The King County coroner has confirmed that the body discovered in Auburn, WA, on Thursday, October 16, is that of actress Misty Upham. Upham was known for her roles in Frozen River, with Melissa Leo, and August: Osage County, opposite Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, and Sam Shepard.
Upham's body was found by her uncle, Robert Upham, who had organized a search party. She was found more than ten days after her family reported her missing. Upham's longtime friend Tracy Rector told The Hollywood Reporter that the local police were not helpful in the search for the actress, who was last seen on October 5.
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Rector said, "First and foremost," she told THR, "the family wants everyone to know that the Auburn police did not help with this situation at all. They 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."
Upham's father was initially concerned that the actress, who was bipolar and thought to be without her medication, was suicidal, but has since made a statement on Facebook that he thinks she died trying to get away from the police. The King County Medical Examiner's office has not reported an official cause of death.
Upham was 32. (The Hollywood Reporter)