SEQUESTERED Podcast

Episode: Mitrice Richardson: Unsolved Death (Malibu, CA) | Part Three
Host: Sarah Reed (Road Trip Studios)
Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is the third and final installment in SEQUESTERED Podcast’s in-depth focus on the unsolved case of Mitrice Richardson, who disappeared in 2009 after being released from a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s station in Malibu under highly questionable circumstances. Host Sarah Reed examines recent attention brought to the case by other media, controversial theories, new and old leads—including focus on Rick Forsberg—and scrutinizes the troubling mishandling of evidence by authorities, wrongful conviction histories tied to involved detectives, and ongoing demands for accountability from Mitrice’s family and advocates.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Revisiting the Main Facts

• Mitrice Richardson was released from the sheriff's station after midnight without her phone, wallet, or car; she vanished, and her remains were found 11 months later in Malibu canyon.
• The official cause of death remains undetermined, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) continues to list it as an unsolved tragedy, refusing to characterize it as a crime.
  “For the LA County Sheriff’s Department, it remains an unsolved tragedy, but not a crime. That explanation has never been enough.” — Sarah Reed [03:39]

The "Lost Hills Dark Canyon" Podcast & Focus on Rick Forsberg

[03:45 - 10:24]

• The 2024 podcast "Lost Hills Dark Canyon" by Dana Goodyear reignited debate and focused on Rick Forsberg, a man living in the woods near the site of Mitrice’s disappearance.
• Neighbors reported possibly seeing Forsberg with Mitrice and mentioned evidence, such as a suitcase of women's undergarments found at his camp, though the items were never properly tested.
• The site had been compromised by the time police arrived, eliminating its value as a clean crime scene.

Dr. Rhonda Hampton and Pam (Forsberg’s sister) Respond

• Dr. Hampton (Mitrice’s advocate):

  • Emphasized no closure or ultimate theory about what happened to Mitrice, and warned against misleading, single-suspect narratives.
  • Quote:

    "I do not believe she hiked up to that canyon, took off her clothes, laid down, and died of anaphylax shock. Short of that, you know, the verdict's still out." — Dr. Rhonda Hampton [04:47]

  • Raised Forsberg’s name to police initially, but detailed that, after two polygraph tests (both passed) and interviews, Forsberg had essentially been cleared.
  • Criticized Goodyear's podcast for implicating Forsberg too directly, calling out manipulative storytelling.
    Quote:

    "That is my issue with Dana Goodyear and her podcast, that she has done everything that she can to point the finger at Rick Forsberg and been manipulative along the way." — Dr. Hampton [06:28]

• Pam (Forsberg’s sister):

  • Stressed Forsberg had substance issues but was not capable of murder.

    "I do not believe that he was ever capable of murder. Never." — Pam [07:58]

  • Called evidence circumstantial, particularly the suitcase.

• Both agreed Forsberg could be considered among many possibilities, but no case should hinge on him alone.

Timeline Discrepancies

• Debate over key sightings of Mitrice—was she seen at 4:30 am or closer to 6:30 am at a nearby house, with Forsberg seemingly corroborating the earlier time. Hampton believes this difference is major, highlighting inconsistent investigative focus.

Mishandling of Evidence and Authorities' Actions

[12:54 - 19:39]

• Discovery and Mishandling of Remains:

  • In August 2010, skeletal remains found by park rangers were moved by LASD detectives despite explicit orders from Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter NOT to move the body, in violation of California law and standard protocol.
  • Photos weren’t properly taken, and the scene was contaminated—compromising the medical-legal investigation.
  • Dr. Hampton filed a formal complaint, charging the site was too compromised for proper analysis.

    "The removal, quote, so severely compromised a potential crime scene that the coroner was unable to perform critical analysis at the site." — Dr. Hampton [14:00]

• Questions on Detective Dan McEldery:

  • McEldery’s career later tainted by revelations of misconduct, including false testimony that contributed to a wrongful murder conviction (Miguel Solorio case, exonerated in 2023).
  • Hampton calls for a review of all cases involving McEldery, including Mitrice's:

    “It should not be the case that Detective McEldery gets to walk away free and clear. … There should be great concern for any case that he has investigated …” — Dr. Rhonda Hampton [19:26]

• Family’s Perspective:

  • Michael Richardson, Mitrice’s father, has been outspoken about the sense of injustice and mishandling by authorities:

    “This man's daughter is sitting in a grave because somebody in the police department did not do their job.” — Michael Richardson [20:35]

  • The family’s consistent theme: Mitrice’s case was never treated with urgency or dignity.

