Key facts
- LA Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo is pushing for more transparency in high-profile death investigations.
- Ukpo stated his office's independence from police and prosecutors.
- He criticized the delay in releasing autopsy results for a 14-year-old victim in a murder investigation.
- Ukpo believes autopsy information can be released without compromising investigations.
- The LA County Sheriff's Department stated security holds on reports are rare and reviewed case-by-case.
- Ukpo supported removing 'coroner' from his title to underscore independence.
Los Angeles Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo is advocating for increased transparency in high-profile death investigations, emphasizing his office's independence from law enforcement and prosecutors. Ukpo expressed frustration over delays in releasing autopsy results, citing the case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose autopsy findings were sealed by court order during the murder investigation of singer D4vd.
Ukpo stated that his office's mission is to disclose as much information as possible about deaths promptly. He believes that releasing autopsy details, such as the cause of death being stab wounds in the Rivas Hernandez case, does not compromise investigations, as the perpetrator is aware of their actions. He also noted that his office determines the cause of death but does not use terms like 'overdose' on death certificates.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department indicated that security holds on autopsy reports are rare and are carefully reviewed case-by-case to ensure sensitive investigative information is not compromised. They stated these reports can contain details only the perpetrator would know, aiding in assessing witness credibility and identifying false confessions.
Since his appointment in 2023, Ukpo has supported changes to his title, removing 'coroner' to better reflect his office's role as a medical entity separate from law enforcement. He believes the term 'coroner' can be confusing and suggest an affiliation with law enforcement agencies. A defense attorney commented that close relationships can form between medical examiners and police, which juries might perceive.