Two Weeks On, Family of Missing Oakland Café Owner Amy Hillyard Pleads for Answers as Search Intensifies
OAKLAND, Calif. — The disappearance of beloved local business owner Amy Hillyard has left a community reeling and a family clinging to hope. It has been over two weeks since the 52-year-old co-owner of Farley's Coffee was last seen near her Oakland home, and the exhaustive search for answers is only growing.
"The void she has left is immense," Chris Hillyard, Amy's husband, told reporters, his voice strained. "We are suffering, but we are not giving up. We cannot." He described his wife as the family's anchor, a woman whose unique gift was "bringing out the best in everyone."
Hillyard was last seen on the afternoon of March 25 in the 500 block of Radnor Road. According to the Oakland Police Department, she is considered "at risk due to medical conditions." She was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, light jeans, and distinctive white sneakers with black stripes.
What began as a local missing person case has since galvanized the Bay Area. The dedicated website, BringAmyHome.com, now coordinates a force of nearly 400 volunteers. They have combed parks like Dimond Park—where a video placed her later on the day she vanished—posted flyers across multiple counties, and scoured countless hours of surveillance footage.
"Community was everything to Amy," Chris Hillyard said in a recent video update, acknowledging the staggering volunteer effort. "She loved to bring people together. Now, that community is showing up for her."
Beyond her role at Farley's, a neighborhood staple with locations in Oakland and San Francisco, Hillyard was deeply involved in her daughter's choir and local events. Her absence has created a ripple effect of concern far beyond her immediate circle.
"The pain of not having her here is, at times, unbearable," Chris confessed. Yet, amid the anguish, the family's resolve remains. "People ask how we get through the day. We focus on finding her. They haven't given up on Amy, and neither will we."
The Oakland Police Department's investigation remains active, though officials have not released new details. The volunteer-led search continues daily, driven by a community determined to see one of its own return home safely.
Community Voices:
"As a fellow small business owner here in Temescal, this hits too close to home. Amy's café is more than a shop; it's a community hub. The scale of the volunteer response speaks volumes about her character. We're all holding our breath and checking the updates constantly." — David Chen, neighbor and local store owner.
"The police need to be more transparent. Two weeks with no major leads in a case like this? It's frightening. The community is doing the footwork while we wait for official answers. What more needs to happen for this to be a top priority?" — Maya Rodriguez, community advocate and volunteer searcher.
"My heart just breaks for her daughters. I see them at the search center, trying to be so strong. This kind of uncertainty is a special kind of torture for a family. We're all praying for a miracle." — Rev. Samuel Greene, a local pastor assisting the family.
"It's terrifying. It makes you realize how fragile everything is. One ordinary afternoon, and then... nothing. If it can happen to someone like Amy, so well-known and connected, it feels like it could happen to anyone. The authorities need to do more, now." — Rebecca Shaw, a regular at Farley's and concerned resident.