Nancy Grace on the scene in Los Angeles, CA from where Whitney Houston died investigating her death & who is to blame.
Investigators are combing hotels and casinos along the Las Vegas strip in search of a 25-year-old Southern California woman who vanished after she was released from custody for not paying a bill for a meal.
Mitrice Richardson, a former beauty pageant contestant, was arrested last September at a restaurant in Malibu, California, because she did not have money to settle her check at Geoffrey’s, an upscale restaurant.
She was brought to the Lost Hills/Malibu sheriff’s station and was later released without her car, which held her purse and other belongings.
It was later discovered that Richardson may have had an episode of bipolar disorder. Mitrice’s mother, Latice Sutton, and her father, Michael Richardson, have both filed lawsuits against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for its handling of her arrest and release.
Authorities are investigating reports of multiple sightings in Las Vegas. Richardson’s father says he saw Mitrice walking down a street but could not catch up to her and a former high school classmate says he saw her at a bar.
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Age: 17
Last seen: 1/1/2012
From: Vancouver, WA
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 90 lbs
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
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wow come on now it states above that she has an "episode of bi-polar diisease" There is no such thing as an episode. Bi-polar is a mental health illness like depression but you experience highs and lows not episodes . Then her father seen her in Vegas??? This is a strange story. I hope she is ok but why cause her family such grief??? Maybe she is off her meds for the bi-polar??
I wonder if she's in fear of something. I'm particularly interested in what her relationship was like with her mom. Although they seem like really nice people I wonder why the mom is soo sure that can't be her daughter in L.V. Just strange. If somebody told me they saw my daughter (who happens to have a mental disorder) I'd be jumping over the moon. Couldn't get to her fast enuf. On Jane's show yesterday she seemed irate at the suggestion. "Mitrice is NOT in Las Vegas!!!" she said
@Sherri
They sure do have episodes Sherri. They are lows as you call them. My brother is either normal, or having an episode....Get it together...I am sure you will tell me that you are in this profession or that profession or quote your textbook. The other option is that you have a bipolar family member and are far off the mark. By the way, she was talking about going to Mars at the restaurant.....That is called an episode.
My daughter has Bipolar Disorder I with episodes of psychosis, and I have often been amazed at how much this mood disorder can also disrupt thought processes. It is a devastating illness, and meds may or may not control it completely.
My heart completely goes out to this family.
her mother is refusing to believe that this could be her daughter which is odd because most parents with a missing child hold onto the smallest thing that would bring them some hope. i think they have come to realize that their daughter is alive but want to cash in on a lawsuit
This sounds like one of those Elvis sightings. Are they for real?
The whole story seems suspicious. The young woman has been missing for 10 months and already declared dead in a court of law and the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last month? Actually, both parents have filed separate lawsuits. Why rush to declare her dead so quick? I thought you had to wait for several years before any person can be declared dead. The father even said he saw Mitrice walking down a street in Las Vegas but could not catch up to her. Sounds like there have been several sightings of Mitrice in Las Vegas. If this was my daughter, I would have been on a plane heading to Vegas to search for her. Latice is so adamant about discrediting these sightings, why?
Being from .I watched this case closely. The parents blame the Sheriff's dept for Matrice being released without anyone there to pick her up..In fact, as stated the parents have 2 seperate law suits going against the Sheriff's dept. I have to wonder? Why are they responsible for Matrice? and not the Family? couldn't the parents come and get her upon release? and if this is true and she is alive this would be a miracle and wonderful for those who love her! but come onl Matrice why do this horrible thing to your parents? worry them half to death! being Bi-polar is no excuse for causing her parents grief and pain. she has accomplished good things in her life positive things to be proud of. college. etc.I hope she is found alive and well.
Maybe it wasn't her and just a look alike? Who knows the family that she comes from, you know? I'm not saying that if she is alive that putting your family through something such as this is okay but you don't know what her life is/was like. People do crazy things for reasons perhaps we will never know but in their heads it feels like the "reasonable" thing to do at the time. For the family's sake I hope they find her alive and well, however, if they do, I also hope she has to serve some kind of punishment for pretending she is missing.
