Suspect Arrested in Recent Point Dume Headlands Attempted Sexual Assault

• Family of Mitrice Richardson Wants Man Questioned about Her Disappearance

BY ANNE SOBLE

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies have arrested a suspect in the attempted sexual assault of a Malibu woman who was jogging in Point Dume State Park.

The suspect, who bears a strong resemblance to the LASD composite circulated after the attack, is Christian Marcus Verdin, 31. He was arrested Friday, April 2, in San Bernardino County.

Deputies reported that Verdin was arrested after his DNA was matched with material found at the crime scene. Fingernail scrapings from the victim who vigorously fought off her attacker helped to provide the sample.

The attempted sexual assault took place midday on March 12. According to the LASD report, the 35-year-old local resident had just finished jogging on the headlands when a man grabbed her from behind and attempted to rape her.

The woman said she was able to fight off her attacker and escape by jumping/sliding over the side of a bluff to safety.

Sheriff’s deputies said the suspect did not follow the woman, but stole her Toyota Land Cruiser and fled the scene. The vehicle remains missing.

The victim was treated at a hospital for cuts and bruises sustained during the assault.

 Verdin is described as a known drug user and reportedly is on parole for burglary. As a result  of the felony conviction, a DNA sample was taken and entered into the database system.

In related news, Latice Sutton, the mother of 24-year-old Mitrice Richardson who has been missing for over six months, sent an email to Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Captain Joseph Stephen Jr., expressing the view that “Christian Marcus Verdin, who is in your custody, could have information regarding my daughter. I am strongly requesting that Christian Marcus Verdin be investigated in the disappearance of Mitrice.”

Sutton said, “We know he is a recently released (2009) convicted felon, living among the homeless (goon squad) in Malibu.” 

She added, “It’s not unreasonable to suspect that this predator has information regarding, and/or knows the whereabouts of my daughter.”