New facts emerge in Misty Upham case

Washington State Medical Examiner reports.

by Anne-Katrin Titze

Misty Upham with Arnaud Desplechin on the set of Jimmy P: Psychotherapy Of A Plains Indian
Misty Upham with Arnaud Desplechin on the set of Jimmy P: Psychotherapy Of A Plains Indian

Misty Upham, who played pivotal roles in Arnaud Desplechin's Jimmy P: Psychotherapy Of A Plains Indian (starring Benicio Del Toro opposite Mathieu Amalric) and in August: Osage County (directed by John Wells with Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson, Juliette Lewis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor, Margo Martindale, Sam Shepard and Dermot Mulroney) was reported missing on October 6, 2014. Her body was discovered by her family in a ravine at the bottom of a 150 foot drop on October 16 in the Seattle suburb of Auburn.

Arnaud Desplechin and co-screenwriter Kent Jones sent tributes for Misty on October 17 after hearing the news of her death.

Now, seven weeks later, the Medical Examiner's office of King County in Washington State on Wednesday, December 3, stated that Misty Upham, at the age of 32, died from blunt-force injuries to her head and torso. At this time, the manner of Misty's death remains inconclusive.

In August: Osage County, Upham plays an anchor in a raging storm and has one of the most chivalrous and applause deserving scenes. In Jimmy P: Psychotherapy Of A Plains Indian she gives a stirring portrayal of Jane, Jimmy Picard's love interest. Her breakthrough performance came in Courtney Hunt's 2007 Frozen River, which also starred Melissa Leo.

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