Going West: True Crime — Episode 534

Case: Mitrice Richardson
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman
Release Date: September 2, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Daphne and Heath examine the haunting, mysterious disappearance and death of 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson, who vanished after being released from a Los Angeles sheriff’s station in September 2009 under highly questionable circumstances. Mitrice’s case remains one of Los Angeles’ most disturbing unsolved mysteries, marked by missed opportunities, police missteps, and lingering suspicions of foul play.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background on Mitrice Richardson

• Born April 30, 1985, in Covina, CA; raised mostly by her mother Latice and stepfather, with a close relationship to her great-grandmother (Mildred).

• Accolades: Competitive cheerleader, honor student, pageant contestant, first in her family to graduate college (Cal State Fullerton, 4.0 GPA).

  “Her mom Latice said proudly, ‘She believed it was important for everyone to get an education.’” — Daphne (06:08)

• Came out as a lesbian in college; family was supportive.

• Juggling three jobs by late summer 2009: go-go dancer, psychologist intern, shipping yard worker — all while living with Mildred in Watts, LA.

2. Escalating Behavioral Concerns Before Disappearance

• In the days leading up to her disappearance, friends and family observed noticeable mental decline and erratic actions:
  • Posting nonsensical messages on social media, speaking in riddles, leaving bizarre notes.
  • Exhibited behaviors suggesting a manic or psychotic episode, though no formal diagnosis.

    “It definitely seemed deeper than just finding it fun to talk about…she occasionally would refer to herself as Mother Nature.” — Teague (08:02)

  • Example: Left business cards all over her aunt’s home, nonsensical scribbled note with the phrase “black women scorned.” (08:41)

3. The Night of Her Disappearance (Sept. 16, 2009)

• Mitrice abruptly skips her weekly dinner with Mildred, telling her she’s going to Malibu (09:36).

• At Joffrey’s Restaurant:

  • Odd actions: Sits in valet’s car, tells staff she’s on a mission to avenge Michael Jackson’s death.
  • Orders expensive meal/cocktail, joins a table uninvited, discusses being from Mars and the ocean calling her.

    “She talked at length about astrology and told them she was from Mars, that her mom was Mother Earth, and the ocean was calling her.” — Daphne (13:21)

  • Unable to pay ($89.51 bill), despite having money in her account but refusing to use it (15:03).
  • Offers to have sex with restaurant manager to settle the bill — behavior growing more incoherent.

• Restaurant staff, deeply concerned, call the police, fearing she’s a danger to herself.

• Police arrest Mitrice for “defrauding an innkeeper” (dining and dashing) and minor marijuana possession (less than 1 ounce).

4. Critical Police Actions & Missed Opportunities

• Mitrice was not given a psychiatric evaluation despite evident distress (19:40).

  “It’s interesting because you could easily be this police officer, find some weed… and just go, ‘Oh, well, they’re just stoned…’ It must not be, you know, a mental illness or something like that.” — Teague (20:09)

• Mother Latice, after learning her daughter was arrested, expresses grave concern to the station:

  “Are you guys gonna book her and then release her tonight? Because it's dark, she doesn't have a car, and I don't want her wandering… I'd hate to wake up to a morning report — girl lost somewhere with her head chopped off.” — Latice via Daphne (22:19)

• Deputy assures Latice not to worry, claims Mitrice would be safely held (22:46).

5. Release into the Night — and Disappearance

• Contrary to their assurances, Mitrice is released alone, after midnight (~12:15–1:30am), with no phone, purse, or car — these were impounded (23:14).

• The area is described as rural, with no public infrastructure or open businesses at that hour.

  “It’s very quiet… it's not the city… If you're outside that police station at midnight, nothing is open, the streets are empty and spread out.” — Daphne (23:56)

• Deputies claim there was no sign of impairment; later disputed. Information about her behavior at Joffrey’s not relayed to station staff (26:34).

• Mitrice attempts to use the payphone, but investigation later reveals the phone was not working (27:24).

6. Initial Search and the First Sighting

• Mildred and Latice frantically try to report her missing, but the Sheriff's Department delays, suggesting a 24-hour wait.

• At ~6:30am, local resident Bill Smith reports a woman matching Mitrice’s description in his backyard—she says she’s just “resting,” then runs into the canyon wilderness (36:50–42:38).

• Despite concerns she may have been picked up, hosts reason she likely walked the entire (dangerous, rural) route herself over several hours.

