CA CA - Mitrice Richardson, 24, Malibu, 17 Sep 2009

[pinkzebra]

I feel so sad for the family of this woman, I truly do. I think its wrong to blame LE. Its been stated before they LE is "damned if they do, damned if they don't",and I believe that. They offered to let her stay and she didn't, they had no authority to hold her, and if they did and something happened, LE would STILL fall under all this criticism. They really CAN'T win. Maybe they tried to convince her to stay, but she became adamant and wanted to leave.....they couldn't FORCE her to stay. Suing LE isn't going to bring her back unfortunately. I don't know how I would feel if this were to have happened to my child, and I hope I never find out, but I'd like to believe that this was a freak episode that really had no correct way to handle it without some sort of repercussion. LE, in my opinion, does the best they can given the limitations that have been put on them by situations such as these. Keep them, let them go, give them a ride home, call a cab, I mean, what really SHOULD have happened without transgressing on her rights? She didn't want to stay, so I don't see how LE can be blamed. Everyone wants to sue which only hurts the taxpayers in the long run, and to shove blame off on others. This was so horrible and I really feel bad for everyone involved, but I think its really wrong to blame the officers who were there and really know what went on. I hope I'm not offending anyone but I respect and admire the job LE does for the small amount of pay, the blame they have to shoulder when things don't turn out the way the public thinks it should have and the fact they place themselves in danger to protect the public. I'm sure there are mistakes made by officers, just like families and ALL of us make mistakes, I just don't see where they did in this case. Just my opinion, and being a newbie here, I hope I haven't offended anyone. I really am heartsick for her and her family.

 

[UCLAEigenguy]

I am familiar with Malibu Canyon, I've driven through it many times when I was growing up. It is huge, and there are lots of wilderness. Are there still mountain lions up there as well?

I'm sure there are. We get them in the residential areas a few miles away from wilderness. There are occasional bears as well, but not sure if they frequent the canyon.

 

[KR2tonenow]

I'm sure there are. We get them in the residential areas a few miles away from wilderness. There are occasional bears as well, but not sure if they frequent the canyon.

Thanks...I know living up North in Cali we get some mountain lions that come down from the mountains. This is what crossed my mind. Since we have witness stating that MR was reported being seen in their backyard 6:30am. If not for that statement, I would be inclined to think homicide. But honestly, I am leaning towards animal attack.

 

[Fairy1]

I feel so sad for the family of this woman, I truly do. I think its wrong to blame LE. Its been stated before they LE is "damned if they do, damned if they don't",and I believe that. They offered to let her stay and she didn't, they had no authority to hold her, and if they did and something happened, LE would STILL fall under all this criticism. They really CAN'T win. Maybe they tried to convince her to stay, but she became adamant and wanted to leave.....they couldn't FORCE her to stay. Suing LE isn't going to bring her back unfortunately. I don't know how I would feel if this were to have happened to my child, and I hope I never find out, but I'd like to believe that this was a freak episode that really had no correct way to handle it without some sort of repercussion. LE, in my opinion, does the best they can given the limitations that have been put on them by situations such as these. Keep them, let them go, give them a ride home, call a cab, I mean, what really SHOULD have happened without transgressing on her rights? She didn't want to stay, so I don't see how LE can be blamed. Everyone wants to sue which only hurts the taxpayers in the long run, and to shove blame off on others. This was so horrible and I really feel bad for everyone involved, but I think its really wrong to blame the officers who were there and really know what went on. I hope I'm not offending anyone but I respect and admire the job LE does for the small amount of pay, the blame they have to shoulder when things don't turn out the way the public thinks it should have and the fact they place themselves in danger to protect the public. I'm sure there are mistakes made by officers, just like families and ALL of us make mistakes, I just don't see where they did in this case. Just my opinion, and being a newbie here, I hope I haven't offended anyone. I really am heartsick for her and her family.

Under other circumstances, I would agree with you 100%. But we have heard conflicting reports as to Mitrice's mental state following her arrest. And I think the Malibu PD staff is probably well-compensated.

Again, I cannot understand WHY they would have let her leave with NONE of her belongings. She was 24 at the time; surely they KNEW she would have to have her ID on her. Yet they let her go - empty handed. No car, no money, no ID. Nothing.

