Authorities issued a Bay Area-wide emergency alert Sunday night for Amy Hillyard, the 52-year-old co-owner of popular Farley's coffee shops in San Francisco and Oakland, who has been missing since Wednesday afternoon and is considered at-risk due to a medical condition.

Amy Hillyard
Amy Hillyard

Hillyard was last seen around 2 p.m. on March 25 in the 500 block of Radnor Road in Oakland's Cleveland Heights neighborhood, near Lake Merritt. She left her home wearing a tan top and tan pants, police said. She stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs about 120 pounds, and has blond hair and hazel eyes. Her cell phone was left behind at home, complicating efforts to track her movements.

The California Highway Patrol sent the wireless emergency alert on behalf of the Oakland Police Department as concern grew over the weekend. Hillyard is described as a beloved community figure, business owner and mother of two whose disappearance has shaken the tight-knit Bay Area coffee and neighborhood scenes.

Hillyard co-owns Farley's with her husband, Chris Hillyard. The original location on 18th Street in San Francisco's Potrero Hill neighborhood opened in 1989 by Chris's father, Roger Hillyard, and is considered a legacy business in the city. The couple later opened Farley's East on Grand Avenue in downtown Oakland, a spot known for its community vibe, quality coffee and role as a gathering place for locals.

Missing posters quickly appeared in the windows of both shops and along Grand Avenue. The Downtown Oakland Association highlighted Hillyard's deep ties to the area, noting her active involvement in local business and community organizations. She also serves as board president of the East Bay Children's Choir, further embedding her in regional cultural life.

Friends, family and customers expressed shock and worry. About 100 people gathered Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil at the Lakeside Park pergola on the east side of Lake Merritt. Attendees held candles and shared stories of Hillyard's kindness, entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her family and community. Many described her as a warm, energetic presence who made everyone feel welcome at her cafés.

"We're holding out hope for her safe return," one vigil organizer said. "Amy is more than a business owner — she's a connector, a supporter of the arts and a fixture in Oakland and San Francisco."

Oakland police are treating the case as a missing person investigation with heightened urgency due to Hillyard's medical condition, details of which have not been publicly disclosed. Officers have conducted searches in the Cleveland Heights area and are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements from the neighborhood.

The Hillyard family has cooperated fully with investigators. Chris Hillyard has asked for privacy while urging anyone with information to come forward. Neighborhood searches have been organized, and volunteers have distributed flyers in nearby areas, including around Lake Merritt and along major corridors.

Farley's coffee shops have a rich history tied to family legacy. The San Francisco location was named after Roger Hillyard's grandfather, Jack Farley, who mysteriously disappeared in the Midwest in the 1920s — an ironic parallel not lost on some longtime customers. The business has endured economic challenges, the pandemic and shifting neighborhood dynamics while maintaining a reputation for excellent coffee and community engagement.

Both locations remained open over the weekend, with staff and customers sharing updates and offering support. Regulars described the shops as more than places to grab a latte; they serve as informal community hubs where people connect, work and relax.

Hillyard's professional background includes business consulting in addition to running the cafés. She has been credited with helping expand the family business thoughtfully while preserving its independent, neighborhood character amid growing competition from chains.

The emergency alert reached thousands of cell phones across the Bay Area, a tool typically reserved for imminent threats or critical missing person cases. Police urged the public not to approach Hillyard if spotted but to call authorities immediately.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department's Missing Persons Unit at 510-238-3641. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

The disappearance has drawn attention beyond the Bay Area, with coverage in national outlets noting Hillyard's role in the local coffee scene. Some reports referenced a past controversy involving one of the shops and employee conduct, but authorities have emphasized there is no known connection to her disappearance and have not indicated foul play at this stage.

Community leaders in Oakland and San Francisco have rallied support. The Downtown Oakland Association and Potrero Hill organizations have amplified the missing person alert through social media and local networks. Business owners expressed solidarity, with some temporarily displaying photos of Hillyard in their windows.

As of Monday morning, March 30, no new confirmed sightings had been publicly reported. Searches continued in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood and surrounding areas, including parks and trails near Lake Merritt, a popular spot for walkers and joggers.

Hillyard is a mother of two, and her family has described the past days as an emotional roller coaster filled with worry and faint hope. Friends noted her active lifestyle and deep roots in the East Bay, making her sudden absence all the more concerning.

The case highlights vulnerabilities faced by individuals with medical conditions who go missing, even in familiar neighborhoods. Advocates for missing persons stressed the importance of rapid alerts and community involvement in such cases.

Oakland police continue to canvass the area and follow up on leads. Detectives have interviewed family members, neighbors and associates to build a timeline of Hillyard's activities leading up to Wednesday afternoon.

The vigil on Sunday provided a moment of collective reflection and support. Participants sang, shared memories and held signs with Hillyard's photo. Many wore clothing or carried items from Farley's, turning the event into a quiet tribute to her contributions.

As the search enters its fifth day, officials appealed for continued public vigilance. "Every tip matters," a police spokesperson said. "Even something that seems minor could help us locate her."

Both Farley's locations have become focal points for well-wishers leaving notes, flowers and messages of hope. Staff have expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support while trying to maintain normal operations for customers.

The Hillyard family business has long emphasized community over corporate expansion. Regulars value the shops for their cozy atmospheres, locally sourced ingredients where possible and genuine hospitality.

Hillyard's involvement with the East Bay Children's Choir reflects her commitment to youth arts and education. Colleagues there described her as reliable, passionate and always willing to lend a hand for fundraisers or events.

The broader Bay Area coffee community has mobilized, with other independent shop owners sharing the alert and offering assistance in any way possible. The incident serves as a reminder of how interconnected neighborhood businesses and residents can be.

Police have not released additional details about Hillyard's medical condition but reiterated that she is at-risk and may need immediate assistance if located.

As Monday progressed, the search effort remained active with no resolution reported. Friends continued organizing neighborhood walks and digital outreach to expand the visibility of the case.

The story of Amy Hillyard's disappearance has resonated strongly because of her visible role in daily life for so many — the friendly face behind the counter, the organizer in the background, the neighbor who says hello on walks.

Authorities and loved ones continue to hope for a positive outcome. In the meantime, the Bay Area's coffee lovers and Cleveland Heights residents are keeping watch, united in the effort to bring one of their own home safely.