A POSSIBLE SIGHTING: Authorities Confirm Witness Report of Woman Matching Amy Hillyard’s Description — Just Minutes Before Distant Camera Captures Lone Figure Crossing the Street

As the search for missing Oakland café owner Amy Hillyard reaches nearly three weeks, a new lead has emerged: authorities have received a report from a witness who saw a woman matching Amy’s description walking alone in the neighborhood that afternoon — only minutes before a nearby surveillance camera recorded a lone figure crossing the street in the distance.

This potential sighting adds a fresh layer to the already complex timeline of March 25, 2026, and has prompted investigators to re-examine footage and canvass the area once more for confirmation.

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The Witness Account and the Distant Camera Clip

According to updates from the Oakland Police Department (OPD), the witness described seeing a woman who closely resembled Amy Hillyard — approximately 5’4”, 120 lbs, with blonde hair and wearing light-colored or tan clothing — walking by herself in the Cleveland Heights / Dimond area during the critical afternoon hours. The sighting occurred just minutes prior to a separate camera capturing a lone figure in the distance crossing a street.

While the distant footage does not provide a clear facial identification, the timing, location, clothing, and solitary nature of the figure align with Amy’s known movements. Police are treating the report seriously and are working to corroborate it with additional video from private doorbell cameras, business security systems, and any other sources in the vicinity.

This development comes as investigators continue to focus on the narrow time windows and gaps in surveillance coverage around Radnor Road, Lake Merritt, and Dimond Park.

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Recap of Amy’s Known Movements on March 25

Amy, 52, co-owner of Farley’s Coffee (with locations in Oakland and San Francisco), left her home in the 500 block of Radnor Road around 2:00 p.m. for what was expected to be a short walk. She left her cell phone, wallet, and other belongings behind. Later surveillance placed her in the vicinity of Dimond Park around 4:30 p.m., where she was seen walking alone along familiar streets and paths.

The possible new witness sighting fits within or near this afternoon window, potentially helping to fill in gaps between her departure from Radnor Road and the Dimond Park footage. No signs of distress or interaction with others were reported in the known clips or the witness description.

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Amy Hillyard: Community Pillar Facing Personal Challenges

Amy and her husband Chris built Farley’s Coffee into a warm gathering place for locals. Beyond the business, Amy worked as a consultant and was actively involved in family life and the community. She is remembered as kind, energetic, and someone with a remarkable ability to bring out the best in people.

At the time of her disappearance, Amy was navigating mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety following the loss of a close friend and one of the family’s dogs. She had attended a therapy appointment earlier that day and was on medication. OPD has classified her as “at risk” due to a medical condition, and her family has stressed that she may appear disoriented.

Chris Hillyard recently released a public video message, sharing the family’s deep pain while expressing gratitude to volunteers and hope for Amy’s safe return. He described the situation as “unbearable” for him and their two daughters but emphasized Amy’s resilience and the community’s support.

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Search Efforts Continue with Renewed Focus

Volunteers and law enforcement teams from Oakland PD and the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office have conducted multiple searches in Dimond Park, its wooded trails, and nearby areas such as Skyline Gate at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. Friends and family have spent hours reviewing private surveillance footage, checking BART stations, and distributing flyers.

The possible sighting has energized the effort, with calls for anyone in the Cleveland Heights, Dimond, or surrounding neighborhoods to review doorbell and security camera footage from March 25, particularly in the mid-to-late afternoon.

Candlelight vigils and community support have highlighted the deep affection for Amy and the café she helped create.

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Why This Lead Matters

In a case marked by ordinary afternoon movements turning mysterious — with cars found nearby, gaps in camera coverage, and a 15-minute window of disappearance — even a distant or partial sighting can be crucial. The alignment in timing and description between the witness report and the lone figure on camera offers a potential new thread for investigators to follow.

No evidence of foul play has been publicly confirmed, and authorities continue to keep all possibilities open while prioritizing Amy’s safety given her medical situation.

How You Can Help

If you have any information about Amy Hillyard’s whereabouts, or video footage from March 25 in the Cleveland Heights, Radnor Road, Dimond Park, or nearby areas, please contact the Oakland Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit immediately at (510) 238-3641.

Description recap: Amy Hillyard, 52-year-old white female, 5’4”, 120 lbs, blonde hair, hazel eyes. Last seen wearing a tan-colored top and tan pants (some reports note a white short-sleeved top, light-colored jeans, and white sneakers with black stripes). She may appear disoriented.

The Bay Area community that Amy helped strengthen through her café and her kindness remains united in hope. This possible sighting, though still under verification, reminds everyone how vital even the smallest observation can be.

Every checked camera, every shared flyer, and every tip brings the family closer to answers. If you saw something that afternoon — a woman walking alone who might have been Amy — please come forward. Amy Hillyard’s safe return is what her loved ones and the wider community are praying for.