Full Text Of Press Conference Held By Sherri Papini's Sister, Sheila Koester
Sherri Papini's sister Sheila Koester held a press conference Friday to deliver a statement from Sherri and her husband, Keith, and to answer questions about Sherris' release from kidnappers.
Papini had been held by kidnappers since November 2, 2016.
RELATED: Sheriff: Sherri Papini Was Kidnapped; Captors Still At Large
"Hi. My name is Sheila Koester. I am Sherri Papini's sister.
Before I say anything, I would like to share with everyone that I am 6 months pregnant, and please be mindful of my emotions. This has been a traumatic event for all of us.
As many of you know, Sherri has been returned to our family safely. She and Keith have been reunited. They appreciate the tremendous support that everyone has given us over the last few weeks and appreciate how respectful people are being to their privacy and allowing all of us to recover from this situation.
Keith and Sherri only have one statement at this time:
'We are overwhelmed with joy of how supportive everyone has been to help bring us together as a family again. We especially would like to thank the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, The NorCal Alliance for the Missing, the Lost Coast Trackers, Shasta Support Services, the Guardian Angels -- our A-Team -- the California Highway Patrol, Yolo County Sheriff's Office, the medical personnel that helped Sherri that morning, and the whole world that reached out to help find her."
Everyone's tireless efforts has made our family whole again this Thanksgiving. Thank you for allowing our family time to heal and for giving us our privacy. Your help in keeping this alive through social media and national news was an intricate part in bringing her home to us. We cannot thank you enough.'
Right now she has been through a very traumatic event and needs time with her family. Thank you all for coming, I have time for a few questions."
Reporter: I know you mentioned she was back with Keith...has she been reunited with the kids yet?
Sheila: That's not a question that I have an answer to at this time.
Reporter: How is she doing physically? We understand that she had some injuries.
Sheila: She's very excited to be home. So that's all that I can say at this time.
Reporter: You said that social media played a role in possibly Her release. How did that play a role in the case?
Sheila: I don't have any details into the case. I just know that getting her face out there was the best thing that anyone could do.
Reporter: Where were you and when did you learn of the good news?
Sheila: I heard on Thanksgiving morning that she was found.
Reporter: Did ransom play a role?
Sheila: I don't have any details of the case that's going on at the moment.
Reporter: Have you seen her, and if so, could you describe the reunion, what that was like?
Sheila: I've seen her and it was a very joyous reunion and we were just very very excited to see one another.
Reporter: Have you been able to talk to the people that she flagged down on Thanksgiving morning? Did she or you, anybody have a message for them?
Sheila: I know that we're just very excited that somebody was able to come in contact with her. And we appreciate all the help that everyone has given.
Reporter: What is your hope, there are, according to her, two women out there, what is your hope? Do you hope we catch them? They are considered dangerous, I imagine.
Sheila: I don't know any details of any part of the investigation that's going on and I'm just concerned with the healing of my sister.
Reporter: Has she said anything about anything that she went through those 22 days that she was missing?
Sheila: We were just joyous to see one another.
Repoter: It happened so close to her home. Is she there, or is she afraid to be in that area right now?
Sheila: That was not a conversation that we had.
Reporter: I know that she was a dedicated mother. Was she employed in some other fashion? And second, that, as a family have you have you been discussing who may have had a motive to do something like this?
Sheila: That would be a question I would ask Shasta County sheriff's office.
Reporter: Was she employed?
Sheila: I don't have an answer to that question.
Reporter: What is she doing today? What's her day like today?
Sheila: I know...I don't know what she's doing at this time. I know that she's with Keith and that they're being reunited.
Reporter: When will she return home?
Sheila: I don't know where they are at this time.
Reporter: And she hasn't been reunited with her children yet?
Sheil: I know she's been reunited with Keith.
Reporter: What have the last three weeks been like for you and your family?
Sheila: It's been a range of emotions and sadness, anger...right now it's just joy -- lots and lots of joy that she's here with us.
Reporter: Do Her children understand that she's back home?
Sheila: I can't answer that question. I don't know.
"I want to thank everyone for coming."