Sorry - but it's just NOT ok. No matter how you spin it.

 

[KR2tonenow]

This is from 3 years ago:

Mountain Lions attack animals in Malibu area Posted by Kendra J. Richardson on Sep 11, 2007 - 12:22:55 PM

MALIBU - Known as home throughout the year by many, mountain lions have taken up residence in Malibu and have begun a vicious cycle that has some residents fearing for their pets safeties. In recent weeks, several reports have surfaced from the Malibu area citing vicious attacks by mountain lions on local cats and dogs within the Malibu area. Many residents aren’t sure how to keep their pets safe from the foothill cats that are attacking them. Many dogs and cats are standing their ground and guards, but more are losing the battles against the mountain lions. Malibu residents are being frequently reminded to keep up their guards and to keep their animals in safe locations; away from the site of a mountain lion.
Studies of the mountain lion attacks report that California has seen hundreds of animal attacks and deaths as a result of the mountain lions in areas such as Malibu. Scientific research has found that drought conditions are nesting grounds for mountain lions and California has become a prominent area for mountain lions that are following deer into the region.
Residents are being asked to proceed through their daily lives with caution and to keep their animals in safe arrangements while the lions are on the prowl. The increase in mountain lions is expected to increase as the drought conditions worsen in the foothill regions.

 

[KR2tonenow]

Under other circumstances, I would agree with you 100%. But we have heard conflicting reports as to Mitrice's mental state following her arrest. And I think the Malibu PD staff is probably well-compensated.

Again, I cannot understand WHY they would have let her leave with NONE of her belongings. She was 24 at the time; surely they KNEW she would have to have her ID on her. Yet they let her go - empty handed. No car, no money, no ID. Nothing.

Sorry - but it's just NOT ok. No matter how you spin it.

Right, I hate to argue about LE. We all know how hard and dedicated these folks are. But Malibu is hugely funded with these very wealthy neighbors. I imagine they get some domestic dispute or drunk drivers. Mental evaluations can be conducted by clinicians. They could have held her till one was obtained via Los Angeles. 3 more hours tops...

 

[Recovering-Lurker]

Here is the podcast from the Frosty, Heidi and Frank radio show where Mitrice's mom called in today. It's the one dated today. They start talking to her mom at the 11:45 mark in the podcast, but they start talking about the case from the very beginning of the podcast.

http://www.frostyheidiandfrank.com/podcasts.asp

 

[RubyRed]

The guy that called 911 in the morning said he asked her if she was okay and she said she was just resting. Then he said next thing he knew she was gone again. He also said if she came from the area he thought she did she was way off of the trail to be in his yard.

 

[krista]

This is so horrible.

Prayers for Mitrice and her family. The complete roller-coaster ride this family has gone through in the past few weeks has been so difficult to watch.
As much as I KNOW LE wasn't TRYING to treat this family and Mitrice any worse than they had already done.....the kick to the gut is that I barely heard mention of Mitrice being found deceased just miles from where she was last seen.......while I heard a TON of claims a week ago that she had been 'spotted in Vegas working as a prostitute'.
I sincerely hope more media outlets will pick up this story and remind the public that this was a beautiful, intelligent girl who had her whole life ahead of her. She deserves to be honored and remembered for who she actually is.

 

[Fairy1]

The guy that called 911 in the morning said he asked her if she was okay and she said she was just resting. Then he said next thing he knew she was gone again. He also said if she came from the area he thought she did she was way off of the trail to be in his yard.

IMO - she never should have been there in the first place.

 

[trafficsUP66]

To Protect and To Serve.

As Bethany Marshall said on NG tonight--there's the Letter of the Law and the SPIRIT of the Law.

I do NOT believe that Mitrice's mother would have given the SO any difficulty had they gone that extra step for this young woman's SAFETY and kept her in a cell for the night. Maybe, maybe Mitrice herself might have BUT, if reports are true, and she was behaving so oddly, that Dept. would've been easily able to JUSTIFY holding her in order to PROTECT her. Her own mother practically begged the officer she spoke to--KEEP her or if you don't I WILL COME AND GET HER.