Pursuing Accountability Beyond LASD

[21:33 - 23:51]

• Formal complaints and State Oversight:
  • Dr. Hampton brought her concerns to then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris, submitting a 500+ page formal request for investigation.
  • Harris’ office initially declined, rapidly reviewing the evidence.

    “The records you provided do not create a reasonable inference that the actions of the LASD violated the law.” — [22:26]

  • The office later reopened, then again quietly closed the case without action, fueling public mistrust.

Ongoing Efforts and Final Reflections

[24:52 - End]

• Renewed Reward Offer:

  • In November 2024, LA County Board increased the reward for information to $25,000, hoping for new leads.

• Enduring Questions:

  • Why was Mitrice released in the dead of night?
  • Why did detectives ignore clear, direct orders about her remains?
  • Why were leads neglected?
  • Can this case be solved if the system continues to falter?

• Advocacy for the Unheard:

  • Dr. Hampton and the SEQUESTERED team urge continued focus not only for Mitrice, but for other missing persons of color whose cases receive even less public attention.
  • The series closes with a call for the community to share these stories so that they are not forgotten.

Notable Quotes & Moments (by Speaker)

• Dr. Rhonda Hampton

  • [04:47] “I do want to be perfectly transparent in that I have no idea what happened to Mitrice… I do not believe that she hiked up to that canyon, took off her clothes, laid down, and died of anaphylax shock. Short of that, you know, the verdict’s still out.”
  • [06:28] "That is my issue with Dana Goodyear and her podcast, that she has done everything… to point the finger at Rick Forsberg and been manipulative along the way."
  • [14:00] "The removal, quote, so severely compromised a potential crime scene that the coroner was unable to perform critical analysis at the site."
  • [19:26] “It should not be the case that Detective McEldery gets to walk away free and clear. … there should be great concern for any case that he has investigated …”

• Pam (Forsberg’s sister)

  • [07:58] "I do not believe that he was ever capable of murder. Never."

• Michael Richardson (Mitrice's father)

  • [20:35] “This man's daughter is sitting in a grave because somebody in the police department did not do their job.”

• Sarah Reed (Host)

  • [03:39] "For the LA County Sheriff’s Department, it remains an unsolved tragedy, but not a crime. That explanation has never been enough."
  • [24:52] “Mitrice vanished after being released in the middle of the night without her phone, wallet or car. Eleven months later, her remains were found in a remote canyon… Until those questions are answered, Mitrice Richardson’s case will remain more than an unsolved mystery. It will remain a test of who is worth protecting and who is left to disappear.”

Key Timestamps

• 03:39: Recap of previous episode and key mystery — new theories emerge
• 04:47: Dr. Hampton’s candid assessment of the case’s unknowns
• 05:53-07:41: Policing focus & problems with “Lost Hills” podcast narrative
• 07:58: Pam reflects on her brother and accuses the narrative of unfair bias
• 10:24: Timeline discrepancies and importance of 4:30 am sighting
• 12:54: Mishandling of remains, coroner’s orders ignored
• 14:00: Dr. Hampton on compromised evidence and complaint
• 19:26: Discussion of Detective McEldery’s later discovered misconduct
• 20:15: Michael Richardson’s public plea for justice
• 21:33-22:32: Dr. Hampton’s failed efforts to get the CA Attorney General involved
• 24:52: Reward increase, enduring questions, and calls to action

Final Thoughts

SEQUESTERED Episode 3 delivers a detailed, deeply researched, and victim-centered look at the failures and missed opportunities in the Mitrice Richardson investigation. The podcast doesn’t offer a tidy resolution; rather, it underscores a pattern of institutional neglect, missteps, and missed accountability—while centering the enduring voices of Mitrice’s family, advocates like Dr. Hampton, and a community determined not to let her story fade into silence.

If you have any information about the case, contact the LA County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or Dr. Rhonda Hampton (info in show notes).