It’s been more than six months since mother-of-two Sherri Papini was allegedly kidnapped while jogging and then dumped on the side of the road, alive, three weeks later.
Since then, few clues have emerged to explain the mysterious disappearance, and Papini has not spoken publicly about her ordeal.
At the time, the Californian mother claimed she had been abducted by two Hispanic women.
However, a local newspaper, The Sacramento Bee, claims to have uncovered reports that Papini has had several previous brushes with the law.
According to the newspaper, Papini’s mother called police in 2003 after a then 21-year-old Papini had been harming herself and blaming the injuries on her mother.
In addition, Papini’s father and sister contacted the police between 2000 and 2003 over various allegations including that Sherri had damaged property.
Papini’s family have slammed the reports as “clickbait” and “victim-blaming” to The New York Post.
“Sherri Papini and her family are the very recent victims of an extremely violent crime that has painfully and dramatically changed the course of their lives forever,” spokesperson Nicole Wool said. “It is shameful that a media outlet would intentionally exploit Sherri and Keith Papini and their young children’s trauma for the sole purpose of clickbait and selling papers.”
When The Sacramento Bee, which has won six Pulitzer Prizes, contacted police for comment over the reports, the sheriff said: ““The Papini case is still active and the investigation is ongoing,” Kropholler wrote in an email response. “I realize there is a lot of interest in Mrs. Papini and the details of her case. However, I am sure you can understand the necessity of maintaining the integrity of the investigation. Please be assured that when it is appropriate to release any further information regarding this case we will do so.”