Sherri Papini
Sheriff’s deputies are checking on registered sex offenders and parolees in connection with the disappearance Wednesday of a 34-year-old mother of two who was last seen walking or jogging near the intersection of Old Oregon Trail and Sunrise Drive in the Mountain Gate area.
At a 1 p.m. press conference Thursday, Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said the disappearance of Sherri Papini is considered suspicious and that she is believed to be at risk.
Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko called a Thursday afternoon press conference to discuss the disappearance of Sherri Papini. Photo by Jon Lewis.
Keith Papini discovered his wife missing shortly before 6 p.m. when he arrived home from work. The couple’s two children had not been picked up from daycare as was customary, Bosenko said. Family members subsequently picked up the children and they are safe, the sheriff said.
Using a “find my phone” app on his computer, Keith Papini located his wife’s iPhone and ear buds near the intersection of Old Oregon Trail and Sunrise Drive. He called 911 from that location to ask for help, Bosenko said.
Deputies and detectives with the Major Crime Unit canvassed the area and searched throughout the night. A REACH air medical helicopter and sheriff’s K-9 dogs assisted in the search. Volunteers with the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team were continuing the search Thursday, Bosenko said.
Sherri Papini is described as a 5-foot-4 white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, weighing 100 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pink running jacket top. Bosenko declined to say who had last seen her, citing the ongoing investigation.
The sheriff said she had no known physical or mental health issues. Her recovered iPhone is being evaluated for images, text messages or any other information that may assist in the investigation. Papini’s family has not heard from her, he added.
Sherri Papini’s disappearance has been entered into a national database for missing persons and an all-points bulletin has been issued, Bosenko said. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about her disappearance, including suspicious persons or vehicles spotted in the area, to call the Shascom Dispatch Center at 530-245-6540 or the Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135. Tips also can be emailed to mcu@co.shasta.ca.us
The Sheriff’s Office also is enlisting social media avenues, including the Sheriff’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Shasta-County-Sheriffs-Office-1527637610823075/?fref=ts) for help in the search.
Bosenko said there is no evidence of a kidnapping, nor evidence that she was the victim of an attack by an animal, but that the investigation is ongoing. Sheriff’s Lt. Anthony Bertain is the contact person.
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