Sherri, the same thing I was thinking, you hit the nail right on the head. I too am wondering did she suffer a psychotic break due to being off her meds? I also heard she was with someone else when spotted at this casino. Could this person also be part of the reason why she isn't taking her medication?
praying for her safe return...
She was picked up by a pimp
RE: Mel Gibson, He sounds like a mad man on the telephone conversations, but I cannot feel sorry for him. If you play with fire, you get burnt
I fault thesherrifs office for mis handling her case. They sent her out without her purse, car and in that condition. Typical of them
i don't understand her mother insisting it's not mitrice. if it were my child missing, i'd be in vegas immediately scouring the streets for her! i understand she was declared dead..i'm wondering if money is involved in the mother not wanting to believe it's mitrice..i know she's filed a lawsuit..just doesn't make sense.
Gee!!! I smell a rat here... I honestly believe this woman is "out there", I think the mother knows exactly where she is,mommy was in too big a hurry to declare her dead, I thought there was time limit before you could declare someone dead? This only tells me that the mommy is wanting to get some "cash". I think the police was in too big a hurry to release this woman, but, if the woman showed no signs of mental problems, what was the police to do. If they had held her, then mommy would have screamed RACE, so the best thing to do is make sure every sighting is followed up, and I would strongly suggest a tap be put on mommys phone. It sounds like I am blaming the mother, you got it, I do. This mother needs to be investigated-I think she could lead you right to her daughter. I hope the daughter is found and in good health, but, you will get no help from Mommy. Betty Phillips
I dont know what to believe about whether this woman has been spotted or not. It seems unusual that she was called by her name and di dnot respond at all. This sounds as if she is psycotic and not caple of caring for herself.
I thought that police officiers were trained a little to be able to pick up on a person who is not acting right, They are confused or just not with it at all. In which case, you.d never send a person like this out on the street alone. especially with no money or car or keys.
I seriously doubt it was her. I t probably someone who looks like her. Just like the 2 girls in the auto acident, They looked a lot a like. The wrong girl was said to be dead. The wrong family buried the girl. And the living girl now has her reaal family back with her. Maybe this will help in her recovery. Family that sticks beside an injuried person and is there for them does make a big difference in their recovery or lack of recovery.
I wish the best for this young woman and her family. It is very easy to confuse 2 people when they look so much alike. I hope matrice shows up real soon and is doing great,
I suppose i would suggest that eveeryone who can actually go up to her and ask"are you matrice? hi. miam whoever. If the fear leaves she will likely come to her self if she even recalls who she is.
i think shes running away to start a new life the mom thinks its racial issue i dont think that at all her daughter was acting crazey so she could get away .when a person is bipolar they dont talk strange its a high or low low or just depression im bipolar and im not crazey !theres tons of meds out there to suit every need . maybe she was high on something i go though periods where i want to shut the world out thank god for meds and counseling maybe she doesnt like her mother .and father if thats her in the picture shes safe but the not knowing is hard on the family to she should at least call her parents or nancy grace to confirm shes fine and living in vegas
Poor Poor Linsey Lohan. She didn't spend anytime in jail. You interviewed one of the inmates and everytime poor Lindsey ate, they got locked down. She get's her shower time and rec time, and the rest of the jail gets locked down. I think a good question for you to ask would be: If you're soooo overcrowded, why not let the people with lesser crimes or drug problems do exactly what she has gotten away with – and I'm sure there are plenty. You can't tell me every other prison inmate is in there for violent crimes. Letting her skate was a poor choice and shows the rest of us that money is justice (which has been shown to us too many times already). Isn't it "We the people" and "equal justice for all"? What a joke. The whole system is a joke.
– Was wondering if the stepmom of the 2 year missing boy had anything to do the boys disapperance. She said it was doing some landscaping that morning. Maybe she burried him where she was landscaping.
