New Clues Emerge in Six-Month Search for Missing California Coffee Shop Owner

Six months after her disappearance, new details have emerged in the search for Amy Hillyard, co-owner of San Francisco's Farley's Coffee. Her husband, Chris Hillyard, is sharing information about the ongoing efforts, including the use of drones and the identification of previously unknown hiking routes that Amy Hillyard may have frequented.

Amy Hillyard, 52, was last seen on March 25 walking her dog near Radnor Road in Oakland. The intensive search for her has involved private investigators and community supporters focusing on areas she enjoyed for hiking and walking, utilizing aerial imagery to scan for any potential evidence.

Chris Hillyard described the case as one of the most perplexing his private investigator, Steve Fischer, has encountered. Fischer recently conducted a deep dive into Hillyard's digital devices and applications, uncovering five hiking routes that had not previously been identified by investigators.

These newly discovered routes, located in the vicinity of Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland and extending toward Berkeley, were explored on Amy's devices the day before she vanished. She had reportedly spent approximately 30 minutes researching eight different hiking paths.

Investigators had previously focused on three identified routes, but the digital forensics revealed five additional ones. A team began searching these new trails on Sunday. Fischer noted that most of these routes were familiar to Hillyard, who used hiking as a way to manage anxiety, according to her journal entries. Some of these trails are approximately 6 1/2 to 7 miles long.

Chris Hillyard stated that his wife left her cellphone at home before she disappeared. A reward of $25,000 remains available for information leading to Amy Hillyard's whereabouts. Friends and family have also established the website Bringamyhome.com to provide updates on the search and ways for the public to assist.

Amy Hillyard is described as 5-foot-4, weighing approximately 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She is considered at risk due to a medical condition.