It has been over eight years since Sherri Papini, once labeled a “super mom,” reported her own kidnapping while jogging near her Redding, California, home. This claim set off a massive 22-day search in November 2016 that gripped the nation. Her husband, Keith Papini, returned home from work to find her missing, initiating a frantic search for his wife. Sherri’s mysterious reappearance on Thanksgiving Day, battered and bruised, only deepened the intrigue.
Initially, the focus was on finding her supposed female abductors. However, years of investigation revealed a shocking truth: Sherri Papini’s kidnapping was an elaborate hoax. In 2022, she was arrested for making false statements and mail fraud. Keith Papini, profoundly impacted by this deception, filed for divorce and custody of their children. Sherri served time in jail and a halfway house, while Keith began the difficult process of rebuilding his life. His perspective is now shared in the Hulu docuseries, Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, which premiered on ABC in January 2024.
This raises a crucial question: Where Is Keith Papini Now? How has Sherri Papini’s fabricated disappearance affected him, and what does his life look like today? This article delves into Keith Papini’s journey since the hoax, exploring his life, his reactions, and his path forward.
The Papinis Before the Storm: A Look into Their Early Life
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Image: A heartwarming family portrait of Keith and Sherri Papini with their two young children, capturing a moment of happiness before the turmoil of the kidnapping hoax.
Before the whirlwind of the kidnapping hoax, Keith and Sherri Papini appeared to be living a typical suburban life in Redding, California. Their history traces back to middle school, and after reconnecting in 2006, they married in 2009. Their family grew with the arrival of their son, Tyler, and daughter, Violet.
Keith was employed as an audiovisual specialist at Best Buy, providing a stable income for the family. Sherri’s professional background included a role as an account executive at AT&T, according to The Sacramento Bee. After being laid off from AT&T, Sherri transitioned to being a stay-at-home mother, dedicating her time to raising their children.
Keith often described Sherri as a devoted and highly organized mother. In a 20/20 interview, he praised her as a “super mom,” highlighting her ability to manage the children’s schedules, meals, and daily activities meticulously. This image of a perfect family and dedicated mother was shattered by the events that unfolded in November 2016.
The Disappearance of Sherri Papini: A Husband’s Ordeal
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Image: Sherri Papini pictured in a photo used during the GoFundMe campaign, projecting an image of a missing and vulnerable woman.
November 2, 2016, began like any other day. Keith recalled seeing Sherri around 7 a.m. before leaving for work. Sherri dropped their children at daycare and texted Keith mid-morning to ask about lunch plans. Neighbors reported seeing her jogging around 11 a.m., the last confirmed sighting before her disappearance. Keith believed she had gone for a run and been abducted.
Returning home from work that evening, Keith was immediately struck by the unusual silence. His children weren’t there to greet him. His search for Sherri began frantically at home and in their yard. Using his iPhone to track her location, he found her phone near their mailbox, about a mile from their house. Sherri and the children were nowhere to be found.
After contacting Sherri’s mother and the daycare, confirming his worst fears, Keith discovered Sherri’s phone in the grass near the mailbox. Her headphones, tangled with blonde hair, lay nearby, suggesting a struggle. He immediately called 911, initiating a large-scale search for the missing “super mom.”
Keith Papini’s Reaction: From Fear to Confusion
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Image: A poignant photograph of a missing person sign for Sherri Papini, symbolizing the community’s desperate hope and the agonizing uncertainty surrounding her disappearance.
The authorities and the Redding community mobilized swiftly to find Sherri. Friends, family, and volunteers joined the search efforts. For weeks, Keith tirelessly participated in the search, while investigators pursued leads, reviewed security footage, and analyzed communication records.
Initially, investigators considered various scenarios, including kidnapping and voluntary disappearance. Keith himself was briefly considered a suspect, but he voluntarily took a polygraph test and was cleared. Despite the uncertainty and public speculation, Keith remained steadfast in his pleas for Sherri’s safe return, making numerous media appearances to raise awareness.
Keith described his agonizing wait during a 20/20 interview. His thoughts were consumed by Sherri’s well-being: “I’m just wondering about her health. Are they feeding her? Is she hot? Is she cold? … I thought about her being there screaming my name, and I wasn’t there and that really … got to me.”
Then, 22 days after her disappearance, Sherri mysteriously reappeared. In the early hours of Thanksgiving Day 2016, a passerby spotted Sherri on a rural road near Sacramento, about 150 miles from Redding, and contacted the police. Authorities found Sherri restrained and contacted Keith. He heard his wife’s voice for the first time in weeks.
“I get the phone and, [said], ‘Oh my God, honey.’ And of course she’s screaming,” he recounted on 20/20. “It’s very emotional. And, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you, Oh my God, you’re here. You’re back. Where are you?’ … I’m panicked but I’m happy because at this point this is the first time I’ve heard her voice. I know she’s alive.”
