Amy Hillyard, a beloved Bay Area mother of two and co-owner of Farley's Coffee in San Francisco, has been missing for months — and now the family has hired private investigators in an intensified effort to find her.
Background
Hillyard was last seen on March 25 walking her dog near the 500 block of Radnor Road in Oakland. Witnesses reported she was wearing a tan top and tan pants at the time of her disappearance. According to her husband, Chris Hillyard, his wife had visited a therapist that day and texted him around 1:40 p.m. upon returning home from the appointment.
Surveillance video later showed Hillyard taking their dog for a walk and speaking with a neighbor shortly after arriving home. When Chris returned around 3:15 p.m., he found her cellphone, keys, and other personal belongings on the kitchen counter — with the back door open. She has not been seen since.
The disappearance prompted significant concern in the community. A GoFundMe campaign raised enough money for the family to hire Steve Fischer of Search Investigations, LLC as their lead private investigator. Chris Hillyard later shared that his wife had been experiencing mental health challenges following several losses and was prescribed medication for anxiety and depression — factors that contributed to her being classified as "at risk due to a medical condition" when she vanished.
The Investigation
Oakland Police Department investigators have confirmed no evidence of foul play in connection with Hillyard's disappearance. "At present, there is no evidence of abduction, kidnapping, or any other crime associated with her disappearance," the department stated.
The private investigative team, led by Fischer and investigator Steve Gelinske, has taken a methodical approach to the case. According to an update on BringAmyHome.com, investigators have visited buildings in the area to collect "videos from security cameras that were not previously received." They are using drones, retracing potential routes Hillyard may have walked, and conducting door-to-door inquiries with homeowners and building owners.
Fischer expressed confidence that surveillance footage could provide a breakthrough. "With 100% certainty, I believe there is a piece of surveillance that contains a clue," he said in the update.
Investigators are now requesting any surveillance video from residents and business owners in specific Oakland neighborhoods where Hillyard was last seen or may have traveled — specifically asking for footage from March 25 after 2 p.m. The target areas include Cleveland Heights, Park Boulevard corridor, MacArthur Boulevard vicinity, Trestle Glen, and Crocker Highlands.
"Amy’s friends and volunteers have done a remarkable job building maps, going door-to-door, searching park trails," Fischer noted. "We are using the information they gathered to launch a more focused search."
Key Takeaways
- Amy Hillyard, 52, was last seen March 25 walking her dog near the 500 block of Radnor Road in Oakland while wearing tan clothing
- Her husband found her personal belongings on the kitchen counter with the back door open when he returned home around 3:15 p.m.
- The family hired private investigators Steve Fischer and Steve Gelinske after community fundraising efforts
- Investigators are seeking surveillance footage from March 25 after 2 p.m. across five Oakland neighborhoods
- Oakland Police say there is "no evidence to suggest foul play" at this time
What's Next
The investigation continues with authorities urging anyone with surveillance footage — including Ring cameras or building security systems — to come forward, even if the video appears unremarkable. Fischer emphasized that "previously reviewed footage may give investigators critical insight and new information."
Oakland Police detectives remain actively involved in the case while coordinating with the private investigative team. The family has asked for continued public support as efforts persist in bringing Amy Hillyard home.