Dec. 18, 2020
Next month, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner will conduct an inquest into the death of Fred Williams. This is the department’s second inquest in more than 30 years.
Retired Justice Candace Cooper has again been appointed as the hearing officer, and on Jan. 28, 2021, she will administer the inquest in the death of Mr. Williams to determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of his death. This will be the second inquest held recently in Los Angeles County. An inquest in the death of Andres Guardado Pineda was held on Nov. 30, 2020.
As with the previous inquest, this proceeding supports the department's mission and purpose to provide independent, evidence-based death investigations, addresses the public’s interest in the death, and is in accord with a motion approved by the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 27, 2020.
Mr. Williams died Oct. 16, 2020 as a result of a Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy-involved shooting.
The department will subpoena relevant witnesses to testify and documents to present at the inquest. After hearing testimony, the hearing officer will make findings related to the cause and manner of death.
The hearing officer will then forward her decision and recommendation to the Medical Examiner-Coroner.
This inquest will be public, in adherence with Public Health guidelines and protocols.
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Media Contact:
Sarah Ardalani
Public Information Officer
(323) 343-0783
Follow the department's official Twitter page @lacountymec.