There's a reason why I will always support a strong arts education in schools.

It's because art in all its forms, music, photography, painting, dance,

is such an important outlet of not only emotion, but intellect.

Art is a form of love, of protest, of identity, and of culture.

I'm in awe of those who create art in a variety of forms, not only for

their vision, but also for their talent. The victim at the center of our case this week was such a

talented artist, and it was art and the supportive community that is so often bred from art

that were driving passions in his life.

So when he disappeared at such a successful time in his life, those close to him knew that foul play was involved,

even though law enforcement seemed to believe otherwise. This is the case of Lopez Richardson.

Music This is the case of Lopez Richardson. Welcome to coffee and cases where we like our coffee and cases where we like our coffee hot and our cases cold. My name is Allison Williams.

And my name is Maggie Damran. We will be telling stories each week in the hopes that someone

out there with any information concerning the cases will take those tips to law enforcement

so justice and

closure can be brought to these families with each case we encourage you to continue in the

conversation on our facebook page coffee in cases podcast because as we all know conversation

helps to keep the missing person in the public consciousness helping keep their memories alive

so sit back sip your coffee and listen to what's brewing this week.

Maggie, Lopez Richardson was more than just a name on a missing person's report.

As I alluded to in the introduction, he was a man whose life resonated with creativity and compassion.

Lopez Richardson called either Lowe or most often Paz by his friends was born on April 18th, 1989. So he's like my age. From a young age, Lopaz embraced art as his voice, capturing the world's beauty through his paintings.

And when I tell you how talented he was, Maggie, I do not use that word lightly.

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