Skip to main content

Actress Misty Upham found dead after going missing

(FRANKS..)

Misty Upham, seen on 17 May 2013 Actress Misty Upham appeared in August: Osage County and Django Unchained
A family spokeswoman has confirmed that a body found in a ravine near Seattle is 32-year-old actress Misty Upham.
Upham, known for roles in August: Osage County and Django Unchained, had been missing since 6 October.
Her body was found following a search of the area by friends and family. Her father, Charles Upham, confirmed her identity to the authorities.
The Native American actress was understood to have suffered from bipolar disorder.
Police Commander Steve Stocker said there was presently no evidence or information "to believe there is foul play."
At the time of her disappearance, her father expressed concern that the actress was off her medication and may have been suicidal.
However, film-maker Tracy Rector - a long-time friend and spokesperson for the family, said: "The family has stated that, after seeing the body, they still do not feel that Misty Upham committed suicide."
The body was found by a family member during a search of the area on Thursday. A purse with identification belonging to Upham was reportedly found at the scene.
Misty Upham and Melissa Leo in Frozen River Upham cropped her hair and gained a significant amount of weight to play Lila in Frozen River
Ms Rector suggested there was hostility between local police and the Native American community who live on the Muckleshoot reservation, where Upham had been staying.
"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," she told the Hollywood Reporter.
Actress Juliette Lewis tweeted that Upham "spoke out a lot against injustices within the Native community. And had known enemies. Police must do an investigation".
Lewis later tweeted: "I can't sleep. Too much darkness. I feel so sad about Misty. I know she has more to say. And about how she died."
Upham, who played the housekeeper in the 2013 film August: Osage County with Meryl Streep, bemoaned the fact that, as a Native American, she was typically cast as "a maid, or a prisoner".
She once described herself as "painfully shy".
"When I'm in front of the camera, or talking to people as an actress, and not as myself, it's like I become another person. Somehow possessed with somebody who is worth talking to. Because at home people could care less about what I have to say," she said.
"So, so sad to hear this news — all our thoughts are with her family and with her beautiful spirit," Streep commented to the Hollywood Reporter, on learning of Upham's death.
Upham was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her supporting role as new mum Lila in the 2008 film Frozen River, in which she co-starred with the Oscar-nominated actress Melissa Leo, who called her death "such a loss.".
Animal charity Peta said: "The world will be a colder place without Misty's warm heart, and she will be sorely missed at PETA. She was extremely kind and cared deeply about animals; constantly calling for protection for the bears suffering in roadside zoos on tribal land, a call we will carry forward in her honour."
According to her family, Upham moved to the Seattle area to help care for Mr Upham, who had suffered a stroke. She was reportedly staying on the Muckleshoot reservation, and was last seen walking from an apartment south of Seattle.

Popular posts from this blog

G8 Northern Ireland summit: Syria set to top agenda

Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version David Cameron and Vladimir Putin disagree on Syria but aim to build on "common ground" Continue reading the main story Syria conflict Behind the battle lines The city that died Who is arming whom? Guide to conflict The leaders of the G8 nations are to begin a summit in Northern Ireland, with Syria's conflict set to dominate. UK PM David Cameron met Russian leader Vladimir Putin - Syria's key ally - on Sunday. They will each hold separate talks with President Barack Obama, who has indicated he will arm the rebels. Mr Cameron, the host, is also keen to focus on global economic issues. He hopes to oversee the launch of talks for an EU-US free trade deal and achieve ...

Who are the Niger Delta Avengers?

(Franks.) With a name that sounds like it has come from the pages of a superhero comic book, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is the latest militant group to emerge in Nigeria – attacking oil installations in a campaign which threatens the economy of Africa’s most populous state. “We are a group of educated and well-travelled individuals that are poised to take the Niger Delta struggle to new heights that has never been seen in this nation before,” the NDA proclaimed in one of their first statement’s on their website in April. “We have well-equipped human resources to meet this goal.” It was not an idle threat. The NDA has carried out a barrage of attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta region, causing a huge decline in oil production, which is the mainstay of the West African state’s economy. “The renewed activities of the militants in the Niger Delta are seriously affecting our oil production,” Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun admitted on state-owned NTA tele...

Nigeria won’t succumb to Boko Haram –Dogara 0

(FRANKS..)   From IHEANACHO NWOSU, Abuja Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday expressed wor­ry over mass killing and bombing of churches and mosques by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East. He, however, pledged that the nation would not bow to the insurgents. Dogara, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Me­dia and Public Affairs, Tura­ki Adamu Hassan, said the motive of the terrorist was to instill fear in the minds of Nigerians. He condemned yester­day’s bomb attack on wor­shippers in a church in Potis­kum, Yobe State, describing it as “barbaric, inhuman and wicked.” The Speaker said he was deeply worried over the “new dimension” of mass murder by Boko Haram in­surgents in recent days. He urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the capacity of the state and its security ap­paratus to subdue the insur­gents and bring the violence to an end. Dogara insisted that by embarking on mass killing and destruction of communi­ties, the...