his wife's personal belongings left behind, prompting him to report her missing.
The hours following her disappearance revealed a few more details. Surveillance footage later captured Amy at approximately 4:30 p.m. in Dimond Park, a place she was known to hike. At the time she went missing, Amy was reportedly wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, light-colored jeans, and white sneakers with black stripes. Authorities have stated that Amy is considered at-risk, as she was dealing with depression and anxiety and was on medication for her mental health. Her family expressed that being without her medication could be dangerous for her. Despite the troubling circumstances, the Oakland Police Department has indicated that they have found no evidence of foul play in her disappearance.
In the weeks and months that followed, Amy's disappearance has drawn a significant response from the community that holds her in high regard. Her family has hired a private investigator to aid the official police inquiry, and friends have organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs associated with the extensive search efforts. These efforts have been bolstered by numerous volunteers from the community. A vigil was held for Amy two months after she went missing, a gathering that marked a painful milestone for her family and friends who are still desperately seeking answers. With leads having grown scarce, her loved ones continue to hold out hope. This case remains a painful and unresolved mystery, centered on the sudden and unexplained absence of a beloved wife, mother, and community figure who vanished after leaving her home on an ordinary afternoon, leaving behind a life and a family that anxiously await her return. A $25,000 reward has been offered for any information that leads to her being found safely.Last Seen: Mar 25, 2026
