Welcome to Black & Unsolved: True Crime Chronicles on the NBG Podcast Network. Join host A.I. Jackson as we delve into the haunting case of Mitrice Richardson, a young African-American woman whose life ended under mysterious circumstances.
Mitrice, a bright psychology graduate with dreams of pursuing a Ph.D., disappeared after a night out in Malibu, raising critical questions about justice, police accountability, and racial inequality. Despite extensive efforts, her case remains an unresolved enigma.
This episode explores Mitrice's life, the night she vanished, and the controversial investigation that followed. We examine the unanswered questions about her release from police custody and the discovery of her remains in a remote area, sparking suspicions of foul play.
Through interviews and analysis, we highlight the systemic flaws in law enforcement and the urgent need for reform, while Mitrice's family continues their fight for answers and justice. Tune in to uncover the details of this chilling case and the ongoing quest for truth.
00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 Welcome back to Black and Unsolved True Crime Chronicles on the NBG Podcast Network.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:16 I'm your host, A.I. Jackson, and in today's episode, we delve into a case that
00:00:16 --> 00:00:21 continues to haunt the nation and raise critical questions about justice,
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 police accountability, and racial inequality.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:30 This is the story of Maitrese Richardson, a young woman whose life was tragically
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 cut short under mysterious circumstances.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:39 Despite the numerous efforts to uncover the truth, Maitrese's case remains a
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 dark, unresolved mystery.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:48 Today, we explore what we know, what we don't, and why so many questions still linger.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:57 Mitrice Richardson was 24 years old, an intelligent and driven African-American
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 woman with a bright future ahead of her.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:05 Born on April 30, 1985, Mitrice was raised in Los Angeles, California,
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 with dreams of becoming a psychologist.
00:01:08 --> 00:01:12 She had a degree in psychology from California State University Fullerton,
00:01:12 --> 00:01:14 and she was planning to pursue a Ph.D.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:21 Described as a loving daughter, an ambitious student, and a caring friend,
00:01:21 --> 00:01:25 Maitrese was the kind of person who lit up a room whenever she entered.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:32 She was openly lesbian and had been dating her girlfriend Tessa Moon for about two years.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:38 She had also competed as a beauty pageant contestant, worked as an intern for
00:01:38 --> 00:01:43 a forensic psychologist and part-time as a dancer in an LGBT strip club.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:50 Described as a loving daughter, an ambitious student, and a caring friend,
00:01:50 --> 00:01:54 Mitrice was the kind of person who lit up a room whenever she entered.
00:01:54 --> 00:02:00 But behind her lively personality, friends and family noticed subtle changes
00:02:00 --> 00:02:04 in her behavior in the months leading up to her disappearance.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 Some wondered if she was struggling with mental health challenges.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:16 On the night of September 16th, 2009, Maitris Richardson went to Jeffrey's,
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 a high-end restaurant in Malibu.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:23 Witnesses reported that Maitris was acting, strangely speaking,
00:02:23 --> 00:02:29 in unusual ways and leaving a bizarre note about avenging Michael Jackson's death.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:35 She ordered a meal but told the staff she couldn't pay her $89 bill.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 Leading them to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:45 When deputies arrived, they found Maitrese appearing disoriented,
00:02:45 --> 00:02:50 but they decided not to place her under a psychiatric hold, despite her strange behavior.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:59 Maitrese was arrested and taken to the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, about 15 miles away.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:05 She was booked for not paying her restaurant bill and for possession of a small amount of marijuana.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:10 Her car was impounded, leaving her with no means of transportation.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:15 Despite her family's concerns for her mental health and pleas for her to be
00:03:15 --> 00:03:21 held until they could retrieve her, Maitrese was released just after midnight, 12.28 a.m.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:26 On September 17th, with no phone, no money, and no car.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:35 Several hours later, at 6.30 a.m., she was seen in the backyard of former KTLA
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 news anchor Bill Smith in Montenito.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:43 When Smith opened his window and asked if she was okay, Richardson told Smith that she was resting.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 Smith then called the police.
