Police searching for Django Unchained actress find body

Police in the US believe they have found the body of missing actress Misty Upham, known for her roles in August: Osage County and Django Unchained.

A woman’s body was found in a ravine near the White River in Washington state, Auburn police spokesman Steve Stocker said. Items with Upham’s name on them were found nearby.

Officials were waiting for the medical examiner to make a positive identification and determine the cause of death, Mr Stocker said.

A family friend found the body while a group of friends and family were searching in the area.

The 32-year-old Native American actress was reported missing by her family on October 6, a day after they told police she was suicidal.

Her father, Charles Upham, told KIRO-FM his daughter was upset and erratic and had stopped taking medication for anxiety and bipolar disorder.

The family said Upham had moved to the Seattle area to help care for her father, who is recovering from a stroke. She had been staying on the Muckleshoot reservation.

The founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Ingrid E Newkirk expressed her sorrow at the news.

“The world will be a colder place without Misty's warm heart, and she will be sorely missed at PETA,” she said.

“She was extremely kind and cared deeply about animals; constantly calling for protection for the bears suffering in roadside zoos on tribal land, a call we will carry forward in her honour.

“It's a tragedy whenever anyone dies before their time, but Misty Upham was a friend to us and to animals everywhere.”