Not even a SIMPLE phone call to her mother to say no, we cannot hold her. She seems to be alert and making sense and is INSISTING on her right to be released, by law we can't hold her against her will?? Even from 80- mi away, there would have been a huge difference in her being recovered alive as opposed to this alternative had her mother got that one call to come and get her daughter.

There is procedure and there is common sense.

She could NOT have been 'fine' when she left because at 6:30 AM she was STILL WANDERING and hanging all over a stranger's doorsteps???

I am USUALLY on the side of LE--I cannot think of any case before this that I've been so upset and so.........angry! Not ever.
But, they not only sent her off in the middle of the very worst time of night, they sent her without her own property--if she was ok enough to be released, why not with her car and purse and phone???? Procedure???

I live in the woods, don't even have a 'downtown' and I can tell you, the PD here wouldn't release my 25 yr old brother to walk out of their station at 1 AM after wrecking his car. They refused. He was told he had to call someone, anyone or they'd have him sleep in an unlocked cell until morning.
And, he wasn't injured, acting strange, or under the influence.

I am definitely not one who believes in the power of lawsuits. I'm not concerned with the family getting huge $$$ or the state having to pay big for this "mistake". We're talking about a human life here, and sometimes, lawsuits need to be used if that's what it takes for change. I just want this investigated to the fullest, for the LE 'procedure' to change and/or for the public, US, to feel safe in the knowledge this will never happen again! We need to find out exactly what happened. I pray she did not come to harm at the hands of some freak who happened to be on the prowl that morning.........we surely don't want to blame LE without reason BUT we do need to help CORRECT them, whether the LEO's or the law, in order to effect CHANGE.

I felt her mother's pain and anguish to the point I started bawling myself during the JVM show.

My heart goes out to them and to the community.

 

[RubyRed]

IMO - she never should have been there in the first place.

I know. She didn't ask for help, so she must have still been in crisis. What a shame this is. In this day and time no one should be let out on the streets at midnight, without a cell, transportation etc. It just isn't safe.

Her Mother said she didn't know the area. Does anyone know why Mitrice was in that area then?

 

[UCLAEigenguy]

I know. She didn't ask for help, so she must have still been in crisis. What a shame this is. In this day and time no one should be let out on the streets at midnight, without a cell, transportation etc. It just isn't safe.

Her Mother said she didn't know the area. Does anyone know why Mitrice was in that area then?

She was at Geoffrey's. Unknown reason but it seems like she was expecting somebody to join her.

On the other hand, the waiter, or somebody else at Geoffrey's ask her something along the lines of "what's the occasion?" (total speculation) and her response was "I'm here to be with nature" or something like that.

 

[trafficsUP66]

This is so horrible.

Prayers for Mitrice and her family. The complete roller-coaster ride this family has gone through in the past few weeks has been so difficult to watch.
As much as I KNOW LE wasn't TRYING to treat this family and Mitrice any worse than they had already done.....the kick to the gut is that I barely heard mention of Mitrice being found deceased just miles from where she was last seen.......while I heard a TON of claims a week ago that she had been 'spotted in Vegas working as a prostitute'.
I sincerely hope more media outlets will pick up this story and remind the public that this was a beautiful, intelligent girl who had her whole life ahead of her. She deserves to be honored and remembered for who she actually is.

And, her mother KNEW that couldn't be her daughter.

She's had enough common sense to know better, more than can be said for the SD and some of the Talking Head's---she could only believe they MUST go back to the last place she was at. And she was right.

Come on, how would she get to Vegas, then, without any ID or money--credit card use etc, have the ability to be seen around town and in night clubs. I don't even know the girl and that made no sense. From wondering aimlessly in the canyon early AM to almost a YEAR later, 'credible' sightings in the big city???

 

[KR2tonenow]

I find it pretty odd that there was all this media speculation that MR was viewed in Las Vegas. I didn't buy it at all. Easy to find beautiful women in Las Vegas. But why all of a sudden were people looking at Vegas? MR was found in the canyon 3 miles from the police station. How come searchers weren't able to find her???

I hope MR's father asks for a FULL investigation.

 

[UCLAEigenguy]

I find it pretty odd that there was all this media speculation that MR was viewed in Las Vegas. I didn't buy it at all. Easy to find beautiful women in Las Vegas. But why all of a sudden were people looking at Vegas? MR was found in the canyon 3 miles from the police station. How come searchers weren't able to find her???

