Misty Upham Death: Police Say No Mistreatment
Published on October 23, 2014.Photo by Rob Latour/REX
August: Osage County actress, Misty Upham’s death was confirmed last week after she had been missing for a couple of weeks.
Her body was found by police at the bottom of an embankment near the White River in Auburn, Washington and her father quickly confirmed her identity, ending the search for the missing 32-year old.
After her body was discovered the family made it very clear that they were unhappy with the police department’s treatment of their daughter’s case.
Her family said that Misty had an ongoing battle with mental illness and were concerned for her when she was not heard from after October 6, but do not believe she committed suicide.
After her identity had been confirmed, a family friend spoke out stating that, “They [the police] refused to help. When she disappeared on Oct. 5, the family knew something was seriously wrong- it was out of character for her to be gone so long without being in touch- and they repeatedly went to the police, who insisted there was no cause for concern.”
The police department state there was never any wrongdoing in the treatment of Misty over their several calls involving her.
“Since July of 2013, the Auburn Police Department has responded to five separate incidents involving Ms. Upham. On four of those incidents, she was contacted by officers and she did not object to being transported by private ambulance for further evaluation,” the department stated.
On the fifth call however, Misty was already gone and could not be located, “Each contact was handled professionally and with compassion, with the goal of getting Ms. Upham the attention and care she needed,” they continued.
Misty Upham’s family tells a different story however, saying she was scared of police after one incident when she was apparently injured, “After Misty arrived at the ER we went to see her and has a swollen jaw, black eye and scratches and bruises on her shoulder,” her father stated.
The police stand by their statment that each case was handled correctly.
Misty Upham’s cause of death has not been confirmed and is still being investigated.