Sherri was hospitalized and treated for her injuries, which included bruises, burns, and significant weight loss. Keith described the horrific sight of his wife in a hospital bed, detailing her injuries in a statement to PEOPLE, “My first sight was my wife in a hospital bed. Her face covered in bruises ranging from yellow to black because of her repeated beatings. The bridge of her nose broken,” Keith wrote. “She has been branded and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers.” Sherri returned home to begin what was believed to be a long recovery.
The Unraveling: Keith’s World Crumbles with the Hoax Revelation
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Image: An older photograph of Sherri and Keith Papini together, representing a time of perceived marital harmony before the devastating revelation of the kidnapping hoax.
Following Sherri’s return, investigators began to piece together her account of abduction by two Hispanic women. She claimed she had been held captive, abused, and even branded. However, inconsistencies and doubts began to emerge.
Despite growing skepticism in the media and among authorities, Keith initially stood by Sherri. He dismissed rumors and assumptions as “exhausting and disgusting.” In 2024, he told PEOPLE, “Sherri wrote me songs. She wrote me cards. I felt loved and even if that wasn’t true, I didn’t see how it’s possible she would leave the kids.” He genuinely struggled to believe his wife could deceive him and their children in such a manner.
The turning point in the investigation came with DNA evidence found on Sherri’s clothing. This DNA was eventually linked to James Reyes, an ex-boyfriend of Sherri. In 2020, Reyes confessed to helping Sherri “run away,” claiming she had alleged abuse by Keith. Reyes detailed how Sherri had stayed at his apartment in Costa Mesa, California, during the 22 days she was supposedly kidnapped. He stated that she intentionally lost weight, cut her hair, and inflicted injuries upon herself to support her fabricated story.
The revelation shattered Keith’s world. He had been living a lie for years, enduring immense emotional distress and public scrutiny, all based on a fabrication.
Keith Papini’s Reaction to the Hoax: “I’m the Idiot Husband”
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Image: Sherri Papini pictured leaving the federal courthouse, a visual representation of the legal consequences of her elaborate kidnapping hoax and the public exposure of her deception.
In August 2020, authorities confronted Sherri with the evidence, but she initially maintained her false narrative. However, in March 2022, the truth became undeniable when Sherri Papini was arrested and charged with making false statements and mail fraud. She had also fraudulently received over $30,000 in victim assistance funds.
The same day as Sherri’s arrest, investigators informed Keith of the devastating truth. His raw reaction was captured on video and shown on a 20/20 episode. “I’m the idiot husband that stayed around the whole time,” Keith said to investigators. “Now you are telling me, ‘OK, you can go home now,’ Well, do you think I want her anywhere around my kids or around me at all at this point?” He expressed shock and disbelief, stating, “It’s not us together. I can tell you that much. I’m in shock.”
Keith recounted to PEOPLE in 2024 the immediate aftermath of the revelation. He initially kicked Sherri out of their home but allowed her to return briefly. However, the trust was irrevocably broken. He described Sherri’s continued denials, even in the face of overwhelming evidence.
Sherri was released on bail and eventually signed a plea agreement, admitting guilt to lying to a federal officer and mail fraud. In September 2022, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Divorce and Custody: Rebuilding Life for Keith and His Children
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Image: A solitary image of Sherri Papini, symbolizing her separation from her family and the world as she faced the repercussions of her fabricated kidnapping.
In April 2022, shortly after Sherri’s arrest and guilty plea, Keith Papini filed for divorce, seeking sole custody of their children. His priority was to create a stable and loving environment for Tyler and Violet, away from the turmoil Sherri had created. In a statement to PEOPLE, he emphasized his commitment to his children’s well-being.
Temporary custody was granted to Keith during the divorce proceedings. The divorce was finalized in May 2023, officially ending Keith and Sherri’s marriage. Keith has since maintained sole custody of their children, with Sherri allowed monthly supervised visits. He has stated that he only communicates with Sherri through legal channels.
Where is Keith Papini Now? A Father Focused on the Future
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Image: Keith Papini during his ’20/20′ interview, offering a public glimpse into his resilience and his determination to move forward after the ordeal.
So, where is Keith Papini now? Today, Keith Papini is focused on raising his children and rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of Sherri’s deception. He has spoken about the trauma inflicted on his children by Sherri’s actions, emphasizing the long-lasting impact of her hoax on their family.
In a statement after Sherri’s sentencing, Keith expressed his determination to move forward and provide his children with a normal, healthy, and happy life. He has full custody of Tyler and Violet and is dedicated to creating a supportive and loving environment for them.
During a June 2024 20/20 appearance, Keith shared that his children are “thriving” in school and involved in activities like basketball and dance. He is committed to giving them a positive childhood, acknowledging that the ordeal with Sherri will always be a part of their family history.
While Keith admits he may never fully understand Sherri’s motives, he has found a measure of peace in accepting the unknown. His focus is resolutely on the present and future, dedicated to nurturing his children and healing from the deep wounds of betrayal and deceit. Keith Papini’s story is one of resilience, highlighting his strength in navigating an unimaginable situation and his unwavering commitment to his children’s well-being.
Where Is Sherri Papini Now? What to Know About Her Life After 2016 Kidnapping Hoax