I hope MR's father asks for a FULL investigation.

I agree, it's weird. The family is devastated so I don't believe the family was involved, but that is what someone would think if they saw this weird timeline of events, without seeing how desperate the parents were to find her. Like the Vegas sighting could be used to throw off her true location.

If the police were involved, that would explain why they jumped on the sightings in Vegas, but I do not really think that is the case. Of course it's possible. Now that there are remains, hopefully there will be a thorough investigation. I think this could get interesting.

Personally, I think there could be a paranormal explanation to the timing and the sightings. Sorry, MOO.

In terms of the length of the search, I think it was poor detective work. They focused too much on Malibu Canyon and the State Park, and not enough on the sighting in Monte Nido, which of course now seems confirmed. One thing that bothers me about missing persons cases is that too much is based on raw evidence, and not enough on science or intuition. It was not very hard for me to hypothesize that if she was in the canyon, she was somewhere near where she was last seen, and not in Malibu Canyon proper since that had already been searched thoroughly.

The mural scenario is creepy now though.

 

[Gypsy Road]

Under other circumstances, I would agree with you 100%. But we have heard conflicting reports as to Mitrice's mental state following her arrest. And I think the Malibu PD staff is probably well-compensated.

Again, I cannot understand WHY they would have let her leave with NONE of her belongings. She was 24 at the time; surely they KNEW she would have to have her ID on her. Yet they let her go - empty handed. No car, no money, no ID. Nothing.

Sorry - but it's just NOT ok. No matter how you spin it.

God Bless Mitrice's family. I can not even begin to fathom what they are going through. God Bless them all. How horrible to know something is not right with your daughter and that she goes missing from a police station after they let her go in the middle of the night! The police are suppose to protect. They fell down on the job big time here.

I think the police did so many things wrong here, but I've never heard the reason why they let her go in the middle of the night without HER belongings? Why would they hold them? Was it an over-sight? Why would they release someone without their ID? Doesn't make any sense.

 

[Gypsy Road]

Not to be morbid here, but if an animal got Mitrice and killed her, hopefully her clothes found nearby will show evidence of that.

 

[Gypsy Road]

Wow...I'm just listening to all the 911 calls and my heart breaks for her mother even more! From the get go - her mother KNEW something was wrong!!! I had known that, but I didn't hear all the calls until now. This poor mom did EVERYTHING right!!! These calls are so heartbreaking. Oh gosh! I wish the Malibu police would have gone out to look for her THAT morning as soon as her mom called. Mitrice could have been found - I mean - there were sightings of her!

 

[Natal]

I feel so sad for the family of this woman, I truly do. I think its wrong to blame LE. Its been stated before they LE is "damned if they do, damned if they don't",and I believe that. They offered to let her stay and she didn't, they had no authority to hold her, and if they did and something happened, LE would STILL fall under all this criticism. They really CAN'T win. Maybe they tried to convince her to stay, but she became adamant and wanted to leave.....they couldn't FORCE her to stay. Suing LE isn't going to bring her back unfortunately. I don't know how I would feel if this were to have happened to my child, and I hope I never find out, but I'd like to believe that this was a freak episode that really had no correct way to handle it without some sort of repercussion. LE, in my opinion, does the best they can given the limitations that have been put on them by situations such as these. Keep them, let them go, give them a ride home, call a cab, I mean, what really SHOULD have happened without transgressing on her rights? She didn't want to stay, so I don't see how LE can be blamed. Everyone wants to sue which only hurts the taxpayers in the long run, and to shove blame off on others. This was so horrible and I really feel bad for everyone involved, but I think its really wrong to blame the officers who were there and really know what went on. I hope I'm not offending anyone but I respect and admire the job LE does for the small amount of pay, the blame they have to shoulder when things don't turn out the way the public thinks it should have and the fact they place themselves in danger to protect the public. I'm sure there are mistakes made by officers, just like families and ALL of us make mistakes, I just don't see where they did in this case. Just my opinion, and being a newbie here, I hope I haven't offended anyone. I really am heartsick for her and her family.

Unfortunately, blaming other people when things go wrong is the American way.