How to stream 'Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini'? Everything you need to know about Hulu's chilling docu-series
Series name: 'Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini'
Platform: Hulu
Date of release: June 20, 2024
Country of origin: United States
Genre: Documentary
Director: Michael Beach Nichols
Hulu is gearing up to introduce a new documentary series, 'Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini,' which draws inspiration from the infamous kidnapping hoax of Sherri Papini.
The series is directed by Michael Beach Nichols and executive produced by Allison Berkley and Joseph Freed of Marwar Junction Productions, alongside Rob Ford and Erin Lee Carr.
The complex case of the kidnapping hoax captured the attention of millions worldwide at the time of its occurrence and continues to resonate today.
What is the plot of 'Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini'?
The documentary series will investigate the bizarre disappearance of Sherri Papini, a California woman who went missing in 2016 and resurfaced three weeks later with a bizarre explanation.
The series examines the investigation that ensued following Sherri's return and seeks to uncover the motivations behind the deception.
The show will include interviews with family members and authorities investigating her allegations amid public scrutiny and conflicting narratives. It will also explore complex aspects that go beyond a typical missing person case.
What happened with Sherri Papini?
Sherri Louise Graeff, also known as Sherri Papini, was a 34-year-old woman who mysteriously disappeared on November 2, 2016, while jogging a mile from her house in Redding, California.
Her disappearance sparked widespread panic, prompting a frantic search that left her family and community deeply concerned.
Fortunately, she returned three weeks later, on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, having been freed by her captors at 4:30 that morning while still wearing handcuffs, on the side of County Road 17 near Interstate 5 in Yolo County, roughly 150 miles south of where she disappeared.
However, complications arose swiftly when inconsistencies in her story and a lack of evidence to support her abduction claim came to light.
What did the police investigation reveal about Sherri Papini's kidnapping case?
Due to Sherri's inconsistent testimony and the absence of evidence supporting her abduction narrative, authorities launched an inquiry into her allegations.
This scrutiny intensified the controversy surrounding the case and drew media attention.
According to Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko, Papini stated in interviews that she was approached by two Hispanic women who consistently wore masks, either by covering their faces or by covering Papini's head.
When detectives questioned Sherri, she mentioned it resembled a verse from the Book of Exodus but failed to provide any substantial evidence, which further heightened authorities' suspicions.
What is the truth behind Sherri Papini's abduction?
As officials delved deeper into the case, additional evidence surfaced that cast doubt on the kidnapping narrative and suggested it might have been a hoax.
It was reported that Papini was found with both male and female DNA on her, neither of which matched her or her spouse.
Complications escalated when the FBI processed these samples through the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) but found no matches.
Things took a turn when her ex-boyfriend, James Reyes, revealed in March 2022 that Papini had stayed with him at his Southern California home during the alleged kidnapping.
On March 3, 2022, the FBI arrested Papini and charged her with lying to federal officials and fabricating her kidnapping to spend time with her ex-boyfriend, allegedly to get away from her husband and children.
Six weeks after her arrest, Papini agreed to a plea agreement, ultimately admitting that she had orchestrated the hoax.
In September 2022, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $300,000. She was released in August 2023 and placed in a halfway house.
Keith Papini, Sherri's husband, filed for divorce and sole custody of their children in April 2022, shortly after she pleaded guilty to the fraud charges.
How to stream 'Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini?'
The docu-series will only be accessible for streaming on Hulu, which requires a membership to watch. Hulu's ad-supported plan is only $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
The No Ads option is $17.99 per month.
'Perfect Wife': The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini' trailer