There is a big problem with the obvious lack of evidence in this gorgeous girl's case. I know little about investigating cases but there are questions that come to mind as the case goes on with so many unanswered explanations. Did Mitrice get the medicine she needed when she was in police custody? They were aware that she was on needed medicine. And if they did take care of her medical needs no one would have reported anything abnormal about her behavior. I don't believe a word of the comment referring to her abnormal behavior. Did the Police in charge of those who worked in the jail search, investigate and comb Mitrice's jail cell for blood or other foul play evidence ? Why on earth would the police deny her family's request to see her exit tape? Why isn't there accountability from the police? They were the last ones to see her alive. We all are aware that the last one to see someone alive are the first to be suspected. Why was this part of the investigation overlooked in this case? We see on tv police camera videos showing drunks and drug-related arrest every single day.Where is Mitrice's video?Why the complacency in looking for her? She is not in Vegas and I don't believe anyone has or will find her there. Why on God's earth would the media be more concerned at this time about a drugged-brat's out-of-jail"s whereabouts than a beautiful intelligent woman who could contribute to our world? Why aren't more people angry about this? If it weren't for Nancy and Jane,would the public even know this girl who was in the L.A.'s custody was lost by them?How long now will it take for any law enforcement agency to thoroughly investigate until Mitrice is brought home ? Mitrice's parents ,family and friends are in a limbo.However, there are many wonderful people out here who care. My family is praying for those who should,do what is possible with integrity as though this were their own child.My best hopes and prayers to Mitrice's mother,father,and all those who know her. I will support the family in any way I can. I also have a daughter that I cherish and cannot stand a day to go by without seeing or speaking to her. I feel like when this happens to someone else,it also happens to me.God Bless Mitrice's family.
I feel terrible for this family, but I do not understand her mother, I saw her JVM and in my opinion, all she did was yell and deny that the woman in Vegas is NOT Mitrice. She said something along the lines of Mitrice would not go there. If she has mental issues, and she is alive, she could be anywhere. I am not trying to put down her mother, I pray for Mitrice every day, but don't deny a possible sighting.
these cases all seem to have some sort of link. this all seems to go back to haliegh and kyron. where do we look and where is the love that a parent has for a child. i am kinda lost on the mother child love wether u gave birth or not if u take the child on then give them what they need. my husband and i dont have much but the kittle we do we take care of those who need. i have fibermyalgia and lupus. andstill trying to go on . my children are raised and my husbands cousin is with two children that we went bankrupt to heip get home and raise. Nancy i am not all that but i watch u regulerly sorry cant spell that well either. where is all the love........ nite alabama
In the first place it did not make any sence going camping in a little black summer dress. like Sylar's Newton soon to be mother was wearing. was she camping or looking for a Husband. I did not see one tear comming out of her eyes when the story of Sylar's Newton's disapearance first aired
could first two year old boy have been taken by mistake and then other was taken?
I don't think that she ever left the police dept? They should be held accountable for letting her go. I think the FBI need to get involved.
I smell a rat..........I truely believe that she is dead and there is a cover up something with law enforcement
I don't believe the sightings are real! Very sad story though.
I DONT THINK HER FATHER SEEN HER BUT AN OLD FRIEND SEEN HER AND HE DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON SO WHEN SHE ACT LIKE SHE DIDNT KNOW HIM HE WAS LOST FOR WORDS AND DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
There is obviously something really wrong with this story. Who hired these investigators that are combing Las Vegas for a 25 year old woman? Probably the family that is sueing the police department because THEIR DAUGHTER has a mental problem. This is why cities are now looking into charging people for basic services, because families like this. Maybe if their daughter had her purse with her instead of in her car she could have paid for the meal that she was put in jail for but most likely she wouldn't have been able to anyway. Why is CNN reporting on this? This is about as news worthy as Lindsey Lohan being released from jail or the F word that she painted on her nails for the judge.
