The family of Mitrice Richardson, a 24 year-old African-American woman who went missing after being released from Malibu Police department has filed a million dollar claim against the Los Angeles Police Department. Mitrice was arrested on September 17th 2009 for not paying an $89 bill at Geoffrey's Restaurant in Malibu and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore told the L.A. Times. The marijuana was allegedly found in her 1990 Honda Civic, which was impounded.

Richardson was released at about 1:25 A.M. on Friday, September 18th because "she exhibited no signs of mental illness or intoxication. She was fine. She's an adult," Whitmore said. After Los Angeles police detectives learned that Richardson was probably suffering form severe mental disorder at the time of her Sept 17 disappearance, the department requested a mass search on January 9th, taking in 18-square inch mile area of ridges, canyons and trails. The search drew 300 voluteers to Malibu, but still no sign of Mitrice Richardson.

Mitrice Richardson is a Cal State Fullerton graduate with a 4.0 GPA and is set to begin a doctorate program.

Help find her. If you have any information please call or email:

Dr. Ronda Hampton- (951) 660-8031 ; drrondahampton@yahoo.com

LAPD - Detective Steven Eguchi: (213) 485-2531