Naman Shrestha
When Sherri Papini was kidnapped near her Redding, California, in November 2016, the entire community came together to participate in the search for the mother of two. The search halted when she was discovered several miles away from her house, severely injured and bruised. Investigation Discovery’s ‘Sherri Papini: Caught In The Lie’ is a four-part true crime documentary show that covers the entire case in a detailed manner, thanks to the insightful interviews with the subject herself and other individuals connected to the case. In the midst of it all, Sherri’s sister, Sheila Koester, found herself in a tough spot, given her love for her sister.
Sheila Koester Was Deeply Affected by Sherri’s Kidnapping Hoax
Born to Loretta and Rich Graeff, Sheila Koester is the elder sister of Sherri Papini, who came up with her kidnapping hoax in 2016. Growing up in a financially unstable and unhealthy household in Redding, California, the sisters formed a close bond with each other. Being the elder sister, Sheila took on the responsibility of taking care of Sherri. So, when the latter disappeared for 22 days in early November 2016 from the Redding neighborhood where she lived with her husband, Keith Papini, Sheila did all she could to locate her beloved sister.
After she reappeared on Thanksgiving Day, Sheila released a statement on behalf of her family: “We are overwhelmed with joy at how supportive everyone has been in bringing our family together at this time.” She elaborated, “Everyone’s tireless efforts (have) 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.” Sheila also revealed that Sherri was happy and glad to be back with her family.
However, several years later, Sheila was taken aback when her sister was arrested for fraud charges, as she had reportedly lied to the authorities about her abduction. When Sherri’s crimes became public, Sheila was asked about her stance in the case and if she still had love for her. To this, she replied, “I don’t think that will ever go away. When you have a sibling, you always love them. I still don’t know why she chose to do what she did. I don’t think I will ever know why. That’s the hard part that all of us have to process.”
Sheila Koester is Leading a Fulfilling Life With Her Loving Husband and Kids Today
While the revelation of Sherri’s truth in 2022 disrupted the peace in Sheila Marie Graeff Koester’s life, she seems to have regained stability over the years. She is a Central Valley High School alum who went on to pursue Liberal Studies at California State University, Chico (class of 2005) and went on to complete the Tri-Placement Program at the same institution in 2007. Interestingly, she also worked at the university for a while. Sheila gained years of experience working as a teacher for 1st Grade students at Nord Country School. While serving as an educator, she was adored by her students and supported by their parents.
Sheila also served as an Independent Consultant for Jamberry, a marketer of nail wraps and professional nail lacquers. Aside from the aforementioned work experiences, she efficiently balances her personal life as well. She has been happily married to Jeff for over two decades. The two embarked on the adventure of a lifetime on May 7, 2003, in the presence of their family and friends. Together, they have built a home packed with warmth, love, and laughter in Chico, California, where they reside with their two adorable kids — a daughter, Kiera, and son, Hunter.
Sheila and Jeff are devoted to their kids, whom they raise with immense love and care. The proud Girl Scout Cookies mom can be spotted promoting the cookies on her social media page during the cookie season. With an active social media presence, she frequently raises awareness about conditions such as dyslexia and autism and is also a staunch advocate for racial equality. Having experienced the pain of having a loved one go missing, the mother of two often uses her platform to shed light on cases of missing individuals. Thus, from what we can tell, Sheila Marie Graeff Koester has been living a life full of content and gratitude, surrounded by her husband and kids.
Read More: Sherri Papini’s Net Worth
