The search for missing Arizona woman Shayna Feinman is continuing after a report that she had been found alive in Tijuana, Mexico, was disproved by investigators.
Mexican authorities said a woman matching Feinman’s description had been located in the Encino neighbourhood of Tijuana on October 23. She was taken to a secure location while officials attempted to establish contact with US consular staff and her family.
But the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that physical evidence showed the woman was not Feinman. The sheriff’s office said detectives were continuing to work with her family.
Feinman disappeared in March 2024 after leaving a property near Seligman, in rural Yavapai County, while apparently walking to a friend’s home. She never arrived, and her phone, wallet, vehicle and other belongings were later found in the area.
The false report briefly raised hopes for her sister, Kara Feinman, before the identification was rejected. She had urged caution while the woman’s identity was being checked, saying that a physical resemblance alone could not establish that she was Shayna.
Two men were charged in connection with Feinman’s disappearance, but the murder charges were dismissed in January 2025. Authorities have said the investigation remains active, despite the absence of a body.
A reward of $20,000 remains available for information that helps locate Feinman. Detectives and relatives are continuing to pursue leads as the search enters its third year.
