Misty Upham, the 32-year-old actress who went missing in early October, died of blunt force injuries to the head and torso. According to a Seattle Times report the cause of death was announced this week by the King County, Washington Medical Examiner’s Office.
Upham was reported missing by her family on October 6. She was last seen on October 5 walking from her sister’s apartment on the Muckleshoot Reservation near the Seattle suburb of Auburn, Washington. The actress’ family had reported to police on October 4 that Upham was suicidal.
In the week following her disappearance, Upham’s family and Muckleshoot Reservation volunteers launched a search for the young actress. At the time police did not consider Upham’s disappearance suspicious.
On October 16 Upham’s body was found by a member of her family at the bottom of an embankment in a wooded area. Police found no evidence of foul play.
According to the Seattle Times report, Upham’s family said they believe the actress’ death to be accidental. Specifically the family accused local police of mistreating Upham and speculated that she may have been trying to evade the police before she died.
Upham’s family has previously stated that the actress had long suffered from bipolar disorder. Upham was reportedly unable to find effective treatment for her mental illness when she and her family moved to the Seattle area earlier this year.
Upham was an actress who had small roles in movies such as August: Osage County and Django Unchained. She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best supporting female in 2008 for her role in the movie Frozen Rover.
The Northwest Film Forum last month screened showings of August: Osage County and Frozen River as part of its Indigenous Showcase in tribute to Upham.