Missing for 10 Days: The Mysterious Disappearance of Café Owner Amy Hillyard in Oakland

On March 25, 2026, Amy Hillyard, a 52-year-old beloved café owner and mother of two from Oakland’s Cleveland Heights neighborhood, stepped out for what was supposed to be a short afternoon walk. She never returned home. As days turned into weeks, her case has gripped the Bay Area community, raising urgent questions about what happened during those ordinary hours in a familiar neighborhood.

Amy Hillyard co-owns Farley’s Coffee (also known as Farley’s East), a popular spot with locations in Oakland and San Francisco. Known for its warm atmosphere and quality brews, the café has long been a community hub. Amy was not just a businesswoman; she was a consultant who had worked with major companies like Apple, Gap, and Electronic Arts, and she was deeply involved in her family and local life. Her sudden vanishing has left friends, customers, and neighbors stunned.

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A Routine Afternoon Turns Mysterious

According to Oakland Police Department (OPD) reports, Amy was last seen around 2:00 p.m. on the 500 block of Radnor Road in Cleveland Heights, near Lake Merritt. She left her cell phone at home, which immediately heightened concern when her husband, Chris Hillyard, realized she had not returned. Early reports described her wearing a tan-colored top and tan pants. She is 5’4” tall, weighs about 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

Later surveillance footage placed her near Dimond Park around 4:30 p.m. that same day. In the clip, she appears alone, walking past a camera in what seems like an ordinary moment. Then, as one report dramatically described, “the sidewalk behind her suddenly empty.” Police have reviewed more than 50 surveillance cameras in the area, but no clear explanation has emerged for how she seemingly vanished from view after that point. She was reportedly alone, with no immediate signs of distress or foul play captured on video.

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A woman walks past street barriers and surveillance CCTV cameras in the City of London, UK — highlighting the presence of security infrastructure in the capital’s financial district Stock Photo – Alamy

The neighborhood around Radnor Road and Cleveland Heights is a mix of residential streets, greenery, and proximity to parks and trails—areas where locals often walk dogs or enjoy short outings. Dimond Park, with its wooded trails and open spaces, became a focal point for searches.

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Best hikes and trails in Dimond Park | AllTrails

Who Is Amy Hillyard? A Pillar of the Community

Amy and her husband Chris built Farley’s Coffee into a cherished local business. The Oakland location serves as a gathering place for residents, while the San Francisco spot extends their reach. Beyond coffee, Amy ran a consulting practice, helping organizations with leadership and strategy. She is remembered as someone with a “superpower” for bringing out the best in people—kind, energetic, and community-oriented.

Family photos show a smiling woman with warm eyes, often captured in everyday moments. Her disappearance has prompted an outpouring of support, with posters appearing in shop windows and on social media.

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The Search Efforts: Community and Law Enforcement Unite

Oakland Police classified Amy as “at risk” due to an undisclosed medical condition. Her husband later shared that she had been navigating mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, following the loss of a close family friend and one of their dogs. On the day she disappeared, the couple had breakfast together, and Chris drove her to a train station so she could attend a therapy appointment in Walnut Creek. She was reportedly dealing with “intense feelings of sadness” amid caregiving responsibilities and recent grief.

Volunteers—hundreds strong—have joined official searches. On April 2, teams including Oakland PD and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office searched Dimond Park trails. Door-to-door canvassing in neighborhoods like Cleveland Heights, Lake Merritt, Lakeshore, and Crocker Highlands has focused on collecting private surveillance footage. Investigators have also reviewed BART transit videos in hopes of spotting her. A dedicated website, bringamyhome.com (or similar family pages), has shared updates, including thanks to volunteers on Easter Sunday.

abc7news.com

Amy Hillyard: Search continues for missing Oakland coffee shop owner last seen in Dimond Park area – ABC7 San Francisco

Candlelight vigils have been held, including one at Lake Merritt, where friends and family expressed hope while urging the public to check doorbell cameras and remain vigilant.

The Eerie Surveillance Detail and Ongoing Questions

The surveillance clip from near Dimond Park stands out as particularly haunting. Amy walks into frame and past the lens—then the area behind her appears empty in subsequent moments. With over 50 cameras reviewed, authorities have pieced together her movements but hit a wall after that point. No confirmed sightings have surfaced since March 25. Her phone left behind rules out simple communication, and the absence of immediate evidence of abduction or accident has fueled both worry and speculation.

Chris Hillyard has spoken publicly in recent days, releasing a video about the search and describing the family’s pain. He and their two daughters (one in college) are “suffering” while holding onto hope. He emphasized Amy’s resilience and the community’s role in bringing her home.

Why This Case Resonates So Deeply

Disappearances like Amy’s highlight vulnerabilities even in familiar, upscale neighborhoods. A short walk in broad daylight can turn into a mystery when someone is facing personal struggles. Mental health challenges, medical conditions, and the limits of surveillance technology all play roles here. The Bay Area’s dense camera network has helped in many cases, but gaps remain—especially in greener, less urbanized park areas.

The community response has been remarkable: from coffee shop regulars posting flyers to volunteers hiking trails and logging tips. Farley’s has become a symbol of the life Amy helped build, with posters displayed prominently.

nbcbayarea.com

Search continues for missing Oakland mom and business owner

What You Can Do to Help

Anyone with information about Amy Hillyard’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Oakland Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (510) 238-3641. Tips about sightings on March 25 afternoon, particularly in the Cleveland Heights, Dimond Park, or Lake Merritt areas, are critical. Residents with home or business security cameras from that day should review footage, even if it seems unrelated.

Description recap: 52-year-old white female, 5’4”, 120 lbs, blonde hair, hazel eyes. Last seen wearing a white short-sleeved top or tan top with light-colored jeans/tan pants and white sneakers with black stripes in some accounts. She may be disoriented due to her medical condition.

As of mid-April 2026, more than two weeks have passed since Amy vanished. Searches continue, hope persists, but the clock is ticking. The empty sidewalk in that final clip serves as a stark reminder: ordinary moments can hide extraordinary mysteries.

The Bay Area is rallying around one of its own. If you saw something—or know someone who might have—please speak up. Amy Hillyard’s family, friends, and the wider community are waiting for answers and, above all, for her safe return.