TV & Movies

Sherri Papini’s Supporters: Believers and Doubters of Her Kidnapping Story

In an upcoming Investigation Discovery documentary Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie, the infamous kidnap hoaxer Sherri Papini presents a different perspective. Have those closest to her gained new insights into the events of 2016?

At 42, Papini was jogging near her home in Redding, California, on November 2, 2016, when she disappeared. Her case attracted national media attention, leading to widespread concern and the question, “Where is Sherri?” The answer surfaced 22 days later when a motorist found her, approximately 150 miles from home, walking in a parking lot. She appeared emaciated, with a chain around her waist and signs of burns and bruises, as well as a brand on her right shoulder.

According to her initial report, she claimed that two Hispanic women kidnapped her at gunpoint. However, inconsistencies arose: Detectives discovered male DNA on her clothing that did not match her husband, Keith Papini, but belonged to an ex-boyfriend, James Reyes. In a interview, Reyes recounted that Sherri had been at his Costa Mesa, California, apartment for the entirety of those three weeks, asserting he thought he was aiding her escape from an abusive marriage. He maintained that any harm she experienced was inflicted at her request, stating, “I didn’t kidnap her.”

Papini eventually recanted her original account and pled guilty in April 2022 to charges of making false statements to a federal officer and mail fraud. She served just under 11 months of an 18-month prison sentence before her release in 2023 and was ordered to pay over $300,000 in restitution for costs incurred during the extensive search for her.

Related: Bombshell Interview: Sherri Papini Now Denies Hoax, Names Her Abductor

The Sherri Papini case stands out in true crime history. She provides her first on-camera interview since admitting to the hoax in Investigation Discovery’s two-night series Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie, revealing shocking insights.

In the series, Papini alters her narrative once more, claiming Reyes was her abductor. She acknowledges their emotional affair and her plans to meet him on November 2 but insists she did not leave willingly: “There was no consent. And he still did it. The injuries that occurred. The bites on my inner and outer thigh. The footprint on my back. The brand. The melting of my skin. I can’t do that myself, and I am telling you, there was no consent.”

Her therapist, Dr. Stephen Diggs, who specializes in personality disorder treatment, expresses belief in her claims. A recent polygraph offers some partial support, but how do her loved ones feel? Continue reading for reactions from her family and close friends.

Parents Richard and Loretta Graeff

Sherri Pappini YouTube/Investigation Discovery

Papini has been living with her parents, strengthening their previously strained relationship. However, when asked directly, “Do you feel like you know today what happened with Sherri?” her father, Richard Graeff, simply responds, “You’d have to ask Sherri.”

Her mother, Loretta Graeff, offers a clearer viewpoint, noting the troubled dynamics: “When James showed up and Sherri went with him, it wasn’t a kidnapping. It was more about seeking happiness amidst hardship. I completely understand that, having had two marriages before Richard. She needed to escape from [Keith]. She would never abandon her children, but it wasn’t a kidnapping.”

Loretta acknowledges that while Reyes bears some responsibility, she believes it’s implausible for Sherri to have orchestrated everything alone. “How do you brand your own back?” she wonders. Her father adds, “I don’t think it turned out the way she planned.”

When signing her plea agreement admitting to the hoax, a “deeply ashamed” Papini expressed her sorrow for the pain caused to her family, friends, and countless others who suffered.

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With Sherri Papini’s hoax and the documentaries on Scott Peterson’s conviction, 2024 is set to showcase a true crime surge, especially from platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Investigation Discovery, however, is making its mark too.

Former Sister-in-Law Suzanne Papini

Suzanne Papini, Keith’s sister, admits she and her brother aren’t particularly close. “I don’t know Keith very well as an adult,” she reflects, noting that Sherri felt more like a sibling to her. Suzanne cared for Sherri during a challenging time, and now, after Sherri’s divorce from Keith in May 2023, she displays emotional ties to her former sister-in-law. “I don’t need to believe anyone to believe in them,” Suzanne states.

Regarding the events of November 2, 2016, Suzanne supports the notion that Sherri was unaware of the day’s potential developments. “I believe she thought they were going on a daytime date. He knew where she would be because they were in contact. But I physically saw her brokenness—she had no history of being into physically abusive sexual practices. If she had orchestrated this, shouldn’t he face consequences for what happened?”

While Reyes, who passed a polygraph, faced no charges, he’s mentioned in the new documentary, where he acknowledges awareness of the latest allegations and states he plans to consult his lawyer in California.

Related: Sherri Papini to Break Silence in New True Crime Series: What to Know

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Sherri Papini is preparing to discuss her 2016 case and its viral repercussions for the first time. Tune into the new Investigation Discovery series scheduled for release in 2025, where she’ll share her story. “Her disappearance captured global attention, and her return garnered even more,” Jason reports.

Sister Sheila Koester

Hulu

Papini’s older sister, Sheila Koester, has stood by her even after Sherri recanted her kidnapping story. While Sheila didn’t participate in Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie, she shared her thoughts in Hulu’s Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, released in 2024.

“I wish she had made different choices. I think she craved attention being at home. She always wanted to feel significant,” Koester explained. “Due to the trauma we experienced as children, Sherri often sought positive love and attention, leading to exaggeration and a lack of honesty.”

When asked if she still loved Sherri, Sheila responded, “That love will never fade. A sibling’s bond is eternal. I still can’t comprehend why she chose this path or if I ever will.”

The four-hour Sherri Papini: Caught in the Lie airs on Investigation Discovery on Monday, May 26, and Tuesday, May 27, at 9 PM ET. Episodes will also be available for streaming on Max.

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