Lost Hills: Dark Canyon
Western Sound and Pushkin Industries
Lost Hills investigates the dark side of Malibu, California. Beneath a seductive facade, this city of billionaires, celebrities, and surf bums is hiding something menacing.
On September 16, 2009, 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for failing to pay her bill at a restaurant in Malibu, CA. After being released from Lost Hills Station shortly after midnight, she disappeared. Eleven months later, her naked, skeletal remains were discovered in a canyon some six miles away.
For nearly 15 years, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Mitrice’s friends and family, and generations of internet sleuths have tried to crack the case.
To this day, her death remains an unsolved mystery.
The truth lies in the remote Malibu community where Mitrice was last seen. And now, finally, people are starting to talk.
Hosted by Dana Goodyear (The New Yorker) and produced by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries. Show artwork copyright Francesca Gabbiani.
Subscribe to Pushkin plus to hear the whole season early, and ad free. Find Pushkin plus on the Lost Hills show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Follow us @losthillspod on Twitter and Instagram for a deeper dive into the stories.
On September 16, 2009, 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for failing to pay her bill at a restaurant in Malibu, CA. After being released from Lost Hills Station shortly after midnight, she disappeared. Eleven months later, her naked, skeletal remains were discovered in a canyon some six miles away.
For nearly 15 years, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Mitrice’s friends and family, and generations of internet sleuths have tried to crack the case.
To this day, her death remains an unsolved mystery.
The truth lies in the remote Malibu community where Mitrice was last seen. And now, finally, people are starting to talk.
Hosted by Dana Goodyear (The New Yorker) and produced by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries. Show artwork copyright Francesca Gabbiani.
Subscribe to Pushkin plus to hear the whole season early, and ad free. Find Pushkin plus on the Lost Hills show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Follow us @losthillspod on Twitter and Instagram for a deeper dive into the stories.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 10, 2024 • 42min
2. My Light
Unveiling Mitrice's secret struggle through her journals, detailing her mental state and love life. Exploring her vibrant personality, rebellious beginnings, and triumphs. Reflecting on emotional impact, new love, and concerns about mental health. Delving into family history, struggles with mental health, and safety concerns.
Jun 10, 2024 • 36min
1. Vultures
The podcast discusses the mysterious disappearance of Mitrice Richardson, with puzzling questions raised by her autopsy. A new witness is introduced, and eerie encounters in Dark Canyon and a vulture-filled town are explored. The narrative includes spine-chilling incidents, small business success stories, and a trip to Rome with Airbnb experiences.
May 30, 2024 • 4min
Coming Soon - Season 4, Dark Canyon
Explore the mysterious disappearance and death of Mitrice Richardson in Malibu. Uncover the unsolved case that has baffled investigators for nearly 15 years. Dive into the investigation of new evidence and potential cover-ups in Dark Canyon. Discover the secrets and twists in this intriguing true crime story.
May 24, 2024 • 22min
Crash from Death of an Artist: Krasner and Pollock
Join the podcast as they delve into the intriguing life of Lee Krasner, an influential artist overshadowed by her famous husband Jackson Pollock. Explore their tumultuous relationship, Krasner's impact on the modern art scene, and the tragic events that shaped their legacy.
Jan 11, 2024 • 4min
Ripple from Western Sound: The BP Oil Spill
An investigative podcast dives into the aftermath of the BP Oil Spill, revealing hidden consequences and ongoing challenges faced by Gulf Coast residents beyond official reports. Host explores the environmental disaster's lasting impacts on health, environment, and society.
Jul 27, 2023 • 25min
Black Heroes of Surfing
Textured Waves is a Black female surf collective focused on promoting diversity in the water and teaching Black youth to surf. In this bonus episode, Dana talks to two of the collective’s founding members, Chelsea Woody and Martina Duran, about joy in the ocean, localism, and an accomplished Black surfer from the era of Miki Dora. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 24, 2023 • 22min
The Toughest Girl in Malibu
Malibu, 1950. Before Gidget, before even Miki Dora, there was one surfer who ruled the waves and was known for cutting down anyone who got in her way. And she thought Miki was the kook. In this bonus episode, Dana talks to Vikki Flaxman Williams, the original surfer girl of Malibu, who at 91 is still as tough as ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 20, 2023 • 41min
12. A Nasty Piece of Work
When he dies, in 2002, Miki leaves wreckage in his wake. A stash of letters reveal his deepest and most toxic beliefs. And Linda Cuy explains the true cost of Miki’s rebellious search for surf. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 17, 2023 • 40min
11. Writing on the Wall
After prison, Miki is a changed man . . . kind of. He knows better than to break the law again. So he finds other ways to make money. He gets Quiksilver, the surf apparel company, to put him on the payroll. And with the help of a couple of celebrity surfers, Kelly Slater and Chris Malloy, Miki tries to get back on top. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 13, 2023 • 38min
10. Aging Boy of Summer
After getting busted in France in 1981, Miki finally surrenders himself to the FBI. Agents have spent years interviewing denizens of the surf world, gathering dirt on Miki. His criminal file is 876 pages long. Miki decides to face the music, but he still has a couple tricks up his sleeve.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
