LAS VEGAS – Mitrice Richardson vanished without a trace in September. The 25-year-old's story began when she started displaying bizarre behavior. She told people she was from Mars. Then, she got into trouble at a Malibu, California restaurant after receiving an $89 bill.
“We have a guest here who is refusing to pay her bill,” said a restaurant worker on a 911 call. “We think she may… she sounds really crazy. She may be on drugs or something. We were wondering if someone could come by and pick her up.”
Richardson was detained but released from a sheriff's substation in Malibu. She had no car, no cell phone and no purse. Authorities said she appeared rational, but the 25-year-old suffers from bipolar disorder. Shortly after her release, Richardson disappeared. Massive searches of the Malibu canyon turned up nothing.
Michael Richardson is Mitrice's father. “We don't know what happened,” he said. “We do know that this person had a nervous breakdown. This person had a psychological issue that caused all of this.”
Now, the Mitrice Richardson saga has taken a new turn to Las Vegas. Michael Richardson is convinced he saw his daughter outside a Motel 6 on Fremont Street in January. “The way this young lady walked made me almost get hit by a car in Las Vegas. (I was) trying to run and catch her. Her body mechanics that I saw told me this was my child,” he said. “I'm elated, but I'm reserved at the same token.”
Richardson believes Mitrice may be avoiding friends and family or is under the influence of someone keeping his daughter isolated. A second possible sighting at the Rio is giving the family and law enforcement hope that Mitrice will be home soon. A man who took Mitrice to the prom several years ago is convinced he saw her about six weeks ago at a lounge inside the Rio. He says he said hello to her. He says she looked surprised, got up, and quickly left.
“I just have to continue my quest,” Michael Richardson said. “I don't believe my child is dead.”
Representatives of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday in Las Vegas. They are expected to reach out to Richardson and inform her that she's not in trouble. Authorities are urging Richardson to come forward and contact family or police.
Her parents, meanwhile, have each sued the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. They claim the department released Mitrice when she wasn't in the right state of mind.
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