If they knew she had a bipolar disorder why did they not let her make a phone call because everyone is able to get one, them police have done something to that young women and trying to cover their tracks, and if it was a white women they would have given her a phone call and drove her to her car. I hope her parents find their daughter and I'm so sorry that we still can't trust the police with our kids and that is why we don't trust them because look at what has happen to this young women.
Has anyone here that is commenting even read the details of this woman's arrest and subsequent stay at the police department? Please read the whole story (from a news source, not a blog) before you assume you know what happened.
How can a mother nap while a 2yr old is walking around? I raised 4 children and heard every sound coming from their rooms or from outside..
Since this story has broke, Mitrices dad has been the only parent to have something to say. I think a parent would know their missing child if they saw them – in good or bad condition. I hope they find her, so they can have closure.
Mom doesn't want her found, she won't have a lawsuit.
Hi Nancy,
I have watched your program for years. I have been watching you since Natalie Holloway went missing in Aruba. I just want to let you know that I had triplet boys who were 2 years old and then I had another baby. One of my triplet boys went missing while I was putting on my babies shoes, I called the police and was very upset, so I just want to let you know that it happens. I was lucky enough to have good neighbors and they found my missing child, so I ask you to stop being so hard on parents. They do the best that they can do. My triplets are now going to be 25 years olds and I am so thankful that they are what they are. I just want you to be alittle considerate to all parents that are out there and doing the best that they can!
Hi Nancy,
I can not believe that no one heard that little boy trying to get out of that tent!! I know as a mother of 2 grown children as my mother would say I always had one ear open and I am sure you know what I am talking about even as that got older I would always HEAR them coming into the house and what time it was, so as far as the mother sleeping I don't buy it.
Your attorney's tonite leave alot to be desired, I am sure if it were their child they would be singing a different .
Thank-you Nancy for the wonderful work that you do and being the advocate as you are for all these children, God Bless you and your family, you are a great inspiration to me.
Mary R. Ct.
Hi im a young viewer and this is more of a notice.They last time they saw him it was at 1:00 and how could they not notice he was gone for 6 hours.i think it had something to do with a family member my mother agrees
I would like to say thank you for covering stories about black women. The media has proven to us time and time again that the same stories that involve white women/children, do not get equal coverage when it comes to black women/children. I am not sure where you get your tips from or how you hear of the stories that you cover, but I would ask that you encourage your staff to seek out stories that involve people of different races. I promise you that there are stories out there, and these lives are equally important. Thank you for your consideration.
There is such thing as an episode in bipolar...
In bipolar disorder, an episode is a period of time during which symptoms of a particular facet of manic depression are experienced or displayed. Types of bipolar episodes include:
•Manic
•Hypomanic
•Depressive, and
•Mixed
How do I address my comments directly to Nancy Grace?
was this woman a hooker maybe she is now maybe her pimp pick her up.
Nancy, you're an angel! Bless her soul and bring her home soon! What will happen next?
If Mitrice is without her meds I know she is not in her right mind. I've had friends with this disorder and manic episodes can be pretty bizarre. But, they can also 'pull it together' just enough to act fine for even mental health experts to miss it. If her belongins, cell phone etc, were in her car and not available to her she couldn't call her parents. And, if she was manic she probably didn't want to call her parents. Her friend that her father saw her with may not understand the problem she's dealing with and they're having a good time in Vegas. Put up the posters in Vegas Dad and keep looking, your baby girl needs you.
$89 bill for what? How expensive is their food? If she appeared drunk, high or crazy, they can't give her alcohol.
How did she end up there and alone anyway.
Is there a history of mental condition and meds.
Jail is a hazardous place to be. If your child is there and acting strange, 80 miles is nothing.
If you are arrested for under the influence (was she tested?) they likely would let her go after a little time to dry out. She was an adult and should have asked to call someone to pick her up. The person the mom talked to might have changed shifts or implied thinking she would be kept overnight when it was someone else's call to make..
A series of unfortunate events. Degree of blame morally to be determined for each by God. Degree of blame legally uncertain.
Sometimes when you lose a child you really just want someone else to be punished for it and to be told it is not your fault.
