Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore
Episode: KIDNAPPED: Sherri Papini
Date: September 24, 2025
Podcast by: Crime House
Hosted by: Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore
Episode Overview
In this gripping episode of Clues, Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore dissect the infamous case of Sherri Papini, the California mom whose 2016 “kidnapping” transfixed—and divided—the nation. Sherri vanished during a routine jog, only to return 22 days later with a haunting story of abduction and abuse. Morgan and Kaelyn take listeners through the forensic details, the evolving investigation, and the ultimate unraveling of Sherri's narrative, exposing the lies, psychological complexities, and racial undertones that made this case both sensational and troubling. As Sherri embarks on a book tour to reclaim her story, the hosts cut through the noise to examine what really happened—and question why.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Disappearance: Sherri Vanishes in Broad Daylight
[04:14–12:20]
- November 2, 2016: Sherri Papini, 34-year-old mom of two, vanishes while jogging in Mountain Gate, CA.
- Husband Keith returns home to find her car in the driveway, kids uncollected from daycare, and Sherri’s phone, earbuds, and blond hair by a mailbox on Old Oregon Trail.
- Community and law enforcement launch an intensive, immediate search.
Notable Quote
“You have this pretty young mother who disappeared in broad daylight in a small town where nothing like this ever happens. It's already sounding like a Dateline episode just straight out the gate…”
—Kaelyn Moore [13:53]
2. Building a Timeline: Early Clues & Family Dynamic
[12:20–16:51]
- Investigators quickly narrow the window of disappearance to 10:37am–noon, based on her last text to Keith.
- Community mobilizes, with missing person flyers and volunteer search parties.
Background on Sherri:
- Troubled family history; instability, childhood trauma, a pattern of unreliable partners; described by some as a “couch hopper.”
- Ultimately “rescued” by childhood sweetheart Keith, the couple start an apparently idyllic life.
3. Digital Forensics Reveal Secrets
[16:51–22:19]
- Police check Sherri’s phone records and uncover communication with Donovan Misk, an old flame whose number was saved under a woman’s name.
- The fling included emotional infidelity, prompting a postnuptial agreement between Keith and Sherri to keep assets separate.
Notable Quote
“For him to then be kind of seemingly gracious, it's an interesting reflection on maybe his character… Definitely based on what Sheri's telling people.”
—Morgan Absher [22:06]
4. A Miraculous Return—and A Bizarre Tale
[24:17–36:23]
- Thanksgiving morning, Nov 24, 2016: Sherri is found battered and emaciated, running along a highway, chained at the waist.
- She tells police she was abducted by two masked Hispanic women, held for 22 days, chained, starved, and branded.
- She avoids speaking to investigators unless Keith is present, and displays extreme PTSD after her return.
Medical Findings:
- Hair cut off, weight loss, bruising, rash, broken nose, and an enigmatic brand on her shoulder (“Exodus 6:2-2” possibly).
- No evidence of sexual assault; toxicology screen negative.
Notable Quote
“She was, like, skittish around doctors and nurses, and she was especially fearful of the police… She refuses to talk to detectives and won't say a word unless Keith is in the room with her.”
—Morgan Absher [29:01]
5. Scrutinizing the Story – Early Doubts and Contradictions
[39:55–47:15]
- Internet sleuths and true crime bloggers question the abduction site and forensic evidence (lack of struggle, neatly placed phone, etc.)
- Surveillance video from a nearby church shows Sherri running smoothly just before rescue—does not match her injuries or story.
- Police sketches of the alleged kidnappers feature basic, contrasting traits; some experts believe these are fabricated.
Notable Quote
“When you look at these women, there's so many opposite features… One is young, one is old, thin eyebrows/bushy eyebrows, straight hair/curly hair—kind of constructed to human traffickers and what they would look like on the spot.”
—Kaelyn Moore [45:06]
6. Breakthrough: DNA, Familial Search, and the Ex-Boyfriend
[46:28–56:07]
- DNA recovered from Sherri’s clothing includes male DNA, which does not match Keith.
- Years later, familial DNA search identifies James Reyes, Sherri’s ex-boyfriend from 10+ years prior, as the source.
- James admits to helping Sherri “escape” her marriage. She stayed willingly at his apartment for 22 days; he claims she inflicted her own injuries, including branding (with a Hobby Lobby-bought tool) and weight loss. No sexual relationship occurred.
Notable Moment
“She told James the same story she told Donovan... that Keith was violent and abusive and that she'd filed a bunch of police reports, but the cops just weren't doing anything to help her. By the way, we cannot find any evidence of those reports…”
—Morgan Absher [54:07]
7. Corroborating Evidence: Burner Phones & Digital Trails
[66:19–68:04]
- FBI traces two burner phones' cell pings matching the journey from the abduction site to Costa Mesa.
