Survivor 48 contestant Shauhin Davari said he dated Sherri Papini when he was 15 and she was 20. He was not the ex-boyfriend who sheltered Papini during her 2016 disappearance: reporting identifies that person as James Reyes. Davari has said he wanted to correct the mistaken identification of him as the man who hid or helped her.
What was Shauhin Davari’s connection to Sherri Papini?
Davari described a teenage relationship with Papini in an interview with Inside Edition, saying he was 15 and she was 20 at the time. Those ages and the relationship are Davari’s account, as reported by the outlet; they should not be confused with the separate role of James Reyes in the 2016 case.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Panteao Productions Women's MakeReadywithNikkiTurpeaux Survivor's Mindset DVD | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Davari told Inside Edition: “I want to stop people from thinking I am the guy who hid her or helped or had any contact with her.” His statement was a clarification about his identity and involvement, not evidence that he took part in the disappearance.
Was Davari the ex-boyfriend involved in the 2016 disappearance?
No. The Sacramento Bee’s reporting distinguishes Davari, another former boyfriend, from James Reyes, the former boyfriend Papini stayed with during her disappearance. The Bee also reported that Davari was not among those contacted by authorities in the investigation.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match#1 Best Overall
- Going to the range and learning how to accurately fire a pistol or revolver is only the first step in learning concealed carry
- Nikki Turpeaux owns Archangel Tactical, LLC and is Founder of the Get A GRIP Ladies Personal Defense & Firearms Training Program
- Curriculum serves women & men in the disciplines of defensive pistol, shotgun, carbine & edged weapons & unarmed defense training
- This is a straight forward lesson from Nikki to you that will get you thinking and help you be better prepared moving forward
Davari has recounted what he considered implausible stories and other red flags from his past with Papini. Those are his recollections and judgments, not independent findings about her conduct. In the Bee interview, he characterized her behavior as “lie, cheat, steal, bat her eyelashes”; that is his description, not an official conclusion.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happened in the Papini case?
The 2016 disappearance and the 2022 guilty plea
According to ABC News, Papini disappeared while jogging in Redding, California, on November 2, 2016, and was found on November 24. She had said that two women abducted her. In 2022, she pleaded guilty to making false statements and mail fraud.
Papini’s later account and Reyes’s denial
In June 2025, Papini told ABC News that Reyes had abducted her, revising the account she had admitted was a hoax. ABC reported that Reyes had denied her allegations and had never been charged. Her 2025 statement is a later, disputed claim; it does not change the distinction between Reyes and Davari or establish Reyes’s guilt.
Papini told ABC News: “There are several versions of what happened out there, several versions. This is mine. This is my words. It’s backed by loads and loads of evidence. And it’s, my heart is in it. It’s vulnerable.” That is her characterization of her account, alongside the earlier guilty plea and Reyes’s denial.
Why Davari’s name became part of the story
Davari’s connection drew attention because he had dated Papini and publicly said people were confusing him with the former boyfriend linked to her disappearance. The reporting supports a clear distinction: Davari’s connection was a past relationship; Reyes was the former boyfriend reported to have sheltered her in 2016. Claims about Papini’s earlier behavior attributed to Davari remain his personal account.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
