LA County Medical Examiner Advocates for Public Access to Autopsy Records in High-Profile Cases

Dr. Odey Ukpo, the Los Angeles County chief medical examiner, has intensified his push for transparency in death investigations, particularly in cases where court-ordered seals have restricted public access to autopsy findings. His recent statement accompanying the autopsy report of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whom he determined died from stab wounds, marked his most forceful critique yet of secrecy practices that he argues undermine his office’s investigative mission and public trust.

The autopsy report on Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were discovered in a vehicle in the Hollywood Hills, had been sealed during the criminal investigation into singer D4vd, who faces murder charges and pleaded not guilty. Ukpo’s decision to characterize the months-long delay in informing parents of their daughter’s cause of death as “unfathomable” underscores his commitment to establishing clear independence from law enforcement and prosecutorial oversight.

Ukpo’s office determines cause of death in approximately 13,000 sudden, unexpected, and premature cases annually across Los Angeles County. His work has extended to several prominent cases, including the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry, whom he determined died from acute ketamine toxicity, as well as the stabbing deaths of director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, whose autopsy reports remain sealed by court order.

The 46-year-old medical examiner, appointed to his position in 2023 as the agency’s first Black leader since its 1850 founding, has questioned whether withholding autopsy information actually protects investigations. “That goes completely against our mission,” he said during an interview, arguing that disclosing fundamental facts—such as manner and cause of death—helps the public understand vulnerabilities and threats while allowing detectives to verify witness credibility through details known only to perpetrators.

Law enforcement agencies defend security holds as necessary to preserve investigative advantages, contending that certain autopsy details can only be known to those responsible for a death. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated such holds are “rarely requested and carefully reviewed on a case-by-case basis,” while the Los Angeles Police Department and District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on Ukpo’s criticism.

Ukpo’s leadership reflects broader efforts to distinguish the medical examiner’s office from law enforcement structures. Shortly after his 2023 appointment, the title was changed from “medical examiner-coroner” to simply “medical examiner,” a distinction Ukpo supports, noting that coroners are typically elected officials, often sheriffs, rather than physicians, and the dual title confused the office’s independent medical mission.

Criminal defense attorney Andrew Bernstein, based in New York, acknowledged that close working relationships between medical examiners and police can create perceptions of bias that juries detect during testimony. However, he cautioned against excessive independence that disregards legitimate law enforcement and prosecutorial concerns, suggesting balance remains critical to the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Ukpo’s path to forensic pathology began at age six in Anaheim, where he initially aspired to homicide detective work. After observing his family physician’s ability to perform technical work professionally, he recognized forensic pathology as the ideal intersection of hands-on investigation and clinical expertise. His training included rotations at Loyola University in Chicago, the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and the Albuquerque medical examiner’s office.

Throughout his career, Ukpo has performed autopsies on high-profile figures including rapper Mac Miller, actor Tommy Lister Jr., and model Kim Porter. He emphasized that celebrity cases carry particular importance for public health awareness, citing his determination that Matthew Perry’s death resulted from ketamine toxicity as an opportunity to educate communities about the drug’s dangers, while underscoring his overarching commitment to serving the public interest above all other considerations.