7. Law Enforcement Response & Investigation Failures

• Family and volunteers begin grassroots search; Sheriff’s Department only brings in scent dogs on September 18, by then likely too late (45:17).
• Scent and footprints found, but trail lost due to contamination by hikers/horses.
• LAPD psychologist, after reviewing her writings, suspects an intense manic break.

Controversial Handling of Surveillance Footage:

• Sheriff's Department initially claims surveillance footage of her release doesn’t exist; later admits it does, but refuses to release it for months (48:05–48:59).

  “In fact, Tom Martin, who was the police captain at the time, claimed that the tape didn’t exist when, in fact, it was in a drawer inside his desk.” — Teague (48:59)

  • Martin later fired for sexual misconduct.

• Family finally views interior footage showing Mitrice agitated in her cell (49:41).

• The community mounts a massive physical search in January 2010, the largest in 20 years, but finds nothing.

8. Discovery of Remains and Ongoing Questions

• On August 9, 2010 (11 months later), Mitrice’s remains are found in "Dark Canyon" near her last sighting.

  • Body is nude, decomposed, with bizarre evidence: scattered/missing clothing, detached leg and head, missing bones, etc.
  • Sheriff’s Department controversially removes remains before coroner arrives, disturbing the scene (50:28).

• Autopsy results:

  • No clear cause/manner of death, body in condition not allowing clear conclusions; sexual assault not confirmed nor ruled out.
  • Independent forensic examination (2011) concludes clothes were removed before death, making circumstances “suspicious” but undetermined (56:17).

• Theorized causes range from mental health crisis alone to indirect/active foul play, potentially even by law enforcement. No substantiated suspects.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Latice’s Ominous Warning (22:19):

  “Are you guys gonna book her and then release her tonight? Because it's dark, she doesn't have a car, and I don’t want her wandering. I mean, she's not from that area and I would hate to wake up to a morning report — girl lost somewhere with her head chopped off.”

• Police Statement (25:57):

  “She exhibited no signs of mental illness or intoxication. She was fine. She’s an adult.” — Sheriff Spokesman Steve Whitmore

• On Law Enforcement’s Handling (55:14):

  “Just ball drop after ball drop.” — Daphne

• On What Mitrice Should Be Remembered For (59:21):

  “‘What I would like people to know and associate with Mitrice is humanity. Just being caring and loving toward one another, being there to step in and help others when they are in need. That’s what Mitrice was about. She was definitely an advocate for others. That was a passion of hers when she was alive.’” — Latice, Mitrice’s mother

• Host’s Summation (62:58):

  “It’s just so hard to know what happened here….the autopsy being inconclusive though suspicious of course, and all the fuckery in the sheriff's department makes it so hard to really land on something concrete.” — Daphne

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Mitrice’s Background & Early Life: 03:42–07:55
• Onset of Behavioral Changes: 07:55–10:29
• Evening at Joffrey’s Restaurant: 10:33–19:32
• Arrest & Family's Concerns: 19:32–23:14
• Mitrice’s Release from Custody: 23:14–27:24
• Sighting at Bill Smith’s House: 36:35–42:43
• Community Searches & Law Enforcement Response: 45:17–46:31
• Sheriff’s Department Surveillance Tape Controversy: 48:05–49:41
• Discovery of Remains & Autopsy Issues: 50:28–57:05
• Civil Suit & Family Reflections: 59:03–61:08
• Call to Action & Legacy: 61:08–62:46

Investigation & Theories

• Police theorize Mitrice succumbed to the rugged environment, possibly in a mental health episode.
• Family and many community members believe foul play — potentially by opportunistic strangers, or even law enforcement — is more likely, citing the bizarre state of the remains, lack of evidence collection, and the Sheriff’s Department’s troubling actions.
• Civil suit against the Sheriff's Department resulted in a $900,000 payout for wrongful death and negligence.
• Possible suspect: Local man Rick Forsberg (history of violence against women; passed two polygraphs but remains in the pool of possibilities).

Conclusion & Call to Action

The episode closes by centering Mitrice’s humanity and her family’s ongoing grief and quest for justice, inviting listeners to help keep her story alive and report any information to Los Angeles Crime Stoppers. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy — and to support changes in mental health crisis response and law enforcement accountability.

“Someone in the community knows something about what happened to Mitrice. We need them to come forward… Please help us bring justice to Mitrice.” — Latice (Family Statement, 61:08)

For further cases from the area, consider listening to Episode 469 about Elaine Park’s mysterious disappearance — also investigated by Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department.