Activist: Mitrice Richardson sighted in South L.A.

Mitrice Richardson

By WIRE SERVICES

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Numerous people in South Los Angeles have claimed to have seen a woman who went missing a month ago after being released from a sheriff's station in Malibu, a community activist said Saturday.

Mitrice Richardson, 24, of South Los Angeles, was arrested Sept. 16 at Geoffrey's restaurant in Malibu, where she was acting strangely and was unable to pay her $89 bill.

The part-time teacher and Cal State Fullerton graduate was booked and then released about 1:25 a.m. the next day, according to the sheriff's department. Her 1990 Honda Civic was impounded, and she walked away from the station with no cell phone.

Her family has criticized authorities for letting the woman go when she appeared to be intoxicated and having mental problems.

But sheriff's officials have said she passed a sobriety test and they had no reason to hold her.

Two searches were conducted in the area stretching from Calabasas to the coast over consecutive weekends, but Richardson was not found, despite reports that she had been spotted everywhere from Los Angeles to Orange County and as far away as San Jose.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is offering a $10,000 reward for information on Richardson's whereabouts.

Over the past few evenings, several South Los Angeles residents have said they saw Richardson, said Earl Ofari Hutchinson of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable.

They said they saw her at Manchester Avenue and Denker Street, Manchester and Western avenues and Florence and Western avenues, he said.

However, none of those reports were relayed to authorities, said Officer Bruce Borihanh of the LAPD Media Relations Section.

"That's the problem," Hutchinson said. "People are seeing her and no one has had the presence of mind to notify authorities."

Hutchinson said several community members called a local radio show also claiming to have seen Richardson.

"We believe she may still be in the area," he said.

Richardson is black, 5 feet 5 inches and about 125 pounds with tattoos on her lower abdomen and behind her neck. She was last seen wearing a brown Bob Marley T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts was asked to call Los Angeles police at (213) 485-2531.

Hutchinson said he will be at Florence and Western avenues at 11 a.m. Sunday to pass out pictures of Richardson and urge area residents to immediately alert authorities if they think they see the missing woman.

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melissa said on Saturday, Feb 6 at 9:55 AM

It is sad to say but the LAPD killed this young lady. I bet no one has seen her this another reason why the police dept is known as the most corrupt police dept. in the world.I hate this for her family.We should now pray that God touches the heart of one of these cops and they admitt to what REALLY took place that night because thry are lieng!!! I pray that this beautiful baby is found alive but its looking llike the chances for that is becoming slim to none everyday!!! Mitrice we pray for you and your family!!!

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Oscar said on Monday, Nov 16 at 8:29 PM

Now, it's it rather convenient for the Malibu Sheriff's Department to have Mitrice cited OUT OF MALIBU, which would free them from having to deal with this ordeal?? Oddly enough, there has not been one single phone call from Mitrice to her family or friends. Goodness, Even ET phoned HOME!!!! I wouldn't be surprise to hear that these so-called eye witnesses were paid off!

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Tara said on Sunday, Nov 15 at 6:35 PM

Umbrella, you are completely ignorant. Why would someone even worry about being questioned if they just call and say they saw her somewhere? Unless they suspiciously found her dead or are somewhere they shouldn't be, you saying they don't want to call doesn't make sense. God forbid you ever find your self in a situation where a loved one is missing, and no one will step up and call when they think they see them.

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Umbrella said on Friday, Oct 30 at 1:06 AM

There are no payphones in Los Angeles. Or they are extremely rare and most do not work. If someone saw her, do you think they would go a few miles to the nearest payphone, if there even is one? And that would not make them anonymous, because if they found a pay phone, it would most likely be located inside a business with people around. Plus, if Mitrice seems like she is okay, why would anyone bother calling? The people at the jail all said she seemed fine.

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mrs.dee said on Tuesday, Oct 27 at 7:43 AM

Maybe umbrella but why couldn't so one call in from a payphone ? I heard ppl were calling in a local radio station saying they saw her, so what's good with tht. I'm blk and I live in philly. And I know ppl use the payphone to call in tips to try and stay anonymous. Or maybe tht is just me thinkin too much into it. Idk

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Umbrella said on Sunday, Oct 25 at 9:44 PM

Most Black people in South LA do not want to call an LA police detective because that causes interaction with the police questioning, being on their radar, and possibly being blamed in some way. Ask those that think they saw her why they did not call. I bet that is why. If you are not in that location/situation, maybe it makes no sense to you. Or maybe Mitrice is like Bigfoot- always seen and never captured.

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mrs. dee said on Sunday, Oct 25 at 4:12 PM

I agree with scotty. Who cares, this woman needs to be found so tht her family can get her the help she needs. So wht about being anonymous. I don't think ppl will be mad at the person who calls in to have her rescued !!!

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Scotty said on Sunday, Oct 25 at 8:31 AM

Umbrella, that makes absolutely no sense to me. They do not call police for what good reason to report a missing woman who has been the subject of nationwide news reports.

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Umbrella said on Sunday, Oct 25 at 1:56 AM

MOST People don't call police phone numbers, for good reasons. They need a guaranteed anonymous, but official, email. Emails to nonofficials in this case are being ignored.

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