Sherri Papini, who imitated the plot of Gone Girl, ultimately broke down while interrogation by detectives four years after the incident, saying, ‘Talking to other guys has brought me here.’
In the video, Papini attempts to assert her innocence by claiming, “I did nothing wrong,” despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Throughout the interview, she expresses her love for her husband, who is present, while clutching her head in her hands.
Papini, a mother of two, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay almost $300,000 in restitution on Monday.
The following day, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office released and broadcast on Good Morning, America a video depicting the moment in August 2020 when Papini’s scam finally collapsed.
Papini vanished while jogging in her Redding, California, neighborhood in November 2016.
The married mother of two returned weeks and hundreds of miles later ‘dazed, tortured, and scarred’ claiming she had been held captive for 22 days by two fictitious Latina women.
Investigators began to investigate Papini’s past leading up to her disappearance, including the involvement of her ex-lover, James Reyes, who, according to prosecutors, she persuaded to assist her amidst charges of domestic violence against her husband. She was finally apprehended in March 2022 and entered a guilty plea in April 2022.
In the new footage, an investigator with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office tells Papini, “We have evidence that indicates [James Reyes] told the truth.”
The video depicts Papini covering her face with her hands as she is confronted with the proof.
Her husband Keith Papini, who was adamant in his belief in her abduction claims, stands by her side.
The investigators continue to unravel her plot by stating, “The reason you are able to describe the place is because you spent countless hours there.”
The detective said, “The reason you lost so much weight is because you stopped eating.”
The investigator stated, in reference to the woman’s fractured nose sustained during her ‘kidnapping,’ that a hockey stick was responsible.
During this time, Papini holds her head in her hands and remains silent.
The investigators continue: ‘Now, the elements that don’t make sense are that you accuse two women of abducting you when it was actually James… James did the bit when you were branded.’
Sherri Papini is depicted with her head in her hands as investigators inform her that her ex-boyfriend, James Reyes, was with her throughout her ‘kidnapping’
Keith Papini, the wife’s husband, is being questioned by authorities after being confronted with evidence that she faked her absence.
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors stated that Papini must serve out her entire prison term.
On September 19, Papini was sentenced to 18 months in prison; a newly released video shows the moment she heard that police had uncovered her complex scheme.
Papini, followed by her attorney William Portanova, arrives at the federal courthouse in Sacramento for sentence. Her sister now claims that Papini shows neither sorrow or shame for her crimes.
Sherri and her husband Keith on the day of their wedding. The mother of two told her ex-lover that Keith’s abuse forced her to flee.
Reyes had previously told investigators about the branding and broken nose: ‘She did a great deal of this when she was here. She just struck herself with something; I assisted her. I mean, I didn’t even punch her.
When asked what he did specifically, Reyes responds, “I blasted a puck off her leg.”
During the interview, the first time we hear from Papini is when she states, “I did nothing wrong.”
The investigators continue to inundate Jessica with case details, stating, “The DNA found on you belongs to James Reyes…” We interviewed him, he was polygraphed, we interviewed everyone, and we have rental agreements, phone records, and automobile rental agreements.’
Papini tells the officers, amid tears, “Talking to other guys got me here”
In response to a request for clarification, she states, “I adore my husband, but I made mistakes with other guys.”
Later in the film, the detectives conduct an interview with Keith Papini. It is stated to him, ‘Obviously you have heard the questions. You have viewed some of the photographs.
Keith Papini adds, ‘You’ve heard my side of the story, but now you’re telling me that you can all go home because I don’t want her near my children or myself at this moment.’
James Reyes told authorities that Papini sustained self-inflicted injuries while residing with him, including self-inflicted bruising and arm burns.
She pleaded guilty to impersonating her own abduction and lying to the FBI. Papini could have faced five years in prison for lying to federal authorities and twenty years in prison for faking her own kidnapping, which constitutes mail fraud.
Sheila Marie Graeff Koester, Papini’s sister, issued a statement after her sentencing thanking the people and the media for their coverage of the story.
Koester stated that following her sister’s’miraculous return,’ she remained steadfast to her account and maintained that she was suffering from post-abduction emotional anguish.
Even after her incarceration, she continued her years-long habit of lies and deceit, according to Koester.
Papini did not confess her deception to her family until she chose to enter a guilty plea.
Koester stated, shockingly, that despite what she has expressed to the public, she does not feel sorrow or guilt for the immeasurable harm she has caused.
Koester continued, “It pains me profoundly to say this, but my sister is very troubled, and I hope that if she is released, for the sake of her children, she will finally receive the care she so sorely needs.”
The mother of two must report to authorities by November 8th. In addition to her prison term, Papini will serve a probationary period of 36 months.
Keith, with whom she shares children Tyler, 8, and Violet, 10, filed for divorce on Wednesday, two days after she entered a guilty plea.
Papini vanished while jogging in her Redding, California, neighborhood. The married mother of two returned weeks and hundreds of miles later ‘dazed, abused, and injured’ and said she had been held captive by two Latina women for 22 days.
Investigators began to investigate Papini’s past leading up to her disappearance, including the participation of her ex-lover, whom authorities say she encouraged to assist her in the midst of claims of domestic violence against her husband.
Prosecutors argued during Papini’s sentencing hearing that she must serve the entirety of her sentence in jail. In court documents, they stated, “Her behavior requires a just penalty.”
While her attorneys claimed that house arrest would be more appropriate than one month in jail, she was sentenced to one month in jail.
Losses sustained by the California Victim Compensation Board, the Social Security Administration, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI are covered by the fine.
As he and his client exited the courtroom, attorney William Portanova informed the media, “The court did not miss the mark.” By the time he condemned her, he was aware of her feelings. He is entrusting her with what we regard to be a reasonable sentence, notwithstanding its length.’
He continued, “We are confident that for the next few years of supervised release, Sherri will continue to prove to the court that he made the correct decision.”
Before being formally accused this year, Papini fabricated her absence and convinced the public of her story upon her return home.
Investigators began to investigate Papini’s past leading up to her disappearance, including the participation of her ex-lover, whom authorities say she encouraged to assist her in the midst of claims of domestic violence against her husband.
The mother of two was nabbed in March after deceiving the entire world into believing that she had vanished.
In November 2016, her husband reported her missing when she forgot to pick up their children from school. Later, her cell phone and earbuds were discovered on the running track she utilized.
She was thrown on the side of the road on Thanksgiving after being beaten and malnourished for weeks by her kidnappers, whose faces she never saw