Oakland mother missing nearly 2 weeks; Sacramento ties fuel search

“This is just bizarre. This is just bizarre and really sad and hard for all of us.”

OAKLAND, Calif. — As families gather to celebrate Easter with loved ones, friends of a missing Bay Area mother with ties to Sacramento say they are holding onto hope she will be found soon.

Oakland police say 52-year-old Amy Hillyard has been missing for nearly two weeks after she was last seen on March 25th.

After speaking with those who know her, the shock surrounding her disappearance is clear.

“This is just bizarre and really sad and hard for all of us,” Margaret Teichert, a former classmate of Hillyard, said.

Teichert said she had recently been in touch with Hillyard as they and other classmates from their sixth-grade class at Deterding Elementary School were planning a 40-year reunion. The two met in first grade.

She said Hillyard has deep roots in the Sacramento area, attending Rio Americano High School and later UC Davis.

Oakland police said Hillyard was last seen around 2 p.m. in the 500 block of Radnor Road wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. She is described as 5-foot-4, 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Authorities said she is considered at risk because of medical conditions.

“Our hopeful outcome is maybe she needed a few days. If she is somewhere in Sacramento, keep an eye out,” Teichert said. “She certainly has a deep community here that cares about her.”

Teichert added that Hillyard also has connections to the Tahoe area near Donner Lake.

About a week ago, friends, family and neighbors gathered at Lake Merritt for a candlelight vigil, expressing hope for her safe return.

“Her husband Chris shared one of the things that define hope. Tonight we express our hope that we find her,” a speaker at the vigil said.

Friends said Hillyard owns a coffee shop in downtown Oakland and was known for being active in her community.

“There is just a shock to it that it’s somebody who is visible, who is part of the community, who is actively in people’s lives and has obviously a deep circle of people who care about her,” Teichert said.

As the search continues, those closest to Hillyard are holding onto hope she will return in time for a planned class reunion in July in Sacramento.

“Please know that the ripples of who she is have, have reached more people than, than you can possibly know,” Teichert said. “And I think there’s a lot of There’s so many good wishes and prayers and hope, kind of aimed in her direction.”

ABC10 reached out to Oakland police for an update, but had not heard back as of Sunday.

Teichert said the situation has also made her more mindful about safety, including keeping her cellphone nearby and letting others know her whereabouts.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Missing Persons Unit at 510-238-3641.