The disappearance of Amy Hillyard, the 52-year-old co-owner of Farley’s Coffee shops in Oakland and San Francisco, has left her family, friends, and the Bay Area community in a state of profound sorrow and uncertainty. As the search enters its third week in mid-April 2026, new details from those closest to her paint a poignant picture of her final hours at home on March 25. A family member recalled that Amy left the house around 1:40 p.m., appearing “quiet and distant,” before heading out toward the familiar neighborhood streets. The lingering memory is of her standing by the door, holding a coffee cup she never finished — a small, everyday detail that now feels hauntingly significant.

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Amy Hillyard, a mother of two daughters, was last seen in the 500 block of Radnor Road in Oakland’s serene Cleveland Heights neighborhood, near Lake Merritt. She stood 5’4″ tall, weighed about 120 pounds, and had blonde hair and hazel eyes. On that Wednesday afternoon, she was wearing a tan-colored top and tan pants (some reports and family descriptions also mention a white short-sleeved shirt, light-colored jeans, and white sneakers with black stripes).

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Cleveland Heights is a leafy, established residential area filled with charming older homes, sloping streets, and a strong sense of community. The Hillyard family home sits in this peaceful setting, where neighbors often greet one another and daily routines feel predictable. Yet on March 25, that ordinary rhythm was shattered.

According to detailed accounts shared by her husband Chris Hillyard in recent interviews with the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets, the day started normally enough. The couple shared breakfast at home. Chris then dropped Amy off at a nearby BART station so she could attend a therapy appointment in Walnut Creek. She texted him around 1:40 p.m. to let him know she had returned home safely, and credit card records confirmed the round-trip transit fare. Shortly after arriving, she took their dog for a walk and was even seen chatting briefly with a neighbor on her way back — moments captured on nearby surveillance footage.

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A family member’s recollection adds emotional depth to this timeline. Amy appeared “quiet and distant” as she prepared to leave the house around that 1:40 p.m. window. The image that lingers most vividly is of her pausing by the door, coffee cup in hand — a simple morning ritual left unfinished. This detail, combined with her subdued demeanor, has stayed with loved ones as they grapple with the sudden shift from routine to mystery. When Chris returned home around 3:15 p.m., he found the back door open and Amy’s personal belongings — her cellphone, car keys, wallet, and handbag — left behind on the kitchen counter. Her absence was immediate cause for alarm.

A critical gap remains in the timeline between her return from the dog walk and the discovery at home. Surveillance video later placed Amy near Dimond Park and the entrance to Dimond Canyon around 4:30 p.m. that same afternoon. The park and its adjacent hiking trails, with their dense foliage, winding paths, and natural seclusion, have become focal points of extensive volunteer and law enforcement searches.

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Chris Hillyard has spoken publicly about the emotional struggles his wife was facing in the months leading up to March 25. Amy had been recovering from depression and anxiety triggered by multiple losses — the death of a close family friend, the passing of one of their beloved dogs, and the heavy demands of providing intensive caregiving for relatives. She was actively seeking help, attending therapy, and taking prescribed medication. Chris emphasized that she was “doing all the right things to heal” and expressed hope that she is still alive. “We won’t stop searching for Amy until we have answers,” he said in a recent interview. “We believe she is still alive.”

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Farley’s Coffee, the business Amy helped build and nurture with Chris, stands as a testament to her warmth and community spirit. With locations in Oakland and San Francisco’s Potrero Hill, the cafés have long been gathering spots for locals drawn to the welcoming atmosphere and quality coffee. Friends and customers remember Amy as someone with a special “superpower” — the ability to bring out the best in people and make everyone feel seen. She also served as board president of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, further illustrating her deep ties to local causes and her role as a devoted mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend.

The community response has been extraordinary. Hundreds of volunteers have joined organized searches in Dimond Park, Dimond Canyon trails, around Lake Merritt, and other nearby areas. Candlelight vigils, flyer distributions, and social media campaigns under “Bring Amy Home” have mobilized support across the Bay Area. The family maintains a dedicated website (bringamyhome.com) with updates, photos, and ways to assist. In early April, the Hillyard family announced a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to Amy’s safe return, underscoring their determination and the ongoing nature of the search.

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Oakland Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit has classified Amy as “at risk” due to an undisclosed medical condition. As of April 14, 2026, authorities state there is no evidence of foul play, abduction, or any crime associated with her disappearance. Investigators continue reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and leads, including the critical hours after she left home. Police urge anyone who may have seen Amy on or after March 25 — particularly in the Dimond Park area, along hiking trails, or at BART stops — to come forward.

This case has sparked broader conversations about mental health awareness, the invisible weight many carry while managing daily responsibilities, and the importance of community vigilance. Amy’s story resonates deeply because she was so embedded in the fabric of Oakland and the wider Bay Area — a small business owner who fed and connected thousands, a mother who uplifted her family, and a friend known for her kindness.

Mental health resources have been highlighted throughout 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 also be reached by texting “HOME” to 741741.

More than three weeks after that ordinary morning at home turned into an agonizing mystery, Amy Hillyard’s loved ones continue their tireless efforts. The unfinished coffee cup by the door, her quiet and distant expression, and the subsequent gap in time all form part of a puzzle that investigators, family, and the community are working together to solve.

Chris Hillyard and their daughters have described the pain of her absence as “unbearable,” yet they hold onto hope and gratitude for the overwhelming support. “She is the lynchpin in a lot of our relationships,” one friend noted. “She made me a better person.”

The search for Amy Hillyard remains active. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Oakland Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (510) 238-3641. Tips can also be submitted through the family’s website. In the words of those who know and love her best, Amy has always had a gift for bringing light to others. Now, the community she helped strengthen is rallying with that same light — searching, hoping, and refusing to give up until she is safely home.