UPDATE: Bones Found in Malibu Canyon Identified as Mitrice Richardson
Update I, 12:02 pm:
The skeletal remains found in Malibu Canyon on Monday afternoon have been identified by authorities as those of Mitrice Richardson, the young woman who vanished nearly a year ago after being released from the Lost Hills/Malibu Sheriff’s Station, according to a source familiar with the investigation. [link]
According to CNN, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office hopes to release results Thursday morning of their examination of skeletal remains found in a remote area of Malibu Canyon.
The family of Mitrice Richardson, who has been missing for almost a year, visited the site where the bones were found on Monday. The remains, which included a human skull, were found by park rangers searching the area for illegal marijuana groves.
“It’s incredibly treacherous terrain,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore of the remote site. “There is no road, no trail even if you know exactly where you are going.”
The LA Times reported that the remains were those of a female who had been exposed to the elements “for quite a while.” Female clothing, including a pair of Levis blue jeans, were found near the body. When last seen alive, Mitrice was wearing a brown Bob Marley t-shirt and blue jeans.
Mitirce’s mother, Litrice Richardson, held a news conference on Tuesday outside the coroner’s office to appeal to LA County officials to let her view the clothing.
Despite police evidence that Mitrice was last seen wearing blue jeans, Litrice Richardson said, “I do know that my daughter was wearing jeans that night.”
Richardson, who would be 25 now, vanished after leaving a Los Angeles County sheriff’s station in Malibu during the early morning hours of September 17, 2009.
She had been arrested the previous evening for allegedly not paying her bill at an upscale Malibu restaurant. The restaurant manager said Mitrice appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.
Earlier this year, an acquaintance of Richardson’s claimed he saw her inside a Las Vegas casino. Her father also said he spotted a woman on a Las Vegas street corner who looked like Mitrice.
Mitrice, a former beauty pageant contestant, was openly gay to her friends and family.
Thanks to loyal reader HD Kaplan for the tip!
Related posts:
- Is Mitrice Richardson Alive and Living in Las Vegas?
- Mitrice Richardson Arrested, Released, then Disappeared: Are the Cops to Blame?
- Mitrice Richardson Case Ruled a Homicide
- R.I.P. Natasha Richardson
- Lindsay Lohan Speaks Out On Tragic Death of Natasha Richardson
85 Responses to “UPDATE: Bones Found in Malibu Canyon Identified as Mitrice Richardson”
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I can’t believe it’s a whole year it seems so much shorter IDK what to say I’m perplexed
That’s a damn shame.
I can’t imagine the pain her family is going through.
I was hoping they’d find her alive. If it is her, at least they’ll have “closure.” It’s a very sad story.
Geez, I was praying they found her alive and well. If the body turns out to be hers, the family still won’t have any closure because they don’t know exactly what happened to her after she left the police department. This really sucks. Didn’t they have these woods searched before? I couldn’t imagine what her family must be going through.
Sandra, what does her sexual orientation have to do with the fact that she’s missing and now possibly deceased? SMH.
So there were recent sightings of her but now they think they found her remains? I pray it’s not her but sadly enough it’s someones child. Why are the blue jeans a clue? Most ppl wear blue jeans.
Is this the girl that was said to be living in Vegas working as an escort?
It is sad whoever it is… not sure what this has to do with real “celebrites” though.
The news is so depressing these days….
This is so sad but I agree, if it is at least they will have closure.
@ Man, Sandra is giving updates on a story she posted last year. This site is the only place I’ve seen anything on Mitrice.
I hope its not her. Its so sad.
@CINDERELLA
“Sandra is giving updates on a story she posted last year. This site is the only place I’ve seen anything on Mitrice.”
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Yeah, I know. But I was wondering why it was posted originally last year (or whenever).
I guess cause she’s a confirmed lesbian.
My prayers go out to her family
the cops did it
IM THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS HER AND GYPSY FAVORS?
I wonder what was going on in that girls head that night? She went crazy at this resturant, sitting with people that she did not know and she could not pay her tab. That is why she was taken to jail. The police where dead wrong for releasing her out in the dark by hearself when she was obviously having a mental episode…
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
@CINDERELLA
“Sandra is giving updates on a story she posted last year. This site is the only place I’ve seen anything on Mitrice.”
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Yeah, I know. But I was wondering why it was posted originally last year (or whenever).
