Yavapai County Search: False Identification in Tijuana Resets Search for Shayna Feinman
Mexican officials incorrectly identified a woman in Tijuana as the missing Arizona resident, causing emotional strain for her family before U.S. authorities confirmed the error.
By Rosa Wojcik ·
The family of Shayna Feinman, an Arizona woman who has been missing since March 2024, reacted with frustration after Mexican authorities publicly identified a different woman as Feinman in Tijuana. U.S. investigators later used physical evidence to confirm that the individual in Mexico was not the missing resident of Yavapai County. The incident occurred in late October 2026, roughly two and a half years after Feinman disappeared.
Kara Feinman, the sister of the missing woman, described the episode as one of the most difficult moments in the two-and-a-half-year investigation. She noted that the family received a sudden influx of photos on social media and through direct messages claiming Feinman was alive in Tijuana. Some of the images appeared consistent with her appearance, while others taken moments later showed different features. Mexican officials released a photo and named the woman as Feinman without contacting the family first.
The search began in March 2024 when Feinman was last seen walking to a friend's residence in Yavapai County. She did not arrive at the destination. In 2024, law enforcement charged two men with second-degree murder despite the absence of a body. The defendants were Cavett Richards, who was 36 at the time, and William Dalcerro, who was 58. All charges against both men were dismissed in 2025.
Kara Feinman said the false identification forced the family to relive the initial shock and grief. She explained that the uncertainty of not knowing her sister's status is distinct from the finality of death or the comfort of closure. The sister continues to keep voicemails from Feinman, including one where Feinman sings happy birthday, and occasionally dials her missing sister's phone number.
Detectives in Yavapai County state that the active search for Feinman continues. The case remains unsolved with no confirmed location for her remains. A reward of $20,000 is currently offered for information leading to the discovery of her remains.
Kara Feinman said she is determined to continue the search and is not finished fighting. She asked anyone who may have seen or heard something relevant to contact Yavapai Silent Witness. The phone number for tips is 800-932-3232, and the website yavapaisw.com accepts online submissions. The family has not yet received new physical evidence following the Tijuana incident.
The dismissal of the murder charges in 2025 left the legal status of the case open, with investigators continuing to gather witness testimony and physical clues. Kara Feinman emphasized that any detail, no matter how small, could help determine where her sister's remains are located. The search team is reviewing new leads generated by the public interest renewed after the Tijuana misidentification.
