Almost 15 years after she was released from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station shortly after midnight on September 17th, 2009, Mitrice Richardson’s disappearance continues to get attention. Her case has become known as one of the most tragic examples of negligence and mishandling by members of law enforcement in a potential murder case.

Richardson was only 24 years old with a promising life ahead of her after graduating with a psychology degree from Cal State Fullerton. Richardson had plans on becoming a child psychologist when she vanished into the night in an area known as “Dark Canyon”.

Recently, People Magazine released a special edition issue titled “50 Years of True Crime Stories, Gripping Tales of Murder, Survival, and Justice – Exclusive Interviews and Updates”.

While the issue did not update Richardson’s case, the issue she was featured in was prominently displayed in the center of the back cover.

Malibu Daily News contacted Dr. Ronda Hampton, a licensed clinical psychologist and mentor to Mitrice Richardson for her thoughts regarding the People Magazine coverage of the Richardson case.

“When I saw that People was covering the last 50 years of true crime stories, I was a bit disappointed that Mitrice’s story was not included in the article; however, I was pleased that at least the cover of her story was on the back of the magazine. These small gestures are reminders of her story and that maybe someday, someone will come forward with information on her case.”

LISTENER BEWARE

The Richardson case is also a feature in the “Dark Canyon” series of the Lost Hills podcast by Pushkin Industries.

Dr. Hampton welcomes media coverage to keep the case in the public eye in hopes of finding the person or persons responsible for Richardson’s death; however, she feels the Dark Canyon coverage of the case fails to provide critical information to the listener.

The series appears to make a conscious effort to weave a narrative around a dead man as the suspected killer when there are multiple persons of interest who may have more tying them to her disappearance and potential murder.

“I am always happy when there is any coverage of Mitrice’s story especially after all these years. I do have some mixed feelings about this particular podcast as the journalist puts a great deal of focus on one particular individual whom she believes is responsible for Mitrice’s death. It is an issue for me when influential podcasters lead their followers in a direction that causes followers to believe the case is solved. The reality is we do not know what happened to Mitrice and while this podcaster might be on to something, there is some degree of irresponsibility when she presents her speculations as factual. I want Mitrice’s case solved, but not at the cost of pointing the finger at a dead man who cannot defend himself and without concrete evidence.”

The series host, Dana Goodyear, dismisses the potential of law enforcement being involved in her disappearance – and potentially her death – as she opines in her podcast that law enforcement is not likely to have any involvement in the disappearance and death of Mitrice Richardson and that, “a sinister narrative has taken hold in the public imagination …” as related to the circumstances surrounding this case.

Even more disturbing, Goodyear befriended one of the key persons involved in the search for Mitrice Richardson, former LASD Sergeant Tui Wright. She describes Wright, in the Dark Canyon podcast, as being integral in “solving” the Tristan Beaudette murder case which many in the sheriff’s department dispute.

In January 2019, then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva ordered an internal affairs probe of Sgt. Tui Wright and Lt. Jim Royal regarding their potential interference in the murder investigation of Tristan Beudette.

Both were transferred from the Malibu/Lost Hills station for their involvement. Wright sued the department and after a settlement, retired from the Sheriff’s Department shortly after.

There are many instances throughout the episodes that lack context and/or omit critical information misleading the listeners.

In classic True Crime podcast form, Goodyear takes the easy route, pointing the finger at a dead man, rather than truly engaging listeners and encourage more information to come in.

This negates the purpose of a true investigation, potentially sabotaging the efforts to solve the Richardson case, and hold the person or persons responsible for her disappearance and death, accountable.

Listen at your own risk.