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 She seems to have walked out of the sheriff's station into the darkness,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:55 and other than that possible initial sighting, she was never seen alive again.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:59 When Maitris' family learned that she had been released in the middle of the
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 night with no resources, they were horrified.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:08 They immediately launched a search for her. The sheriff's department insisted
00:04:08 --> 00:04:11 that Maitris had chosen to leave and was not a danger to herself.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:18 Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,
00:04:18 --> 00:04:22 said Richardson was released from jail because, and I quote,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:26 she exhibited no signs of mental illness or intoxication.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 She was fine.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:34 She's an adult. She had been invited to wait in the lobby, but declined, end of quote.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 However, her family knew something was wrong.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:43 For months, volunteers scoured the rugged terrain of the Malibu Hills,
00:04:43 --> 00:04:50 distributing flyers, holding vigils, and pressuring law enforcement to take the case seriously.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:57 On January 9, 2010, four months after she was reported missing, the L.A.
00:04:57 --> 00:05:02 Sheriff's Department conducted one of the largest searches in the history of the department.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:08 Over 300 volunteers, trained in search and rescue operations,
00:05:08 --> 00:05:14 participated in the 18-square-mile search in the area of Malibu Canyon.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:20 The search included both air and ground searches of creeks, trails, and ridges.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:26 Richardson was not found during this search. In another search, Maurice Dubois,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:32 father of slain Escondido, California teen Amber Dubois, assisted Richardson's
00:05:32 --> 00:05:38 family on June 5th and 6th, 2010, in the Montenito area of Malibu Canyon.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:44 Over 100 private citizen volunteers participated in the search of the area.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:49 Although Richardson's remains were not discovered, searchers found racially
00:05:49 --> 00:05:54 and sexually offensive graffiti on the walls of a culvert in the canyon.
00:05:55 --> 00:06:00 The graffiti was freshly painted, and paint cans, brushes, and other potential
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 evidence were left at the scene.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 Leads were scarce, and the sheriff's
00:06:04 --> 00:06:08 department's handling of the case was increasingly called into question.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:13 Eyewitness reports surfaced, with some claiming to have seen Maitrese wandering
00:06:13 --> 00:06:17 through the canyons, looking dazed and confused.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:21 But each lead seemed to fizzle out without solid evidence.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:27 The sheriff's department was criticized for what many saw as a lack of urgency,
00:06:27 --> 00:06:33 and her family was left grappling with the frustrating reality of a stalled investigation.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:41 Nearly 11 months later, on August 9th, 2010, park rangers made a grim discovery.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:48 Deep in a secluded part of Malibu Canyon, the partial remains of a human skeleton
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 were found in a creek bed.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:54 The remains were later identified as Mitrice Richardson.
00:06:55 --> 00:07:00 Her naked, mummified body was located about 8 miles from the Lost Hills Station,
00:07:00 --> 00:07:07 in an area so remote and inaccessible that many questioned how Maitrese could have reached it alone.
00:07:07 --> 00:07:11 Some bones were scattered and her clothes were never found.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:18 Her remains were adjacent to a 21-acre ranch that is known for producing pornography.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:25 It is very secluded and has direct access to the creek bed. When her body was
00:07:25 --> 00:07:31 discovered, the detectives on the case removed her body against the order of the coroner.
00:07:31 --> 00:07:36 Though residents reportedly heard screams in that area several nights after
00:07:36 --> 00:07:43 Richardson disappeared, her death was deemed to not be a homicide and said there was no foul play.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:48 The condition of the remains only added to the mystery.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:54 Despite the advanced decomposition, some bones appeared strangely clean,
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 while others showed signs of animal activity.
00:07:57 --> 00:08:02 Mitrice's cause of death could not be determined, and the case was officially
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 closed as undetermined.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:08 This left her family and the public with a lingering sense of injustice and doubt.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:14 Why had she been released that night, and how did she end up in such an isolated spot?
00:08:14 --> 00:08:17 These questions have yet to be answered.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:22 Let's take a closer look at the controversial aspects of this case.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:28 First, why did the sheriff's department release her in the dead of night with
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 no means of contacting anyone?
00:08:30 --> 00:08:35 There were policies in place that allowed the police to hold individuals showing
00:08:35 --> 00:08:39 signs of mental instability, but those protocols were ignored.
00:08:40 --> 00:08:46 Law enforcement's response was met with outrage, especially from Mitrice's family,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:51 who believed the sheriff's department acted recklessly, leading to her death.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:55 Another significant point of contention was the location of the remains.