- Digital “breadcrumb trail” and credit card records support James' account.
Notable Quote
“It was proof in their minds that he was telling the truth and using these burner phones. Something Sherry thought she was probably being really clever about is what actually ends up proving that she's lying about everything.”
—Morgan Absher [67:34]
8. The Reckoning: Confrontation, Guilty Plea, and Fallout
[68:12–69:08]
- Investigators confront Sherri with evidence, including photos of James's house matching her “captivity” descriptions.
- She denies, feigns confusion, and requests a lawyer when cornered.
- Eventually pleads guilty in April 2022 to making false statements and mail fraud; sentenced to 18 months prison, restitution for investigative costs, and three years supervised release.
9. Motives, Racial Overtones & Psychological Speculation
[69:08–77:07]
- Unresolved question: Why orchestrate the elaborate scheme? Theories include attention-seeking (Munchausen syndrome), financial motivations (compensation fund, GoFundMe), mental health struggles, or deep-seated trauma from childhood.
- Concerns about racial bias: Sherri’s story relied heavily on racist stereotypes about Hispanic women, echoing an alleged racist rant posted by a “Sherry Graff” in 2003; Sherri denies authoring it.
Kaelyn’s Insight:
“What's interesting about Sherry's case is she does continue to double down on the Hispanic angle the entire time as if that is part of the whole plan… She was also using all these ridiculous stereotypes saying they'd only blast mariachi music, just feed her rice and tortillas…”
—Kaelyn Moore [73:20]
- Additional disturbing detail: Allegations that Sherri subjected her own children to Munchausen by proxy tactics (making them inhale rubbing alcohol to induce illness).
10. The Book Tour and Ongoing Denials
[77:30–82:46]
- In 2025, after serving her sentence, Sherri releases a book and appears on various podcasts and TV shows, doubling down on her innocence.
- She now claims she was kidnapped by James, recasting her abduction as non-consensual; continues to accuse Keith of abuse.
- Keith filed for divorce and full custody of the children; divorce finalized in 2023.
Notable Quote
“She seems to be hoping that this book will apply pressure to James and get him to admit his role in this crime so she can prove to the world once and for all that her kidnapping wasn't a hoax… She says that James was the one inflicting all this pain on her.”
—Kaelyn Moore [78:13]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On the impact to real victims:
“You're making it so much harder for every other woman going forward with a similar case or a kidnapping or a trafficking incident. Like… why, why, why?”
—Morgan Absher [70:19] -
On shifting narratives and credibility:
“It just goes back to molding the narrative to fit whatever's happening in the moment… she's just gonna lie about whatever she needs to that fits that immediate moment.”
—Kaelyn Moore [79:28] -
On the damage done:
“This case...has made it so much harder for victims of similar cases to be believed, for their cases to be taken seriously.”
—Morgan Absher [82:51]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Case Introduction / Context – [00:48]
- Timeline of Disappearance and Search – [04:14–16:51]
- Sherri’s Background – [07:00–10:00]
- Discovery of Secret Communications & Marital Strain – [16:51–22:19]
- Sherri’s Miraculous Return – [24:17–29:01]
- Sherri’s Abduction Story & Forensic Analysis – [31:11–36:38]
- Sleuthing Doubts & Surveillance Video Analysis – [39:55–44:42]
- Police Sketches, DNA, and Identification of Ex-Boyfriend – [44:42–56:07]
- James’s Confession & Clues of Fabrication – [56:07–59:40]
- Digital Breadcrumbs: Burner Phones Confirm the Truth – [66:19–68:04]
- Sherri Confronted, Guilty Plea & Sentencing – [68:12–69:08]
- Motives, Munchausen Theory, and Racial Critiques – [69:08–77:07]
- The Book Tour and Sherri’s Continued Denials – [77:30–82:46]
- Wider Impact and Final Reflections – [82:46–end]
Takeaways
- The Sherri Papini kidnapping case is a dramatic cautionary tale of deception, psychological distress, and community impact—made more complex by its racial implications and media storm.
- Forensic evidence, digital forensics, and witness testimony ultimately exposed the fabricated aspects of Sherri’s story.
- The fallout continues to affect not just her immediate circle, but the wider public’s trust in victims, law enforcement priorities, and how true crime stories are told and received.
Additional Note
The episode closes by highlighting the case of Kian McLaughlin, a missing person from Grand Teton National Park, reinforcing the ongoing importance of active, honest, and responsible coverage and advocacy for victims of abduction and disappearance.
For visuals and additional resources, visit the podcast’s Instagram @CluesPodcast or YouTube @CluesPod.