Amy Hillyard, a 52-year-old co-owner of a popular Oakland coffee shop and mother of two, has been reported missing since the afternoon of March 25, 2026. According to the Oakland Police Department, Hillyard was last seen near her home on Radnor Road in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood, close to Lake Merritt. Officials are treating her case as an urgent search priority, describing her as an at-risk individual due to a medical condition, although specific details about her health were not publicly disclosed.
Neighbors have reported that Hillyard left her home without her cellphone, leading investigators to express concern for her safety. She is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. When she disappeared, Hillyard was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers with a black stripe.
Hillyard’s disappearance has deeply unsettled residents and business patrons in Oakland, where she is widely regarded as a dedicated community member. She co-owns Farley’s coffee shop, a local business that serves as a community hub, and runs a consulting practice advising notable companies including Apple and Gap, according to her website. Moreover, she is actively involved in nonprofit work, serving as the board president of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir.
In a statement, the choir expressed sorrow and concern for Hillyard’s wellbeing, emphasizing her importance to the organization and extending their support to her family and community during this difficult time. Friends and colleagues describe her disappearance as uncharacteristic and urge the public to assist in the search.
Hillyard’s husband also co-manages a second café in San Francisco, highlighting the couple’s established presence within the Bay Area’s small business community. The family has acknowledged the outpouring of support and has appealed for any information that might help locate her.
Authorities are asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Oakland Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (510) 238-3641. With time considered critical in cases involving potentially vulnerable adults, police continue their search, urging the public’s vigilance and cooperation.
Why it matters
Cases involving missing individuals at medical risk highlight ongoing public safety concerns and the importance of rapid response in urban communities. Oakland, known for its tight-knit neighborhoods and active civic engagement, is grappling now with the disappearance of a well-known local leader. The incident underscores the broader challenges that families, law enforcement, and communities face when coordinating searches for at-risk persons. Family and community support networks, combined with prompt police action, can be instrumental in such situations.
Background
Missing person investigations require timely and clear communication between authorities and the public. Oakland Police Department’s search protocols include issuing alerts and distributing missing-persons posters, as has been done for Hillyard around the city, including on Grand Avenue and at the café she co-owns. Community involvement is frequently a key factor in locating missing individuals, especially those with health vulnerabilities. Hillyard’s active role as a business owner, consultant, and nonprofit leader reflects the interconnected social fabric that often mobilizes in response to such incidents.
Readers concerned about missing persons can consult local law enforcement resources and support organizations that assist families during these critical periods. As the search for Amy Hillyard continues, updates from authorities and the family will be essential to monitor.
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