00:08:56 --> 00:09:00 The terrain was rugged and challenging, even for experienced hikers,
00:09:01 --> 00:09:04 prompting speculation that she might not have arrived there on her own.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:08 There were theories that Maitrese had been met with foul play,
00:09:09 --> 00:09:12 potentially at the hands of someone familiar with the area.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:19 Some suspected law enforcement involvement, given the inconsistencies in the
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 case and allegations of mishandling evidence.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:28 A former Los Angeles County deputy claimed he saw Maitrese at the station long
00:09:28 --> 00:09:32 after she was reportedly released, further fueling suspicions.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:39 Maitrese's mother, Latice Sutton, became the most vocal advocate for her daughter,
00:09:40 --> 00:09:44 pushing for answers and demanding accountability from the sheriff's department.
00:09:44 --> 00:09:49 She fought tirelessly to uncover the truth about what happened that night and
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 to expose potential mishandling of the investigation.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:59 Latisse has appeared in numerous interviews, documentaries, and news programs,
00:09:59 --> 00:10:04 keeping her daughter's case in the public eye and refusing to let Maitrice be forgotten.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:11 For her mother, the pain of losing Maitrice and the unanswered questions continue to haunt her.
00:10:11 --> 00:10:16 The sheriff's department has consistently denied any wrongdoing,
00:10:16 --> 00:10:20 and though an independent review criticized their handling of the case,
00:10:20 --> 00:10:24 no formal charges or disciplinary actions were ever taken.
00:10:25 --> 00:10:29 The lack of accountability has left a wound in the community,
00:10:29 --> 00:10:33 deepened by the sense that race played a role in how her case was managed.
00:10:35 --> 00:10:39 Mayatrice Richardson's story is not just a tale of tragedy.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:44 It's a cautionary one that highlights systemic flaws in the treatment of marginalized
00:10:44 --> 00:10:49 communities, particularly African Americans dealing with mental health issues.
00:10:49 --> 00:10:54 Her case underscores the urgent need for reform in law enforcement policies
00:10:54 --> 00:10:57 and better mental health support.
00:10:57 --> 00:11:02 While the investigation is considered closed by authorities,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:07 Mitrice's family and supporters continue to fight for justice,
00:11:07 --> 00:11:11 hoping that one day the truth will come to light.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:16 Richardson's family has filed several lawsuits against the Los Angeles County
00:11:16 --> 00:11:21 Sheriff's Department for releasing her from jail, even though they claim she
00:11:21 --> 00:11:25 was experiencing severe bipolar disorder at the time.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:30 In 2011, the Richardson family settled a civil lawsuit with L.A.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:36 County privately for $900. In January 2017,
00:11:37 --> 00:11:42 the California Attorney General's Office concluded an investigation into the
00:11:42 --> 00:11:46 circumstances surrounding Richardson's release from jail and decided not to
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 bring charges against anyone involved in her release.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:54 Maitrese's legacy lives on through the activism. Her case is inspired.
00:11:55 --> 00:12:02 Community members, activists, and her family continue to push for changes in
00:12:02 --> 00:12:06 the justice system that will prevent similar tragedies in the future.
00:12:06 --> 00:12:13 The question remains, what really happened to Maitrese Richardson on that dark September night?
00:12:13 --> 00:12:17 Was it a tragic accident, or was it something far more sinister?
00:12:18 --> 00:12:22 Until the answers come, we'll continue to keep her story alive,
00:12:22 --> 00:12:25 ensuring that the search for justice doesn't end here.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:32 Thank you for joining me on this deep dive into the case of Maitrese Richardson.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:38 If you have any information or insights related to this case,
00:12:38 --> 00:12:44 I urge you to contact the authorities or reach out to those dedicated to keeping her memory alive.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:50 Remember, it's not just about solving a case. It's about bringing closure and
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 justice to those who deserve it.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:57 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to hit that like button,
00:12:57 --> 00:13:00 leave a comment, write a review, and share it with your friends.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:10 And for more amazing NBG Podcast Network shows, head over to nbgpodcastnetwork.com
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 and check out our complete lineup.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:20 Stay tuned for our next episode, where we will continue to explore unresolved
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 cases and the stories behind them.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:28 Remember, stay connected, stay empowered, and stay vigilant.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:32 Until then, I'm your host, A.I.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:40 Jackson, and this is Black and Unsolved, True Crime Chronicles on the NBG Podcast Network.
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