Misty Upham, who appeared in the Oscar-nominated August: Osage County, was found dead back in October. A medical examiner has recently determined that she died of blunt-force injuries to her head and torso.
While the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined Upham’s cause of death, the office has yet to determine exactly how Upham sustained the fatal injuries, reported the Seattle Times.
Upham, 32, died on Oct. 5 and was found 11 days later. Auburn police believe that she died from a fall, landing at the bottom of a wooded embankment, and that there was no foul play involved. Some early reports suggested it could have been a suicide, though the Native American actress’s family has refuted the suggestions.
Upham’s family believes that her death was likely an accident, a result of Upham’s attempt to run away from police. Her family also believes that she had been mistreated by police and that they did not put the full force of their capabilities behind finding her after she was reported missing. The police have contested the allegations.
“The family wants everyone to know that the Auburn police did not help with this situation at all. They refused to help,” Tracy Rector, a friend of Upham’s told The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
Actress Juliette Lewis, who starred alongside Upham in August: Osage County, shared on Twitter her belief that Upham was murdered. In tweets that have since been deleted, Lewis wrote, “#RIPMistyUpham I am in shock and grief. I pray the police do a murder investigation. They’re saying not “foul play” when of course it is,” adding, “Misty told me about horrible violence she suffered on NA reservations She felt she coul be murdered! Bcuz she was vocal #ThisIsNOTaSUICIDE.”
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