The body of actress Misty Upham was found in a Seattle ravine on Thursday afternoon, a family spokesperson confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. The “August: Osage County” and “Frozen River” actress had been missing since October 5.
Upham’s uncle, who was in the family’s search party, found the body, and her father, Charles Upham, identified it for police. Charles Upham had said his daughter had bipolar disorder and feared she may have been suicidal. But after viewing the body, the family didn’t think Upham took her own life.
According to Seattle-based filmmaker Tracy Rector, Upham’s family had been searching for three days and blamed the Auburn Police Department for not assisting in the search.
“First and foremost,” Rector, who was also part of the search 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 October 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.”
The King County Coroner’s Office will address the media about the case on Friday.
Upham played Johnna Monevata in “August” and Lila Littlewolf in “Frozen River.” She also had parts in “The Dry Land,” “Django Unchained,” TV series “Big Love” and “Cake.” She was currently filming a thriller called “Crawlspace.”
After news of Upham’s death spread, co-stars shared their sympathies with her family in statements to THR:
“So so sad to hear this news — all our thoughts are with her family and with her beautiful spirit.” — “August: Osage County”‘s Meryl Streep
“Such a loss… so sad, so so sad.” — “Frozen River”‘s Melissa Leo
Emilee Lindner
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