It has been nearly a decade since the name Papini first started flashing across television screens, but the fallout is far from over. If you followed the bizarre case of the "Super Mom" who vanished while jogging in 2016, you probably remember her husband, Keith. He was the face of the desperate search, the man who broke down in tears on national TV, and the one who ultimately had his world shattered when it turned out his wife, Sherri, had faked the whole thing. But since the dust has settled on the prison sentence and the global headlines, people are naturally asking: where is Keith Papini now? Honestly, he’s in the middle of a massive life rebuild. He isn’t that guy from the 2016 news clips anymore. After the 2022 revelation that Sherri had actually been staying with an ex-boyfriend in Southern California while the world looked for her, Keith didn't just sit around. He filed for divorce almost immediately after her arrest. He had to. He’s spent the last few years trying to scrub the "hoax husband" label off his back while raising two kids who have lived through a nightmare most adults couldn't handle.
The Divorce and the Battle for the Kids
By early 2026, the legal ties between Keith and Sherri are effectively severed, but the courtroom drama hasn't stopped. Keith was granted sole legal and physical custody of their children, Tyler and Violet, back in 2023. This wasn't just a standard divorce proceeding; it was an emergency move to protect the kids from the "notoriety" and the psychological impact of their mother’s actions.
Recently, in March 2025 and continuing into early 2026, the pair have been back in front of judges in Shasta County. Sherri, who was released from her halfway house in late 2023, has been pushing for more visitation and "reunification." Keith is digging his heels in. He’s made it pretty clear in court filings that he believes Sherri is still unfit and that her recent attempts to "change her story" again—claiming in a 2025 docuseries that she actually was kidnapped—are proof that she hasn't changed.
Keith basically doesn't talk to her. Unless it’s through a court-appointed mediator or a lawyer, there is zero communication. He’s focused on one thing: keeping those kids stable.
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Life After "The Perfect Wife"
You might have seen Keith on the 2024 Hulu docuseries Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini. That was a big turning point for him. For years, he stayed quiet. People wondered if he was "in on it" or if he was just incredibly naive. In that series, he finally laid it all out. He talked about the "branding" on Sherri's skin, the broken nose, and how he truly believed he was looking at a torture victim when she came home.
Participating in that documentary seemed like a way for him to take back the narrative. He’s no longer the guy being lied to; he’s the guy who survived the lie.
Where does he live?
Keith still resides in the Northern California area, though he has worked hard to keep his specific location private for the sake of his children’s safety. He moved out of the home they shared during the "kidnapping" years ago. He’s trying to give Tyler and Violet a normal life, which is tough when your mom is one of the most famous hoaxers in American history.
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There was actually a moment where Keith considered changing the kids' last names. He brought it up to his son, Tyler, who is now a teenager. Interestingly, the kid said no. He didn't think they should have to change who they are because of their mother's mistakes. Keith reportedly took that to heart. It’s a small detail, but it says a lot about the kind of resilient environment he’s trying to build.
Career and Financial Fallout
Keith used to work as an audiovisual specialist at Best Buy. Nowadays, he keeps a much lower profile. The financial hit from the hoax was massive. While Sherri was ordered to pay over $300,000 in restitution to the government, the family's personal finances were wrecked by the years of private investigators, therapists, and legal fees.
The GoFundMe money—about $50,000—that was raised during the search? That became a major point of contention during the federal investigation. Keith has had to navigate the stigma of that money while proving he had no idea the search was a sham.
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Why Keith Papini’s Current Status Matters
The reason people still search for where is Keith Papini now isn't just morbid curiosity. It’s because he represents the "other" victim in these high-profile hoaxes. We often focus on the criminal, but Keith is the one who had to explain to two children why their mother wasn't coming home, only to later explain why she’d lied about it.
His life in 2026 is defined by:
- Boundary Setting: Keeping Sherri at a distance despite her public "redemption" tours and new documentaries.
- Parenting: Managing the teenage years of two children who are growing up in the shadow of a federal crime.
- Advocacy (Quietly): Showing that it’s possible to move on from a public betrayal without becoming bitter or retreating from the world entirely.
What’s next for him?
Expect more legal skirmishes. As long as Sherri Papini is trying to re-enter the public eye or gain more access to the children, Keith will be in court. He’s reportedly working on his own ways to support his family that don't involve the Papini "brand."
If you’re looking for a takeaway from Keith’s journey, it’s about the "slow build." He didn't get a quick fix or a happy ending. He got a long, difficult road of court dates and hard conversations. But by all accounts, he’s doing the work.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Check Shasta County Court Records: If you want the most up-to-date info on the custody battle, the local superior court filings are where the real, un-sensationalized facts live.
- Watch the Primary Sources: If you want to understand Keith’s headspace, the 2024 Hulu documentary is the most "official" statement he has given.
- Verify New Claims: Sherri’s 2025 claims in Caught in the Lie contradict her own 2022 guilty plea. When reading updates, always check if the info is coming from a court document or a paid TV appearance.