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Sheriff Lee Baca and coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter will hold a 9:30 conference and haven't commented yet, but the Los Angeles Times reports via news alert that the remains found Monday in Malibu Canyon are the missing woman. She was last seen Sept. 17 after being released from the sheriff's custody in Agoura Hills, without a car, cellphone or purse despite showing signs of mental distress. The sheriff recently publicized a reported sighting in Las Vegas, which now appears to have been tragically erroneous. Richardson's family has already sued the county over her handling by the sheriff's office. Richardson, a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, was 24. She had been taken into custody over an unpaid bill at Geoffrey's in Malibu.
* 8:50 update: Times story cites "a source familiar with the investigation" confirming that it is Richardson.
9:40 a.m. update: Baca press conference live on Fox 11: "It's to my sadness and disappointment that I am reporting to you it is the confirmed remains of Mitrice Richardson....the circumstances of this case are tragic." Baca says the remains were found about two miles from the Lost Hills sheriff's station, not 30 miles as reported before. "Let's let the family have their time of grieving...we have nothing to hide in this case." (Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore clarifies the remains were found eight miles from the Lost Hills station where she was released.)