Search intensifies for Mitrice Richardson who disappeared in Malibu, Calif. 2 weeks ago, part 1

October 1, 10:53 PMCrime ExaminerCindy Adams

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Matrice Richardson (Family photo)

Mitrice Richardson, 24, of Los Angeles left the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station in the early morning hours of Sept. 17. She had been arrested for not paying a restaurant tab and possessing a small amount of pot, and has been missing since she left the station.

Mitrice was arrested on the evening of Sept. 16 at Geoffrey’s Restaurant in Malibu, Calif. Allegedly, Mitrice failed to pay her bill and possessed less than an ounce of marijuana, which are both misdemeanor charges according to The Acorn, a local newspaper.

Her car had been impounded so Mitrice had no means of transportation upon release from the sheriff’s station at about 1 a.m.

Mitrice’s mother, Latice Sutton said her 90-year-old grandmother had tried to pay Mitrice’s restaurant bill over the phone, but the restaurant refused because she was unable to fax a signed receipt to them. Sutton attempted to pay the bill, but Mitrice had already been arrested.

Matrice Richardson (Booking photo)

Sutton said “I told the deputy it was uncharacteristic of my daughter to go places and not pay a bill. She’s responsible… She’s normally the designated driver.”

Mitrice is pursuing a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and recently graduated from a California state university with a 4.0 grade-point average. She is also bilingual and volunteers her time with nonprofit organizations.

Mitrice’s father, Michael Richardson, said a number of witnesses at the restaurant said his daughter was disoriented and reports indicate she may have been speaking gibberish, even claiming she was from another planet.

Her family believes she may have been experiencing some sort of mental crisis or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, therefore, authorities should have kept her under surveillance for a longer period of time.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson, Steve Whitmore, said Mitrice was given the option to obtain transportation and was offered the opportunity to spend the night at the station, but she refused. “She wanted to be released,” said Whitmore.

Continue to Part 2 of Matrice's story