
Lost Hills: Dark Canyon
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.
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Follow us @losthillspod on Twitter and Instagram for a deeper dive into the stories.
Latest episodes

Nov 13, 2024 • 20min
Important Lost Hills - Dark Canyon Update
The speakers are buzzing with excitement as they arrive at the sheriff's department, eager to dig into the mysterious case of Mitrice Richardson. A surprising email from a detective sparks renewed hope for the investigation. Tensions rise as they discuss a suspect's polygraph test results while grappling with the overwhelming challenges of unsolved cases. New evidence discovered at Rick's Fort brings a sense of accomplishment, promising potential breakthroughs ahead. Plus, amidst serious topics, they humorously tackle holiday safety concerns.

Oct 25, 2024 • 41min
The Edinburgh Body Snatchers from Cautionary Tales
In 1827 Edinburgh, a shocking tale unfolds as two men turn a body shortage into a horrifying business. Greed drives William Burke and William Hare to desperate measures, sparking a scandal involving grave robbing and corpse trading. Ethical debates swirl around body ownership and the morality of medical dissection. The story takes a tragic turn with the fate of Daft Jamie, revealing the dark underbelly of a society grappling with life, death, and commerce. It’s a chilling reflection on the lengths people will go in the name of survival.

Jul 17, 2024 • 42min
12. Dig Two Graves
The podcast explores the mysterious package received, potential surveillance, and sentimental discoveries. It also delves into new leads, suspicions linking a character to a death, and deceptive behavior. Emotional reflections on a missing loved one's birthday and seeking justice for unresolved cases are highlighted.

Jul 15, 2024 • 34min
11. The Suitcase
Exploring suspicions around a person of interest, a chilling discovery in the woods, and the unsettling find of women's lingerie in the forest. Discussions on potential crime involvement, eerie locations like Chateau Shangri-La, the tragic journey of a key figure, and the search for forensic evidence in a garbage bag.

Jul 10, 2024 • 30min
10. The Wallypad
A firefighter's home is infiltrated by an informant seeking info on a Person of Interest, leading to a visit to Lost Hills Station. Detectives look into Rick's links, focusing on the mysterious Wally Pad. Rumors and revelations emerge in the mountainous region, including a chilling rumor that changes perceptions. Lisa befriends Rick to uncover suspicions, leading to discoveries of human remains and women's clothes in Dark Canyon.

Jul 8, 2024 • 33min
9. Fearful Witness
The podcast delves into a woman's disturbing encounter near the time of Mitrice's death, the exhumation of her remains for a second autopsy, and ongoing investigations into Rick Forsberg's violent behavior towards women.

Jul 3, 2024 • 37min
8. Rick Trouble
Guest Rick Trouble, a former golden boy turned survivalist, has a troubling violent history. The podcast covers his criminal past, off-the-grid lifestyle, and suspicions surrounding a mysterious case. It delves into his rebellious actions, secret hideouts in the woods, and potential ties to a girl's disappearance. Rick's reckless behavior, criminal history involving drugs and violent attacks, and his dark past are unravelled throughout the episode.

Jul 1, 2024 • 35min
7. In the Shit
Exploring the treacherous route into Dark Canyon, visits to the Porn Ranch border, and revelations of a Person of Interest in the case. Hiking challenges, unique underground houses, rebellious photographer experiences, and unraveling mysterious disappearances in the raw wilderness. Suspicious characters, crime scene investigations, and potential leads create intrigue in the search for the missing individual.

Jun 26, 2024 • 32min
6. Reconnaissance
The podcast explores the controversial investigation into Mitrice’s remains found in Dark Canyon, raising doubts about law enforcement. It discusses challenges in handling human remains and follows the family's search for missing bones. The episode also touches on the revolutionizing tennis viewing experience and sponsor messages.

Jun 24, 2024 • 33min
Bonus: Get Jim
James Mee, the arresting officer in Mel Gibson's DUI case on Pacific Coast Highway, discusses the power of celebrities in Malibu. The episode explores the contrast in treatment between regular individuals and famous figures by law enforcement, revealing the challenges deputies face. It also delves into controversial arrests, media scandals, road safety innovations, public scrutiny, and Deputy Meade's battle for justice against LA County.
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