Human Bones Discovered in Malibu Area

A human skull, a leg bone, and other skeletal remains were found in unincorporated Monte Nido on Monday near an abandoned marijuana grove, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

The remains were discovered around 1 p.m. by state rangers who were searching for the grove.

The crime scene is about 20 to 30 miles southeast of the 101 Freeway in Malibu Creek State Park off the 25500 block of Piuma Road near Malibu Canyon Road, said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman with the LASD.

Authorities have yet to determine if the bones are those of 25-year-old Mitrice Richardson, who was last seen being released from the sheriff's station after midnight on Sept. 17, 2009.

"It's hard to tell at this point who it is, we haven't determined the sex," said Ed Winter, assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County.

The skull included some teeth, which will be compared with Richardson's dental records, Winter said.

The teeth will also be compared to the dental records of Agoura Hills resident Timothy Perryman, who went missing after leaving his home around 1 p.m. on March 28, 2004.

The remains have been taken to the office of the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner and tests will be conducted beginning Tuesday, Winter said.

"It would be way too early to speculate, it wouldn't be fair to either family," said Lt. Mike Rosson of the LASD's Homicide Bureau.

The area the bones were discovered was described as "an extreme area" that someone would have to access, Rosson added.