Sherri Papini, the California lady who was convicted of faking her kidnapping in 2022, now claims she truly was kidnapped — this time saying her ex-boyfriend was the perpetrator.
Papini, 43 — who lied to the FBI in 2016 by claiming two Hispanic girls had held her captive for 3 weeks — stated she was the truth is kidnapped throughout that point interval by her former boyfriend James Reyes.
Papini stated she by no means advised police the reality about her disappearance as a result of she was afraid of Reyes and likewise terrified of her then-husband.
“I’m not truly asking anybody to consider something,” Papini advised ABC Information in a tearful interview to advertise her new self-published memoir, “Sherri Papini Doesn’t Exist.”
“I simply am free now, and I’ve the capability to talk for myself with out being afraid and with out having to lie and not being as fearful as I’ve been earlier than.”
Her mysterious disappearance within the Northern California city of Redding launched a dramatic, 22-day manhunt in November 2016 — just for authorities to find her “abduction” was a hoax she staged with assist from Reyes.
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Papini advised cops she was kidnapped at gunpoint whereas jogging close to her residence by two hispanic girls who tossed her in an SUV then chained, beat and branded her.
She was finally discovered on Thanksgiving day on a freeway about 150 miles away from Redding with burns, bruises and a Bible verse branded on her shoulder — accidents Reyes advised police have been largely self-inflicted.
Throughout their investigation, the feds discovered that Papini was secretly staying with Reyes whereas her husband, two kids and officers desperately looked for her.
In her new guide, nonetheless, she claims she was held in opposition to her will and abused by Reyes, which he denies. Authorities have stated Papini manipulated Reyes into serving to her with the kidnapping hoax.
She additionally writes that she was in an emotionally abusive and controlling marriage to her then-husband, Keith Papini, allegations he has denied.
“To be clear, there was one factor that I lied about,” Papini advised ABC. “The whole lot else was correct and true. I lied concerning the identification of my captor.”
“It’s time to inform the reality. I’ve achieved it. I’ve suffered for it. You watched me burn for it, go to jail, and lose custody of my kids and spoil my whole life,” she stated. “And it’s time to return ahead and inform the reality to everybody.”
Papini pleaded responsible in April 2022 to mendacity to the FBI concerning the pretend kidnapping and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. She finally served 10 months behind bars.
