The co-owner of a popular chain of California Bay Area coffee shops vanished without a trace, sparking a large scale search.
Amy Hillyard, 52, was last seen near her home in the Cleveland Heights area of Oakland last Wednesday and has not been heard from since.Â
The mother-of-two, who co-owns Farley’s Coffee with her husband Chris, is at risk due to an undisclosed medical condition, Oakland Police said.Â
A neighbor spoke with KTVU, and said they saw Hillyard leave her home with the family dog on the Wednesday that she vanished.
Her husband then reached out to the neighbor asking if they had seen Amy as she had left her cell phone at home.Â
On Sunday night over 100 friends and family members who have been hunting for Hillyard gathered for a vigil near where she disappeared.Â
Footage captured by various news outlets showed loved ones exchanging hugs and wiping tears as they held candles. Â
Hillyard, 52, was last seen near her home in the Cleveland Heights area of Oakland last Wednesday
According to a neighbor who spoke with KTVU, Hillyard was seen walking her dog before she disappeared, the street she was last spotted on is seen here
Selena Khaira, a family friend, told NBC: ‘She’s the kind of person that collects people, that brings people together when you have a problem.
‘Which is why it’s so important for us tonight to come together and help her family in a similar way that they’ve always helped us.’Â
Family friend Tom Green spoke on behalf of the family and described Hillyard as a ‘staple in this community’.
He added: ‘She literally feeds the community, she’s fed citizens of Oakland and San Francisco on both sides of the bay through her coffee shop.
‘We want the community to support her tonight and show her the kind of love we all feel for her, and hope she comes home.’
In a post to social media, Hillyard’s sister in law Darby posted: ‘Please keep an eye out for my sister-in-law, her family and friends miss her dearly.
‘Please message me directly, if you’d like/able to volunteer in the search for her. Thank you and one love!’
As well as the coffee stores, Hillyard also runs her own consulting practice and has worked with companies including Apple and Gap, her website said.Â
She is also the board president of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, which said in a statement: ‘This is incredibly difficult news for our close community.Â
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Hillyard is seen here alongside her husband Chris, the two own Farley’s Coffee
On Sunday night over 100 friends and family members who have been hunting for Hillyard gathered for a vigil near where she disappeared
‘Amy is such an important part of our organization, and our hearts are with her and her loved ones as we hope for her safe return.’
In a statement, Farley’s said: ‘Our hearts go out to Amy and her family and friends during this difficult time.Â
‘She has been a passionate and active member of the Oakland community for 20+ years. We hope that she returns safely and we appreciate any information.’
Oakland Police Department said she was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers with a black stripe.Â
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts are urged to contact the department’s Missing Persons Unit on 510-238-3641.
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Owner of popular coffee shops in California vanishes without a trace as friends are desperate to find her