A mother of five from Texas went to run errands on Saturday, and disappeared for days, leaving her family frantically searching for her. The family of Amy Lea Sinnwell, 41, said she would never just cut communication with them, yet she was silent for more than three days.
Amy Sinnwell reportedly left her home in Keller, and planned stops at Target and Academy Sports. When she didn't return home, loved ones became desperate to hear from anyone who may have spotted her.
Police searched intensely for the mother while internet detectives began their own work. Facebook groups dedicated to finding Amy Sinnwell offered theories and tips, but investigators didn't have much to work with other than video surveillance from the Target store. Some feared that too much time has passed and that Amy Sinnwell was in danger. But just after noon on Wednesday, authorities confirmed that she had been found, leaving many to wonder what exactly happened.
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Amy Sinnwell's husband posted about his wife on Monday.
Matthew Sinnwell implored anyone who may have seen his wife to contact him via DM. "Amy left for Academy and Target at 2:35 PM and hasn't been seen or heard from since by any of her family or friends," he wrote.
Followers shared prayers and well wishes, and word of her disappearance spread. A Facebook group dedicated to the search quickly popped up. Stephanie Kegley is a missing person advocate, CEO of Put Me First, and administrator of Finding Amy Lea Sinnwell. She has been acting as a spokesperson for the people on social media and sharing facts about the case. A missing person poster clearly states the family's concerns.
"This is not normal behavior from Amy. She would never leave her spouse or kids without communication on where she was headed," the poster reads.
Kegley was quick to dispel rumors about Amy Sinnwell.
The public Facebook group Finding Amy Lea Sinnwell has 10,000 members, which some say has led to the spread of misinformation. Kegley adamantly shut down rumors that Amy Sinnwell retuned to her home and got into an argument before her disappearance.
"THIS IS FALSE!" she wrote. "This is someone grabbing attention in the worst
possible way. The police have all the Ring footage and would have seen this! The detectives do know who made that accusation however and I'm sure will follow up with them."
Was Amy Sinnwell having a mental health crisis?
In another post, Kegley addressed claims about Amy Sinnwell's mental health. She said the missing wife and mother "does have anxiety, has experienced depression, but was managed without the need for mental health therapy for the last several years." She said it is possible that she had a mental breakdown and fled, but no one knows anything at this point and she discouraged people from speculating.
The family said she seemed OK at Target.
Jenna Rae Johnson claimed to be a family member of Amy Sinnwell and said there had been few updates, which is why they haven't shared more information. She did confirm that Amy Sinnwell appeared on video surveillance at Target, and nothing seemed awry.
"We are tired, scared, emotional….. and honestly, we have let Stephanie Kegley graciously step in and man social media and I do when I can. Please have enough respect to not judge how the Family is handling anything. We/they are in shock. As far as video: Yes, it was pulled from Target. She was there. No foul Play. No video from Academy yet," she wrote.
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There was hope that she would be found alive.
Professor Karen Shalev-Greene, director of the Centre for the Study of Missing Persons at the University of Portsmouth in the UK told Newsweek in June 2023 that most missing people appear in less than a month. "Ninety-nine percent of people are found within the first 28 days of them going missing. In general the vast majority of people are found alive," she said.
Kegley updated early Wednesday morning.
"For those, who are new to missing person cases. This does NOT mean the work is stopping. Moves are being made behind the scenes. Our L.E. has a process they have to follow. Sadly, many adult cases, unless it's clear they are in danger, take time. The Family is still out looking as I write this. I have come to learn they are warriors and so strong during this. As I say that, Amy has amazing friends that are considered Family and they are the same! But look at the community we have built in such a small amount of time. Y'all are amazing as well. I know we have more questions than answers, but as time goes on, we will know more. Sadly, as time goes on, it's more heartbreaking and scary. Thank you to those who have been supportive. Every group has some bad apples, but it doesn't jade the impact and help y'all are bringing."
Her car was spotted later the same day.
KTEN reported Wednesday that police in Paris, Texas, said Amy Sinnwell's SUV was spotted in Paris as late as Monday. Paris is about 125 miles from Keller. Not long after, it was confirmed that Amy Sinnwell was found safe.
"Keller Police were able to make contact this morning with Amy Lea Sinnwell, who was reported missing on Monday, July 24. Ms. Sinnwell is safe and is being removed from the missing person database,” police wrote in a statement, reported Heavy.com. “Keller investigators have been tracking Ms. Sinnwell’s movements throughout this investigation, and have been working with local, state and federal partners to find Ms. Sinnwell and ensure her safety.”
"Amy has been found alive. We have no other information at this time to release. Please respect the family’s privacy at this time so they can process all of this. Continued prayers are greatly appreciated," Kegley wrote on Facebook.