I guess cause she’s a confirmed lesbian
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The story was more so about a woman who was released from jail in the wee hrs of the night and disappeared. It was suspected as foul play w/the police department.
God bless her and her family. Hope all are at peace.
I remember you posting this story and it breaking my
it still does. While I 
this woman is still alive if she’s not I hope this is her so her family can bury her and get some closure.
oh boy, so sad
@iscream – I’ve been following that case since Day 1, along with the trial. I think he should’ve gotten 1st degree murder. This story is one of the saddest I’ve ever heard!
The trial was unbelievable and very heart-wrenching!
@isc…I remember that one. There’s still more to that story
CivilEngineer says:
@isc…I remember that one. There’s still more to that story
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Didn’t the little girl get examined, and the results were that there was no signs of sexual abuse/penetration?
LaTechGrad02 says:
Sandra, what does her sexual orientation have to do with the fact that she’s missing and now possibly deceased? SMH.
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Because she was a proud member of the Rainbow nation. And she was so impossibly cute!
CivilEngineer says:
Is this the girl that was said to be living in Vegas working as an escort?
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Yes. I always believed that “acquaintance” was lying to get attention. Who observes a missing woman for 3 hours without calling the cops?
I hope it wasnt her but if it is her mom can gain some measure of closure.
@Anna – Yes. When they took her to the ER, the examining doctor found no evidence, yet when the baby’s pediatrician saw her a few days later, he found a small vaginal laceration. There’s no telling where that come from. All around, the whole situation is tragic to say the least for the baby girl, for her brother, and for the family, especially the ones that saw the FATHER execute his own son.
The coroner just released the report – those are her remains. So sad =(
Oh man! Poor Mitrice. My heart goes out to her family and friends. RIP Mitrice. I hope whomever did this gets caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent.
melinla says:
The coroner just released the report – those are her remains. So sad =(
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Yes indeed sad.
@SANDRA
“Sandra, what does her sexual orientation have to do with the fact that she’s missing and now possibly deceased? SMH.
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Because she was a proud member of the Rainbow nation. And she was so impossibly cute!”
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I KNEW IT WAS SOMETHING SANDRA!
Wasn’t/isn’t she “mentally ill” or something? Than again, the pretty ones always are.
melinla says:
The coroner just released the report – those are her remains. So sad =(
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I sure was hoping it wasn’t her!
Well at least they know. I would rather know than hold out… :/
RIP and peace to her family.
melinla says:
The coroner just released the report – those are her remains. So sad =(
That is sad, sadder than sad.
Hopefully this brings some type of closure to the family
So sad…The worst part is I either read or saw on Jane Valez show “Issues” that Matrice called her mom from jail to come get her and she said no and wanted to teach her a lesson…just so, so, sad. Any good evidence has been washed away for sure.
This is very sad and tragic news. I was really hoping that she was found alive. Praying for her family and friends.
Family is in my prayers. So sad that her life ended that way. All this time she was out there and who knows what actually happened to her. Just heartbreaking.
cheeks8683 says:
So sad…The worst part is I either read or saw on Jane Valez show “Issues” that Matrice called her mom from jail to come get her and she said no and wanted to teach her a lesson…just so, so, sad. Any good evidence has been washed away for sure.
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Yeah her mom didn’t want to go get her. I don’t blame the mom though. The police lied and said they let her go in the wee hrs. because they didn’t have an available cell, if I remember there were 5 empty cells that night. Something happened before they released her.
Sandra can we get a post about the chick from the show My Wife and kids beating her husband. She always looked crazy to me
So sad… My prayers go out to her family during the very emotional and difficult time….. I was so hoping that they found her alive…
The story with the father killing his son is so heartbreaking OMG…
Well Damn I don’t know what happened I hope I don’t try to teach my children lessons like that-are they sure she wasn’t attacked by a coyote I’m so damn confused how she wandered into that territory…
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
Wasn’t/isn’t she “mentally ill” or something? Than again, the pretty ones always are.
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Maybe its just me but I feel like there is more to the story of what happened to her. She wasn’t in her right mind- and was released in the wee hours….it just seems like the officers at the Malibu sheriff’s station know more than what they’re telling. Why do I get the feeling that they possibly did something to her?
