Congresswoman Waters Welcomes FBI Assistance in Mitrice Richardson Case

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) issued the following statement after Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca asked for the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the case of Mitrice Richardson:

"I am pleased that L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca has requested the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) assistance and will send Mitrice Richardson's remains to the agency for further examination. Although the L.A. County coroner concluded that Mitrice's cause of death could not be determined, an independent review reveals disturbing information and offers chilling new insight into what may have occurred after Mitrice's disappearance.  It is my hope that the FBI will help us learn the truth.

"Ever since Mitrice disappeared, her mother, Latice Sutton, and a broad network of supporters have remained vigilant in their efforts to uncover the truth.  Following the discovery of Mitrice's remains, many questions about the circumstances of her tragic death have not been answered. Over the past year, I have communicated to the Justice Department my concerns about the handling of this case by local authorities and indicated that federal involvement in the investigation was warranted.

"While I commend Sheriff Baca for his cooperation, I am disappointed that Mitrice's family and the local community had to expend a great a deal of resources – organizing private searches and requesting an independent review – in order to compel the local authorities to investigate what appears to be a series of clearly negligent missteps in official procedures and protocols.

"My thoughts and prayers remain with Mitrice's family and friends, who have all exhibited a remarkable amount of strength and fortitude.  This case has exposed an utter failure in our justice system, and I am deeply concerned about the implication for other families who may not have the time or abundance of community support needed to mount an equally formidable public crusade as Mitrice's family was able to achieve.  My constituents, and all Americans, deserve the equal protection and due diligence of their law enforcement authorities, and we must continue to hold our public officials accountable to their sworn duty to protect and to serve."

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