Private Investigators Hunt for New Surveillance Footage in Disappearance of Bay Area Mom Amy Hillyard.
The baffling disappearance of Amy Hillyard, a 52-year-old beloved mother of two, wife, and co-owner of the popular Farley’s Coffee in San Francisco, continues to grip the Bay Area community months after she vanished while walking her dog in Oakland. As leads grow cold, the family has hired private investigators who are now urgently appealing for new surveillance videos from neighborhoods around her last known location, believing critical clues remain hidden in overlooked footage.
Hillyard was last seen on March 25, 2026, in the 500 block of Radnor Road in Oakland. She left her home after returning from a therapy appointment, texted her husband Chris around 1:40 p.m. to say she was home, and shortly afterward took their dog for a walk. Surveillance video captured her speaking briefly with a neighbor before she disappeared. When Chris returned home around 3:15 p.m., he found her cellphone, keys, and personal belongings on the kitchen counter with the back door open — but no sign of Amy or the dog.
The case was classified as “at risk due to medical conditions” from the start. Hillyard had been facing significant mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression following several personal losses. She had recently sought professional help and started medication. Despite this, her family and friends describe her as energetic, compassionate, and deeply involved in her community through her coffee shop and family life.
With Oakland Police maintaining there is no evidence of foul play or abduction at this time, the family turned to private investigators Steve Fischer and Steve Gelinske of Search Investigations, LLC, funded through a successful GoFundMe campaign. The team is conducting a focused search using drones, door-to-door inquiries, and now a renewed push for surveillance video from specific areas.
“With 100% certainty, I believe there is a piece of surveillance that contains a clue,” Fischer stated. The investigators are requesting footage from Wednesday, March 25, after 2 p.m., from neighborhoods including Cleveland Heights, Park Boulevard corridor, MacArthur Boulevard vicinity, Trestle Glen, and Crocker Highlands. They want videos regardless of whether they show people or activity — even previously reviewed footage or recordings showing no movement could prove valuable.
The appeal comes as the community rallies around the Hillyard family. Vigils have been held, and volunteers have spent countless hours mapping areas, searching park trails, and canvassing homes. The family maintains a dedicated site, BringAmyHome.com, to coordinate efforts and share updates. Amy’s husband Chris has spoken publicly about her mental health journey, offering insight while emphasizing hope that she is still alive and could be found.
Amy Hillyard is described as 5-foot-4, approximately 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a tan top and tan pants. Her disappearance has shaken the Bay Area’s close-knit coffee and fitness communities, where she was known for her warmth and entrepreneurial spirit. Farley’s Coffee remains a beloved local spot, and supporters continue to wear ribbons and share her photo in hopes of generating new leads.
This case highlights the challenges of missing persons investigations involving mental health factors. While authorities stress no evidence of crime, the private team is leaving no stone unturned, tracing possible paths she might have taken after leaving home. The use of new technology like drones and targeted video requests represents a fresh approach to uncovering what happened in those critical hours.
The broader Bay Area community has responded with remarkable generosity, raising funds for the investigation and offering time and resources. Friends and business partners describe Amy as a pillar of strength who helped others while quietly battling her own demons. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health support and community vigilance.
As investigators review any new submissions, the family clings to hope. Every piece of footage, no matter how ordinary it seems, could provide the missing link. Police and private teams continue to urge residents with security cameras or Ring doorbells in the specified neighborhoods to check their recordings from that afternoon and submit anything potentially relevant.
The disappearance of Amy Hillyard underscores how quickly everyday routines can turn into mysteries. A simple dog walk in a familiar neighborhood became the last known activity for a devoted mother and business owner. Her case has prompted renewed conversations about supporting loved ones through mental health challenges and the power of community in missing persons searches.
While the investigation remains open and ongoing, the Hillyard family’s determination and the outpouring of support from the Bay Area offer a glimmer of hope. Amy’s vibrant personality, love for her family, and contributions to her community have left an indelible mark. As new videos are sought and analyzed, the collective effort continues in earnest to bring her home.
This prolonged search has also spotlighted the need for better resources and awareness around vulnerable adults. Mental health struggles can affect anyone, even those who appear strong and successful on the surface. Amy’s story encourages open dialogue and proactive care. As the private investigators dig deeper with community help, the Bay Area stands united in hoping for answers and a safe return.