Fells like there are secrets about the victim, either health, lifestyle or something to account for how she ended up at that restaurant and jail.
Truly sad.
Shame on the police.They released a young woman in the dark.I hope the mother got the name of the officer who she spoke to,because they all stick together.I bet someone drop the ball.Why didnt they give her the car that they had found ,when she was going to be release.And how do we know,that the police didnt hurt her.And she was a danger to herself she told them that she was from mars.And why are they saying that she was bipolar.Has her parents say she was bipolar.How was she able to drive,how was she acting when she ordered her food,Something is not right.Keep the honest Nancy Grace.And at 60 I know about lady justice.But shows about crime I like to watch,because I have 4 grandsons and I tell them to be careful.I tell them this because i remember Sean Bell,Eleanor Bumpers.
Nancy, on your show tonight (Thursday, August 12) I heard the 911 call where the man who lived near Woodbluff called the dispatcher stating he saw a woman who looked like Mitrice. My question: what action did the dispatcher take? Did they send a patrol or sheriff's car and deputy to the location? If so, who was the officer and have they been interviewed?
I'm sad to hear they found Mitrice....With all that her mother is saying , can't she remember she told the resturant that she wouldn't pay the bill, for the police to take her in and teach her a lesson. No one is talking about that any more. Why not? I blame her mother for the fact that she could have picked her up of sent some one to do so..or paid that bill over the phone....A charge card works wonders doesn't it? Why was her daughter there alone in the first place? Sorry, I do not put the blame on the officers the let her go in the middle of the night. Her mother was called and did nothing to help the situation. What was she doing while Mitrice was at the police station?
nancy, i was watching the show last night,, i feel for this family my prayers go out to them,, but i needed to ask,,if this sheriffs office released her, has anyone thought that dirty cops,,could have been involved,, since they did release her,, and last to see her... just maybe some dirty cops,,, were there .... and knew the place her body was found... knew about that area,, and could blame it on crop owners,,, something to think about , and should be investigated,cops are to protect and serve,, and she would have trusted them ,, again after being released,,,, something happened !!
Thanks for your opinion DR Jeff. I was stating that bi-polar is a mental Ilness . No I am not a Doctor are you?? Bi-polar patients have a mood disorder characterized by extreme highs and lows which are baanced out with medication.It is all too common for people with mental illness to go off their meds THEREFORE of course their disease is not controlled resulting in your so called EPISODES
Mitrice's story is heartbreaking. Too bad the police aren't as quick to arrest and jail people who are committing serious crimes. Aren't they trained on how to handle those who have mental illnesses?
No one has answered the question-did the police not have video recording of her leaving the police station-it would show how she was acting, etc.??
I have been following this case and it baffles me that the police department do not have a tape of this woman leaving the station. That is what needs to be investigated. Another thing is that the location that her body was found in is inaccessible to the average person. The video showed that law enforcement had to be flown by helicopter to that location. Now who do you know of that could have exposed of a body in that location. Who would have access to a helicopter. Law enforcement. The nasty stench of police corruption is smelling in this case. My heart goes out to her family and I hope they own that city when this is all over. They should have protected this woman. She was obviously ill from the way that she looks in the mugshot. I believe either the police did something to this woman while she was in custody, or they released her while she was disoriented and then picked her back up after she left and murdered her. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. And for those of you who haven't followed the case, stop trying to blame her parents. Their only wrong doing was trusting the police to protect their daughter. Her mother was concerned about her daughter and specifically asked on tape if her daughter was gona be released that night and she was told not until morning. People you just have to get all the facts before you try to pin the blame on the parents. This is a shame and I hope that all who contributed to this woman's death be punished. This could have been my children or yours.
As now her remains were found i will pray for every heartless comment that was made here Bipolar is a very serious mental problem that we all need to accept that it DOES exist and it can happend to anyone at anytime
mitrice seem like she was nice person. now why in the world would the police send her out there like that wit no car? my heart goes out to her family.