More than two weeks after Amy Hillyard, the beloved co-owner of Farley’s East coffee shop in Oakland, disappeared from her Cleveland Heights neighborhood, her husband Chris has come forward with a detailed account of the final hours before she went missing. The 52-year-old mother of two, who also co-owns a sister café in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill and runs a consulting practice, was last seen around 2 p.m. on March 25, 2026, near the 500 block of Radnor Road. Police have described her as “at risk” due to an underlying medical condition, and her family continues to plead for the public’s help as volunteer searches expand across the East Bay.

In an exclusive interview and public statements released through a dedicated website (bringamyhome.com), Chris Hillyard provided a poignant timeline of that ordinary Wednesday morning, painting a picture of domestic normalcy that abruptly gave way to unimaginable loss. According to Chris, the couple began the day together at home with a quiet breakfast. He then drove Amy to a nearby BART station so she could travel into the city for work-related matters. Everything appeared routine — no signs of distress, no unusual conversations. Amy was described as someone in the process of recovering from depression and anxiety triggered by the recent death of a close friend and the lingering stresses of running two busy cafés.

Chris recalled dropping her off and heading about his own day, fully expecting to reconnect later. When he returned home that afternoon, however, he found their two dogs inside the house but no sign of Amy. Her cellphone had been left behind, a detail that immediately raised alarms because she rarely went anywhere without it. A neighbor later confirmed seeing Amy walking the dogs earlier that day, but no one reported seeing her after she returned home. The discovery of the abandoned phone and the dogs’ presence without their owner set off a frantic search that has now stretched into its third week.

The Hillyards’ life together revolved around their shared passion for coffee and community. Farley’s East, located in downtown Oakland, had become a neighborhood staple — a warm gathering spot where locals grabbed lattes, worked on laptops, and exchanged friendly conversation. Amy was known not only as a skilled businesswoman but as a warm, engaging presence who remembered customers’ usual orders and took genuine interest in their lives. The couple’s second location in San Francisco further cemented their reputation as dedicated café operators who balanced entrepreneurship with family life. They raised two daughters, and friends describe Amy as a devoted mother who somehow managed the demands of business ownership while staying deeply involved in her children’s lives.

Yet behind the public warmth, Amy had been quietly navigating significant mental health challenges. Chris revealed that she had been recovering from depression and anxiety in the months leading up to her disappearance. The loss of a close friend had hit her particularly hard, compounding the everyday pressures of running two cafés during uncertain economic times. While she continued to show up for work and family with remarkable resilience, those closest to her knew the toll it was taking. Police have emphasized that her medical condition makes her especially vulnerable, possibly leaving her disoriented or in need of assistance if she wandered away.

The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain shrouded in mystery. Amy’s car was later found abandoned, adding another layer of confusion to the case. She was last seen wearing a tan top and tan pants (though some reports have updated this to a white T-shirt, light blue jeans, and white sneakers with a black stripe). Standing at 5-foot-4 and weighing about 120 pounds with blonde hair, Amy is described as approachable and friendly — the type of person who would stop to help someone in need or chat with a neighbor. Her family insists she had never simply “run off” before, making her sudden absence all the more alarming.

As the search entered its second and now third week, Chris Hillyard has been open about the family’s profound pain. “As more time goes by without Amy, the agony of her absence is devastating,” he said in a public statement. “We are still holding on to hope, thanks to Amy’s community of friends and volunteers who continue to search every day. They are a source of strength to our family and me.” He has released video appeals urging the public to remain vigilant, review any surveillance footage from BART stations, surrounding streets, or hiking trails, and report even the smallest tip to authorities.

Volunteers and law enforcement have mobilized on multiple fronts. Search teams have combed favorite spots like Skyline Gate in the Oakland hills, where Amy enjoyed hiking and walking. Hours of surveillance video from BART stations and nearby businesses are being meticulously reviewed. Flyers with Amy’s photo have blanketed the East Bay, and community vigils — including one held near Lake Merritt — have brought together hundreds of supporters holding candles and sharing memories of the kind-hearted café owner.

The case has touched a nerve in the Bay Area, where small businesses like Farley’s represent more than just coffee — they are anchors of neighborhood life. Customers and fellow business owners have expressed shock and sadness, noting how Amy’s warm smile and steady presence made the cafés feel like extensions of home. Her consulting work further highlighted her expertise and dedication to helping other entrepreneurs thrive.

While the family clings to hope that Amy will be found safe, the passage of time weighs heavily. Chris has emphasized that every lead matters, no matter how small. Police continue to treat the disappearance as a high-priority missing person case, with resources from the Oakland Police Department and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office dedicated to the effort.

Amy Hillyard’s story is a stark reminder of how quickly an ordinary day can unravel. A shared breakfast, a routine drop-off at the train station, the simple act of walking the dogs — these everyday moments now stand in painful contrast to the silence that has followed. For a woman who poured her energy into building community through coffee and conversation, the outpouring of support from that same community offers a glimmer of light amid the uncertainty.

As searches continue and the public is asked to remain watchful, Chris Hillyard’s new details serve both as a loving tribute to his wife and a urgent call to action. The family, the cafés’ loyal customers, and the broader Bay Area community refuse to give up hope that Amy will one day walk back through the door of Farley’s East, ready to greet everyone with her familiar smile.

Anyone with information about Amy Hillyard’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Oakland Police Department immediately. In the meantime, those who knew and loved her continue their daily efforts — distributing flyers, reviewing footage, and holding space for the possibility of her safe return.

The agony of not knowing is immense, but so too is the collective determination to bring Amy home.