Body found in Auburn believed to be that of missing actress; police say no evidence of foul play



AUBURN, Wash. -- A body discovered near a river in Auburn is believed to be that of "August: Osage County" actress Misty Upham. No evidence of foul play was found, police said.

Her family reported the 32-year-old actress missing over a week ago. Loved ones have spent several days searching for her in the area where she disappeared.

"She was just a giving loving person, she loved her family," said sister Amanda Upham. "She suffered in the last few years with anxiety and stuff and it made her a different person on medication."



Auburn Police received a call Thursday afternoon that a search team had found a body in a wooded area near Forest Ridge Drive in Auburn.

"The body was found at the bottom of a 150 (foot) embankment near the White River," Auburn police Cmdr. Steve Stocker said in a news release issued late Thursday afternoon.

He added that the body was found by a family member of Upham's who was in the area searching for her.

"A purse containing identification of Misty Upham was at the scene," Stocker said. "However, at this time the medical examiner has not made a positive identification nor a determination of cause of death."

Stocker issued a release later Thursday night that said the body was recovered and turned over to the medical examiner's office -- and that police "do not have any evidence or information to believe there is foul play."

"We do not know the cause of death, as that will be determined by the medical examiner," he added.

Upham was reported missing by her family Oct. 6. Family members wish police did more after the actress was first reported missing.

"Somebody should have acted quicker to respond to go look for her. Maybe she could still be here with us," said relative Robert Upham.

Upham was last seen Oct. 5 walking from her sister's apartment in Muckleshoot, Wash., according to a statement sent to media outlets by her father, Charles Upham.


Her father said she has bipolar disorder and bouts of depression and anxiety, but didn't think she was suicidal.

Upham had small roles in "Django Unchained" and "August: Osage County," and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her performance in 2008's "Frozen River." She's also had roles in the TV series "Big Love" and the TV movie "Skinwalkers."

"She was a very determined actress and very talented," said Robert Upham.

She was currently shooting a film called "Crawlspace," according to the Internet Movie Database.




CNN contributed to this report.