Mentions of self-harm and violence.
Summary
Hulu’sPerfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papinireveals that its titular subject was branded during her kidnapping hoax. Of course, that isn’t the only shocking detail that the three-part docuseries unearths about the unbelievably true story of Sherri Papini. In November 2016, Papini was reportedly out jogging roughly a mile from her Redding, California home when she was abducted by two women. Three weeks later, the mother and wife reappeared on Thanksgiving Day, wearing the remnants of her supposed kidnappers' restraints. A real-lifeGone Girlof sorts,Sherri Papini’s case garnered national media attention.
However, despite all the press surrounding Papini’s alleged abduction, her inconsistent and overly detailed story didn’t sit right with law enforcement officials. As chronicled in Hulu’sPerfect Wifedocuseries, Sherri’s lies began to crumble as federal agents garnered additional clues as to what really happened. Eventually,it became clear that Papini fabricated her abduction. The women she claimed kidnapped her didn’t exist. Instead, Papini spent weeks hiding out in the home of her ex-boyfriend, James Reyes. Not only did Sherri Papini lie about her abduction, she attempted to give credence to her tall tale by engaging in self-harm.
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Sherri Papini Shoulder Branding Explained
In the third and final episode ofHulu’s true-crime docuseries,Perfect Wifereveals that Sherri Papini has a brand on her shoulder. After years of investigation, federal agents discover that Papini reached out to James Reyes for help. Thinking that Sherri wanted to leave her marriage and needed support, Reyes agreed to pick Papini up on November 2 — the day of her supposed abduction. While hiding out in James Reyes' home,Sherri Papini asked her ex-boyfriend to do a number of bizarre, violent things. Wanting to help, Reyes followed through without questioning Sherri’s motives.
The brand, which reads “Exodus” with a corresponding Bible verse, is, ironically, a reference to a passage that discusses the subject of kidnapping.
Perfect Wifeshows thatwhat happened to Sherri Papiniwere intentionally plotted acts of self-harm. To make her story more convincing, she tells Reyes to hit hockey pucks at her or use a hockey stick to bruise her. At one point, Sherri even rams her body into the walls of James' home, breaking her nose and turning her skin black-and-blue. Eventually,things escalate even further, resulting in the brand on Sherri’s shoulder. The brand, which reads “Exodus” with a corresponding Bible verse, is, ironically, a reference to a passage that discusses the subject of kidnapping.
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Who Actually Branded Sherri Papini
Papini’s Ex-Boyfriend James Reyes Branded Sherri After She Asked Him To
In addition to discussingwhat happened to James Reyes after Sherri Papini’s hoax,Perfect Wifecasts an illuminating light on Reyes' involvement in Papini’s scheme. After allowing Sherri Papini to hide out in his home, Reyes agrees to put boards over the windows of her bedroom and watches (and even participates) as Sherri batters and bruises herself. Wanting to paint an even more convincing kidnapping story, Sherri decides to brand her skin. ThePerfect Wife’s subject tells James to buy wood-burning tools from the hardware store, which, by Sherri Papini’s request, he uses to brand her skin with “Exodus.”
Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papiniis now streaming on Hulu.
Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini
Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini (2024) is a true crime television series that explores the baffling case of Sherri Papini’s 2016 disappearance and her unexpected return three weeks later. The series delves into the investigation, media frenzy, and the unfolding mystery surrounding Papini’s ordeal, featuring interviews with law enforcement, experts, and those close to the case.
