Mitrice Richardson disappeared after being arrested by LA Country Sheriffs on September 16, 2009. She was taken to the Lost Hills (Malibu, California) Sheriffs station booked and released sometime after midnight and before dawn later on September 17. She was spotted briefly by a person who lives near the police station but has not been seen in the Los Angeles area since.
Read more about Mitrice's disappearance here
Now word has gotten around that there are reports Mitrice Richardson may have been seen in Las Vegas over the last few weeks. On the surface this is good news. But there are a few things at play here to consider.
First, Mitrice's mom, Latice Sutton, does not think that the most publicized sighting of Mitrice is credible. This sighting involves someone who says he was a friend of Mitrice's in high school and spotted her in Las Vegas at the Rio hotel at about 3 am on a Saturday last month.
"Richardson's mother, Latice Sutton, said she does not believe the sighting at the Rio is credible because Amerson was not a close friend of her daughter's and had not seen her for years. In a press statement on Thursday, she said she "hopes this is not a diversionary tactic to redirect attention and efforts away from where Mitrice was last known to be last seen — leaving" the Sheriff's Department." - LA Times| July 30
Second, both of Mitrice's parents have filed lawsuits against the LA County Sheriffs Department. So that might be motivating the police moreso than this sighting being credible.
"Both of her parents have filed lawsuits against the Sheriff's Department, which has been harshly criticized for not holding her for a mental evaluation. Sheriff's officials have countered that she was acting normally while in custody and that they told her she could stay at the station until someone could pick her up.
Her father, Michael Richardson, said he saw the news conference as a way to deflect attention from his lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday." -LA Times| July 30
But Mitrice's father also believes he saw Mitrice in Las Vegas this past January.
"He's convinced, however, that he saw his daughter on the street when he was visiting Las Vegas in January, though she disappeared before he could catch up with her. Family members and a close friend have said that Sheriff's Lt. Mike Rosson has discussed with them what Richardson might be doing in Las Vegas. "He said they are considering all avenues — including prostitution, night clubs," said Ronda Hampton, a psychologist and friend of Richardson's mother." - LA Times| July 30
The LA Police Department held a news conference in Las Vegas yesterday. They say there have been several sighting of Mitrice in Las Vegas over the last several weeks.
"...bus drivers, waitresses, bartenders and hotel security officers, when shown her photo, have positively identified the Cal State Fullerton graduate, who turned 25 in April. But the reports are typically at least a few days old, and authorities concede they could be inaccurate." - LA Times| July 30
So as you can see there is a lot going one here. The LAPD has their story about what's going on and so does the family. I personally think Mitrice's mom is the most credible party. My only hope in all this is that Mitrice is safe and will be found soon.
The LAPD is going to be in Las Vegas at least through this weekend looking for Mitrice.
See Mitrice's mother's website here
14 comments:
After seeing the picture of Mitrice Richardson on your blog last week, I did a search for her online and found some videos on youtube.
I reslly hope they find this girl alive and safe, I truly do.
Thank for the update Val, I hope she is ok and gets the help that she needs.
Damn! I had such high hopes that things were finally working out. This story, this sista and her true whereabouts just becomes an even deeper enigma.
One.
Good read. I had felt that her appearance and find would be a good thing for both her and her family. But it looks like the sightings might be a simple case of false reports.
Have to keep us posted on Mitrice's case, as it develops.
@Beauty and Health Editor
I have been following this story since the day after she disappeared. So this latest info is both good and frustrating at the same time. I, too, just hope that she's found safe.
@Jason
Yep, that's the important thing. She will def need a lot of help once she's found.
@Lin
Yep, this is a mystery wrapped in a mystery for sure. I hope these leads pan out. But the fact that her mom isn't really believing them makes me think they aren't as good as the LAPD wants us to think.
@Don
Thanks. Yeah I think everyone, including me, was just so happy to hear something new about her. Her mom seems to be the voice of reason though.
I'll def keep you posted.
Thank you for caring!
@Felicia Monique
Thank you you too.
I saw this story on Headline News late late late or should I say early early early Saturday Morning. I guess something is better than nothing.
@Co
In this case something is def better than nothing because it keeps Mitrice's name in the news.
Val,
I just rec'd this very tragic news via my email from my LA Times update:
Los Angeles Times | Aug. 12, 2010 | 8:35 a.m.
The skeletal remains found in Malibu Canyon 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.
The identification of the remains, found deep in a ravine by park rangers checking for marijuana plants, brings to a grim close the much-publicized mystery over the whereabouts of the Cal State Fullerton graduate who would have celebrated her 25th birthday in April.
More soon at http://www.latimes.com
Thanks, Lin. I just got the information too. I'm so sad right now.
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