Key facts
- Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo is pushing for greater transparency in releasing autopsy reports.
- Ukpo criticized the delay in releasing the autopsy of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose death was ruled as stab wounds.
- The autopsy report for Rivas Hernandez was sealed by a court order related to the murder investigation of singer D4vd.
- Ukpo believes sealing autopsy reports does not aid police investigations and goes against his office's mission.
- The LA County Sheriff's Department stated security holds are used to preserve sensitive investigative information.
- Ukpo's title was changed from chief medical examiner-coroner to chief medical examiner to emphasize independence from law enforcement.
Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo is advocating for greater transparency in the release of autopsy reports, particularly in high-profile cases. He expressed frustration over delays and sealed reports, emphasizing his office's independence from law enforcement and prosecutors.
Ukpo's comments came after the release of autopsy results for 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was found in a Tesla. The autopsy, which determined she died from stab wounds, had been sealed by a court order in the murder investigation of singer D4vd. Ukpo stated it was "unfathomable" that her parents had to wait months for the information and that sealing such reports goes against his office's mission.
He also questioned the necessity of sealed autopsy reports in other cases, such as those of director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, who were also reportedly stabbed. Ukpo believes that withholding information does not benefit investigations, as the perpetrator already knows the details of their actions.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department defended the use of security holds, stating they are rarely requested and are carefully reviewed to ensure sensitive investigative information is preserved. They noted that such reports can contain details "that only the person responsible would know," which can help assess witness credibility and uncover false confessions.
Ukpo, who became chief medical examiner in 2023, supported the recent change in his title from chief medical examiner-coroner to chief medical examiner. He explained that the "coroner" title suggested an affiliation with law enforcement, and dropping it helps establish his office's independence. A criminal defense attorney, Andrew Bernstein, acknowledged that while independence is crucial, an examiner should not operate entirely separate from the needs of police and prosecutors.