Police: Woman Who Vanished in 2009 Sighted in Vegas

(July 29) -- Authorities in California are investigating several reported sightings of Mitrice Richardson, the 25-year-old woman whose mysterious disappearance following her release from a Los Angeles County sheriff's substation nearly a year ago prompted a massive search.

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore, investigators have received "credible sightings" of Richardson in the Las Vegas area, The Associated Press reported.

"You're not in trouble, you're not subject to arrest," Whitmore told AP. "We just want to know you're OK. Please contact police or a family member."

Richardson was arrested on Sept. 16 after she exhibited bizarre behavior at a Malibu restaurant and allegedly refused to pay an $89 bill.

"We have a guest here who is refusing to pay her bill," a restaurant worker said in the 911 call. "She sounds really crazy. She may be on drugs or something. We were wondering if someone could come by and pick her up."

Investigators took Richardson into custody and booked her into the L.A. sheriff's substation in Calabasas. Her car, containing her purse and cell phone, was also impounded. The following morning, investigators released Richardson. She did not pick up her vehicle or personal items and walked away from the holding facility and vanished.

Richardson's disappearance prompted a massive but unsuccessful ground and air search by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department. Some sightings were reported, but investigators were unable to locate her.

Since that time, a subject of contention in the case has centered on allegations that Richardson, a college honors graduate of Cal State-Fullerton, suffers from bipolar disorder and was disorientated at the time of her release. Richardson's parents have since filed individual lawsuits against the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, alleging negligence because their daughter was not given a mental health evaluation or afforded proper legal protection under department protocol.

Officials with the sheriff's department deny those claims and maintain Richardson was acting rationally when she left the facility.

The new lead in the case reportedly came from a former friend of Richardson who contacted police and told them he had seen her inside the lounge of the Rio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino last month. The man said he attempted to speak with Richardson, but she ignored him, Rhonda Hampton, a close family friend, told CNN.

"The woman turned around and looked as if she didn't know him and then looked at him again," Hampton said. "Then she ran off with some woman."

The man did not immediately report the incident to police because he did not realize she was still missing until he discussed the encounter with a family member a few weeks ago. Since then, Richardson's father, Michael Richardson, has told the media there have been 80 possible sightings of his daughter. Whitmore has declined to confirm that figure, but he did tell AP, "They wouldn't be going to Las Vegas if they didn't believe the information was credible."

While L.A. investigators have remained tight-lipped about many aspects of the investigation, authorities in Las Vegas have scheduled a news conference for this afternoon to discuss the latest developments in the case.