@ anna…shoot if I got a phone call in the middle of the night from any number of my fam members I would have prolly been like I’ma hit u up in the morning keeping it real. There is something definately up. I would think they could have at least had a squad car bring her home, just stupid that they let her out in the middle of the night when she has issues. Her mug shot even looked crazy…smh
This doesn’t sound right at all…obviously alot of the story is missing. So sad – my heart aches for her family.
Its sad it ended this way but I’m glad they found her so there can be closure and hopefully they can find who did this. Damn shame though
Nooooo! i saw her dad on tv last night and he was so hopeful that she was still alive. sad ending and the police/sheriff’s office should be investigated thoroughly.
This is truly sad. I was hoping that she would be found alive. Hopefully, this will give the family closure and some kind of peace.
CivilEngineer says: Is this the girl that was said to be living in Vegas working as an escort?
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Sandra Rose says: Yes. I always believed that “acquaintance” was lying to get attention. Who observes a missing woman for 3 hours without calling the cops?
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her own father said last night that he scoured vegas for days and thought HE saw her also. it was chick with the same look, mannerism and walk as mitrice.
Very sad !!!!
“I have yet to meet an impossibly cute chick who doesn’t have mental issues, whether subtle or overt.” -SR
Y’all aint right! So what? Ugly ppl crazy too. Crazy for thinking they aint! Haha.
cheeks8683 says: So sad…The worst part is I either read or saw on Jane Valez show “Issues” that Matrice called her mom from jail to come get her and she said no and wanted to teach her a lesson…just so, so, sad. Any good evidence has been washed away for sure.
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yep, and for the record, jane continued to follow up on the progress of the investigation and had family and reporters featured whenever there was a lead or press conference.
Im at home watching the news conference and Sheriff Baca is extra defensive. He said he doesn’t think the body will give any clues
how sad. I was hoping she was okay…
Hey everybodyyyyyyy
this relocating chit…no bueno
@Ms. Everything – I’m sure he is. He probably knows what went down and doesn’t want it to get out. How does HE know if the body will give any clues? Don’t they have forensic teams/investigators to determine that? Something smells very fishy too me.
Hey His! You reppin’ East coast yet?
and Snooty betta werk bish! with that kayuteeee gravi! *zsnaps*
Wowzers what a shame I had a feeling it would end up this way…. Prayer definitely go out to her loved ones…
I think the cops did something to her or she got attacked by a wild animal. I know there are crazy people out there in this world but for some reason IDK if that was her fate that night..
Wow. I was hoping they would find her alive, somewhere. RIP. My prayers are with her family.
OTB, my e-bew
I sure am….im beyond exhausted woman!
Hello All. This story is so very sad. Condelences to her family. Oftentimes we black folks “make over” pretty folks so much it often gives them a “I’m better than you” complex. Take my older sister, high-yella, long, silky hair, beautiful, clear complexion and brght smile, still at 62. When she was a lttle girl, er body ooohed and ahhhed over her constantly: my, what pretty hair(you know how we are bout ‘good hair’), what a pretty little girl. It was constant. Her head is still big as sh!t today! And yes, I love her to death but she can be such an air head, always comparing herself to someone else. There are billions of people in the world so its almost guaranteed that there will ALWAYS be someone prettier, smarter, funnier, bgger car, house, more talented, etc, than yourself, ALWAYS. This is why its so fruitless to be jealous, such a wasted energy! Folks in the hood be jealous if you have more sh!t paper than them. I’m just saying. Love you family. Keep prayed up ’cause there’s lots happening in the world and it ain’t pretty, just gonna get worse but sometimes, like I often preach, it’s the choices that we make in like. Choose carefully! Peaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
@ Ebony
I saw that story on the wife and kids girl on RWS. She must got that good, good if hubby got his butt whipped, filed for an emergency divorce just to withdraw it the next day.
I wonder who the text was from?
“Who the hail is this bytch that keeps texting you!?”
“Baby that’s low cell. My battery is dead.”
“So why is that bytch staring over here. I see her looking at you.”
“Baby that’s a mirror. That’s you.”.
KrayZ he said the body was too exposed to the elements to turn up much evidence but at this point they don’t suggest homicide. He stopped talking and then the coroner said they used dental records to identify her and that it appears she was living up there with another group of people who have items of hers to return to the family but they’ll doing further investigation. He threw shade at the family for contacting the media though
Prayers and condolences to her family! At least now they can move forward and hopefully get LAPD to change their policies after this tragedy!
