Sherri Papini, the California woman who made headlines in 2016 for faking her own kidnapping, is now claiming that she was actually abducted by her ex-boyfriend, James Reyes. In a tearful interview with ABC News to promote her self-published memoir, “Sherri Papini Doesn’t Exist,” Papini revealed the truth behind her disappearance.
Papini, who originally told authorities that she was kidnapped by two Hispanic women, now admits that she fabricated the story out of fear of Reyes and her then-husband. She explained that she never told the police the truth about her abduction because she was scared and felt trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage.
The mysterious disappearance of Papini in Redding, California, sparked a massive 22-day manhunt in 2016. However, it was later revealed that the entire incident was a hoax orchestrated by Papini and Reyes. Despite her claims of being kidnapped, authorities found evidence that she was secretly staying with Reyes while her family and law enforcement searched for her.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Papini had inflicted injuries on herself to make it appear as though she had been physically abused during her supposed abduction. Reyes cooperated with authorities and confirmed that Papini had orchestrated the entire hoax.
In her book, Papini also alleges that she was in an emotionally abusive relationship with her then-husband, Keith Papini. She claims that she was controlled and manipulated by both Reyes and her husband, leading her to fabricate the kidnapping story.
Papini’s admission of guilt came in April 2022 when she pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about her abduction. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison but served only 10 months behind bars. Despite the consequences she faced for her actions, Papini now feels liberated to speak the truth and share her side of the story.
As she continues to rebuild her life after the scandal, Papini hopes that by coming forward with the truth, she can finally move on from the past and regain custody of her children. Her journey from deception to redemption serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of lying and the importance of facing the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.
