Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"But the thing is about how she was found is my Trees her clothes were neatly taken off in ways that animals couldn't do. Like a scavenger animal can't unhook a bra and unbuckle a belt, right? Like, it couldn't have unzipped my Trees' jeans. And they don't have a possible thumbs to be able to do those things. But that is how my Trees' clothes were found." — Brit
"The deputy says that he felt my trees was acting unusual, and he was super uneasy about letting her go. Which, listen, I don't know about you, Brit, but to me, that seems like a big jump from the department saying, 'Hey, we were totally confident she was fine.'" — Ashley Flowers
"It might not have been what caused her death, but it is what led her to that restaurant on that night in September 2009. And you know, it's often around my Trees' age when signs of mental illness start to manifest." — Ashley Flowers
This episode chronicles the perplexing case of My Trees Richardson, a 24-year-old psychology student whose life took a tragic turn in September 2009. Her disappearance began with an incident at an upscale restaurant, where she was unable to pay her bill, leading to her arrest for marijuana possession. Despite initial assurances that she would be held safely overnight, My Trees was released from a sheriff's station on foot, without her belongings, and miles from her car, sparking immediate concern from her family, particularly her mother, Latisse.
As the investigation unfolded, a disturbing pattern of perceived mishandling by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department emerged. Delays in filing a missing person's report, the late notification of a potential sighting, and the eventual transfer of the case to the LAPD highlighted a lack of urgency and transparency. The discovery of My Trees' journals and her belongings in her car suggested she was experiencing a significant mental health crisis. Later, her partially mummified body was found in Dark Canyon, a remote area consistent with her mother's initial suspicions, but the subsequent handling of the remains and the investigation by law enforcement drew severe criticism and accusations of procedural violations and a failure to consider homicide.
The case raises critical questions about law enforcement's response to individuals in mental distress, especially those from marginalized communities. The narrative emphasizes the stark contrast between the victim's behavior, which was noted as erratic by restaurant staff and initially by the arresting deputy, and the department's repeated assertions that there was no cause to detain her further. The episode concludes with the official cause of death listed as undetermined, leaving many unanswered questions and highlighting the ongoing fight for justice and answers for My Trees Richardson and her family.