Ms. Everything says:
KrayZ he said the body was too exposed to the elements to turn up much evidence but at this point they don’t suggest homicide. He stopped talking and then the coroner said they used dental records to identify her and that it appears she was living up there with another group of people who have items of hers to return to the family but they’ll doing further investigation. He threw shade at the family for contacting the media though
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Ok, so she was supposedly living up there with another group of people? Why wouldn’t she or the other people contact her family? I guess they didn’t know she was missing? IDK, Ms. Everything – something just doesn’t add up. Also, what did the good sheriff expect the family to do? This is THEIR family member. SMH.
Ms. Everything, I’m willing to be the “investigation” will probably die right along with poor Mitrice. I’ll have to keep checking the L.A. Times.
Hmmmmm
*bet*
Sandra Rose says:
LaTechGrad02 says:
Sandra, what does her sexual orientation have to do with the fact that she’s missing and now possibly deceased? SMH.
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Because she was a proud member of the Rainbow nation. And she was so impossibly cute!
August 12, 2010 at 11:57 am
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@Sandra, I’m so glad you cleared that up. You are too funny.
**I’ll say it…**
Police said her body was found about 2.5 miles from where she was last seen. They couldn’t have searched too hard for her.
I believe she had some type of fit in the police station, they tried to restrain her and probably killed her in the process and then decided to cover it up with the release because there was no room story.
This is a shame sin and a scandel
Lawd Jesus
This is why I stopped watching the news
So Sad… So So Sad….. I’ll keep the family in my prayers… I hope they will some how mind closure….
mochacashmere says:
I believe she had some type of fit in the police station, they tried to restrain her and probably killed her in the process and then decided to cover it up with the release because there was no room story.
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That was my thought. It took almost a yr. for the body to be discovered by Rangers, they knew where to hide her body.
Y do you have to put that she was openly gay?
@HIS………
Thank you momma this move will be over soon
I am from California and not to sure how many wild animals are in malibu..
Such a sad, tragic ending to this story. May she R.I.P.
Sandra Rose says:
LaTechGrad02 says:
Sandra, what does her sexual orientation have to do with the fact that she’s missing and now possibly deceased? SMH.
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Because she was a proud member of the Rainbow nation. And she was so impossibly cute!
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I was going to ask the same question….but than Sandra’s response cracked me up
As many emails and cop shows I’ve seen I know there are cameras in the police station. I’m wondering did they release the tapes of them letting her go? Or any tapes of them having her in there and what went on.
The police may have been negligent in releasing her on the late night with nothing but that doesn’t mean they done anything to her. She was crazy enough to sit at a table with other people and act a fool she could have been crazy enough to wonder in them woods and take a nap. Stranger things have happened…
GOD I HATE THE POLICE.
The issue here, imo, is partly race related and partly a matter of police culture. Number one, cops are racist. We all know it. I had a run in a few nights ago with a cop who singled my Somali fiance and I out for some random search on a PUBLIC SIDEWALK and when I tried to file a complaint I was met with the blue wall of denial. I tried to remain calm and respectful throughout the process but after being brushed off, separated from my fiance [as he was with other officers he was completely disrespected and not listened to] I ended up screaming “you’re a bunch of ****ing racist assholes!” and walking out. My fiance has PTSD from surviving atrocities in the Somalian civil war as a child and he was holding back sobs after this ordeal, deep seated distrust of uniforms.
This girl was brushed off thoughtlessly because the police DON’T CARE.
“The investigative report recommends a series of changes, but they are little more than procedural tinkering, designed to insulate the department from liability, not protect vulnerable detainees.
What’s needed at that station is a cultural change, a respect for humanity, not just for procedures.”
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-banks-20100814,0,7069567.column?page=2&utm_medium=feed&track=rss&utm_campaign=Feed:%20latimes/news/local%20(L.A.%20Times%20-%20California%20|%20Local%20News)&utm_source=feedburner
Exactly.
Her bizarre behavior prior to vanishing into the night may have been some strange ploy to get out of paying her bill, but it may also have been a genuine mental break. It reminds me of the Morgan Dana Harrington case in only one way: both girls were exhibiting bizarre behavior prior to disappearance. This makes it a lot harder to rule scenarios in and out. Have they determined/released a cause of death yet?