In 2016, Sherri Papini made national headlines when authorities discovered her injured and branded after a three-week unexplained disappearance. Now, she is blaming her former crush and ex-boyfriend, James Reyes, of orchestrating her kidnapping. Papini pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements to federal authorities in 2022. Consequently, she was incarcerated for ten months.
On November 2, 2016, Papini allegedly disappeared while jogging in her Redding, California-area neighborhood. The case captured the nation’s attention when authorities located her on Thanksgiving Day, November 24th. She was found about 146 miles from where she had disappeared. Authorities discovered her with some of their most horrifying injuries, including a Bible verse branded on her shoulder. Papini told investigators that two Latina women kidnapped her at gunpoint. Now, with new allegations in play, her narrative is starting to change.
Legal Troubles and Guilt
The legal turmoil following Papini’s disappearance has been significant. In March 2022, she was subsequently arrested and charged with making false statement and mail fraud in connection to the case. She eventually entered a plea of guilty to two counts on April 18, 2022. At her rather embarrassing court appearance in September of 2022, she apologized and said, “I am guilty of being a liar.”
Papini’s life as she knew it was upended by these alleged events. In 2022, her husband, Keith Papini, finally moved to finalize their divorce. The couple is now locked in a contentious custody struggle over their two young children. Keith has admitted that he and his family still feel the emotional toll from the incident.
“I think it’s always going to be there,” – Keith Papini
Underneath all the chaos, Keith told us that he wanted to make sure that their children grew up in a stable environment. He stated, “We do want to move past it. I do want to provide my children an amazing childhood. I think it’ll always be there.”
Claims Against James Reyes
In her first interview with ABC News’ Juju Chang, Sherri Papini shared what happened during her abduction. She shared that the intimidation from Reyes and her then-spouse, Keith, silenced her from telling what really happened. She told us how empowering it felt to be able, at last, to tell her story.
“It’s time to tell the truth. I’ve done it. I’ve suffered for it. You watched me burn for it, go to prison, and lose custody of my children and ruin my entire life,” – Sherri Papini
Papini, that DNA discovered on her clothes was a match to Reyes’s DNA with the use of genetic genealogy methods in 2020. This data has prompted her to claim that Reyes was responsible for her alleged abduction. Circumstances around her disappearance keep changing with each new allegation that surfaces.
A New Chapter
Sherri Papini is starting a new chapter in her life. We’re thrilled to see her announcing the pre-order availability for her debut book, Sherri Papini Doesn’t Exist, which will be released June 26. In her memoir, she attempts to disentangle her past. She brings to light the complicated circumstances surrounding her kidnapping story.
“There are several versions of what happened out there, several versions. This is mine. This is my words. It’s backed by loads and loads of evidence. And it’s, my heart is in it. It’s vulnerable,” – Sherri Papini
In her ongoing pursuit of redemption, Papini fronts their ultimate reunion by reminding listeners to always put love for their children above all other adult drama.
“You have to love your children more than you hate your ex. Just love them more than your hate for me,” – Sherri Papini
Sherri Papini’s experience has been a bumpy one, and her narrative is not yet complete. She seems hellbent for leather to reestablish her brand and persona, after falling from grace with the law and her tabloid marriage.
