Loved ones are pleading for answers in the mysterious disappearance of Oakland coffee store owner, Amy Hillyard, who hasn’t been seen in nearly a week.
According to NBC Bay are, attendees gathered at Lake Merritt Sunday night, where Hillyard’s daughter, along with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, sang for dozens in attendance. Gatherers are hoping the vigil will spread enough awareness to bring the 52-year-old home.
Hillyard was last seen leaving her Oakland home Wednesday, in the 500 block of Radnor Road near Lake Merritt, at around 2 p.m.
Due to medical conditions, police stated that she’s considered high-risk.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Hillyard and her husband own Farley’s East coffee shop in Oakland and Farley’s coffee shop in San Francisco.
“She’s the kind of person that collects people, that brings people together when you have a problem, she’s generally the first person you reach out to,” said Selena Khaira, a close family friend of Hillyard and her family.
“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,” family friend Selena Khaira said, according to NBC Bay Area.
Another friend, Tom Green, described her as “a staple in this community,” who assisted in the founding of Oakland Montessori Charter School.
“She literally feeds the community, she feeds her friends and family in her home, she’s fed citizens of Oakland and San Francisco on both sides of the bay through her coffee shop,” he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of volunteers helped search for Hillyard over the weekend, FOX 2 reports, both hiking and walking.
Police are asking residents in the area to check security cameras.
Hillyard described as a white female who stands 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs around 120 pounds.
According to FOX 2, Hillyard is the mother of two children.
Anyone with information is urged to contact OPD’s Missing Persons Unit at 510-238-3641.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo via Oakland PD]