Richardson, 25, has been missing since September 2009, when she was released from police custody in a remote area without car keys, a wallet or cellphone.
Richardson, who may have been bipolar, was arrested for failing to pay an $89 bill at a Malibu restaurant. Witnesses said she was acting odd, despite having only one drink on her bill, telling staff and patrons she was from Mars and speaking gibberish.
After her arrest, Richardson, 25, was released from a remote substation and vanished.
After Mitrice's family complained about police efforts, the largest missing persons search in the area was launched. Drones were used to search the rugged Malibu hills.
Both Mitrice's mother and father have filed separate lawsuits, alleging negligence on the behalf of police.
Rep. Maxine Waters has requested the FBI's involvement, because she said Mitrice Richardson's civil rights may have been violated. Police have said they followed proper procedures before Richardson was released.
Even with the announcement of the discovery of Mitrice's remains on Thursday, there is still controversy.
Michael Richardson, Mitrice's father, said police did not contact him before announcing that they had discovered his daughter's remains. KTLA reports:
Richardson's father, Michael, said officials never contacted him to confirm his daughter's death prior to the press conference. Instead, he says, he found out through the news media.
When asked why Michael Richardson was not informed, Baca grew visibly agitated and said that he himself had just found out the confirmation minutes before the news conference.
Baca responded saying, "I just got informed a half-an-hour ago. You expect me to tell the father immediately?"
The discovery brings a sad end to the search for Mitrice. Authorities seemed hopeful last month, after receiving the credible sightings.
I'm sure, though, that the closure about what happened to his daughter will only lead Michael Richardson and the rest of Mitrice's family to press harder for the details surrounding her release. Mitrice's family and the public deserves to know.
05-Aug-10 - Dr. Cornel West apparently has a bone to pick with President Barack Obama. Over time, the good Dr. West has become increasingly vocal in his critique of Obama, and even went as far as to say that Obama treated him "like a cub scout."
05-Aug-10 - Dr. Cornel West apparently has a bone to pick with President Barack Obama. Over time, the good Dr. West has become increasingly vocal in his critique of Obama, and even went as far as to say that Obama treated him "like a cub scout."
05-Aug-10 - Actress Maia Campbell, who was just recently videotaped performing a host of alleged drug-induced antics on a California street, has been arrested, according to Young, Black and Fabulous.
04-Aug-10 - Omar Thornton's family added some details to early reports that he was the victim of workplace racism that was ignored by higher-ups at the company.
03-Aug-10 - Fred Wills Jr., chef and owner of Big Daddy's: A Touch of the South restaurant in Virginia Beach, is accused of cooking up something a little spicier than gumbo. How about a multimillion-dollar cocaine and marijuana ring.
30-July-10 - Diddy recently told Vibe magazine that Nightline Host Martin Bashir's question about him giving his son a Maybach for his birthday was racist.
28-July-10 - An Ohio woman who helped counsel countless couples experiencing marital discord was found stabbed to death on Monday. The suspect is her husband.
27-July-10 - Mocienne Petit Jackson, a Netherlands woman who claims to be the child of pop sensation Michael Jackson and Diana Ross' sister, Barbara Ross, has filed documents in a Los Angeles court, according to TMZ.
23-July-10 - Could it be that Rangel simply forgot the rules? Did it slip his mind that he wasn't supposed to use his letterhead to get corporate donations for a building named after him, as charged? That's not the Charlie Rangel I knew, but that Rangel will surely be exposed when his trial starts.
23-July-10 - R&B heartthrob Brian McKnight, who was accused of being a long-lost baby daddy to a 14-year-old Florida boy, is not be the child's biological father.
Police believe they have recovered the remains of Cal State Fullerton grad Mitrice Richardson in Malibu Canyon.