HER FAMILY WAS CONCERNED: Relatives of Amy Hillyard, 52, say she had been struggling emotionally in the weeks before she vanished on March 25 in Oakland — one family member recalls a late-night phone call lasting 18 minutes, ending with silence and a half-finished sentence.

The disappearance of Amy Hillyard, the beloved 52-year-old co-owner of Farley’s Coffee shops in the San Francisco Bay Area, has left her family, friends, and the wider Oakland community grappling with deep worry and unanswered questions. As the search enters its third week in mid-April 2026, new insights from her relatives highlight the emotional challenges Amy was facing in the lead-up to March 25. Family members have described her as someone quietly battling significant sadness and anxiety, with one relative recounting a haunting late-night phone conversation that lasted about 18 minutes before ending abruptly in silence and an unfinished sentence.

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Amy Hillyard, a mother of two daughters, was last seen around 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in the 500 block of Radnor Road in Oakland’s peaceful Cleveland Heights neighborhood, not far from Lake Merritt. She was wearing a tan-colored top and tan pants (or, according to some accounts, a white short-sleeved shirt, light-colored jeans, and white sneakers with black stripes). Standing 5’4″ tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes, Amy is well-known in the local coffee and community scenes.

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Cleveland Heights is a leafy, established residential area with charming older homes, sloping streets, and a strong sense of neighborly connection. On the day she vanished, Amy and her husband Chris had shared a normal breakfast at home. Chris dropped her off at a nearby BART station for a therapy appointment. She returned home, took their dog for a short walk, and was even seen chatting briefly with a neighbor on her way back — moments captured on nearby surveillance footage. When Chris arrived home around 3:15 p.m., he found the back door open and Amy’s personal items — including her cellphone, car keys, wallet, and handbag — left behind on the kitchen counter. This immediately set off alarm bells.

A critical and still unexplained gap in the timeline exists between her return from the walk and Chris’s arrival. Surveillance video later placed Amy near Dimond Park and the base of Dimond Canyon around 4:30 p.m. that same day. The park and its surrounding hiking trails feature dense foliage, winding paths, and natural seclusion, areas that have been intensively searched by volunteers, law enforcement, and search teams in the weeks since.

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In recent public statements and interviews, Chris Hillyard has opened up about the emotional struggles his wife was navigating. In the months before her disappearance, Amy had been dealing with “a lot of loss and intense feelings of sadness.” These included the death of a close family friend, the passing of one of their beloved dogs, and the heavy emotional toll of providing intensive caregiving for relatives. Overwhelmed, she sought professional help, attended therapy sessions, and was prescribed medication for depression and anxiety. Chris emphasized that she was “doing all the right things to heal” and actively working on her recovery.

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Relatives have echoed this concern, painting a picture of a woman who carried her burdens quietly while continuing to show up for her family and community. One family member shared details of a late-night phone call in the weeks leading up to March 25. The conversation lasted approximately 18 minutes and ended with an unsettling silence followed by a half-finished sentence. The abrupt nature of the call has lingered with the family, contributing to their growing worry about Amy’s emotional state in the period before she vanished. While police have noted that Amy may have been experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of her disappearance, investigators continue to review testimony from those closest to her — family, friends, neighbors, and anyone who interacted with her in the days prior — to piece together exactly what happened inside the house and in the hours that followed.

Oakland Police Department has classified Amy as “at risk” due to an undisclosed medical condition and continues to treat the case as a missing persons investigation. As of April 14, 2026, there is no evidence of abduction or foul play, but authorities stress that every lead is being pursued. A $10,000 reward has now been offered by the family for any information that leads to Amy’s safe return. Chris Hillyard stated, “We truly believe someone out there has seen Amy, may know where she is, or has information that could help bring her home.”

The community response has been remarkable. Hundreds of volunteers have participated in searches around Lake Merritt, Dimond Park, Dimond Canyon trails, and surrounding neighborhoods. Candlelight vigils have been held, flyers distributed, and social media campaigns launched under the banner “Bring Amy Home.” Farley’s Coffee, the business Amy helped build and nurture with Chris, has become a focal point of support. Customers and staff remember her warmth, her ability to “bring out everyone’s superpowers,” and her dedication to creating a welcoming space. Chris has described Amy as the “lynchpin” of their family, someone who made him a better person and was always there for others.

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In a recent video message, Chris spoke directly to the public, acknowledging the “unbearable” pain of her absence while expressing continued hope. “My daughters and I, of course, love Amy unconditionally. We’re suffering, and we just want her to come home,” he said. He highlighted how the outpouring of community support has given the family strength during an incredibly difficult time. The family maintains a dedicated website (bringamyhome.com) with updates, ways to help, and information on ongoing search efforts.

This case has sparked important conversations in the Bay Area about mental health awareness, the hidden struggles many people face even while appearing to manage daily life, and the challenges of supporting loved ones through grief and anxiety. Amy’s story resonates because she was deeply embedded in her community — not only as a business owner but as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. She also served as board president of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, further illustrating her commitment to local causes.

Mental health resources have been prominently featured in coverage of the case. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting “HOME” to 741741.

As searches continue and investigators review every detail — including the emotional context provided by family testimony — the Hillyard family clings to hope. They have requested additional searches and urged residents in Cleveland Heights, the Lakeshore District, Crocker Highlands, and nearby areas to check home security camera footage from March 25 onward.

Amy Hillyard’s disappearance serves as a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change and how important it is to pay attention to subtle signs of struggle in those we love. Her relatives’ concerns, including the details of that unsettling late-night phone call, add emotional weight to an already mysterious timeline. While the strange gap in time on March 25 remains a focus, the broader picture emerging is one of a woman who was fighting hard to heal while surrounded by love and support.

The family, friends, and community continue their tireless efforts, believing that someone, somewhere, holds the key to bringing Amy home safely. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Oakland Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (510) 238-3641. Tips can also be submitted anonymously.

In the words of those who know her best, Amy has a unique ability to uplift others. Now, the community she helped strengthen is rallying to do the same for her — searching, hoping, and refusing to give up until answers arrive and Amy is reunited with her loved ones.