Press Releases

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Lucy-Bleu Knight

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Lucy-Bleu Knight 150 150 Medical Examiner

  August 29, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the cause of death for 25-year-old Lucy-Bleu Knight as hydrogen sulfide toxicity. The manner of death is suicide. Ms. Knight was found unresponsive in a private residence on July 19 by law enforcement conducting a welfare check. Death was pronounced…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Milton Teagle Simmons

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Milton Teagle Simmons 150 150 Medical Examiner

  August 22, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for the 76-year-old fitness instructor and television personality Milton Teagle “Richard” Simmons as sequelae of blunt traumatic injuries. Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a contributing condition. The manner of death is accident. It was reported Mr.…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Samuel Rubin

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Samuel Rubin 150 150 Medical Examiner

  July 9, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 64-year-old entertainment journalist Samuel Rubin as ischemic heart disease due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (lethal heartbeat due to lack of blood and oxygen flowing to the heart). The manner of death is natural.…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Francisco Nunez, Jr.

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Francisco Nunez, Jr. 150 150 Medical Examiner

  May 9, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 38-year-old Francisco Nunez, Jr. as the effects of methamphetamine. The manner of death is accident.   At approximately 0845 hours on March 15, Mr. Nunez was found unresponsive on the 44000 block of Division Street…

Transportation, Storage Fees Waived as Part of a Pilot Program at the Department of Medical Examiner

 Transportation, Storage Fees Waived as Part of a Pilot Program at the Department of Medical Examiner 1024 768 Medical Examiner

  March 21, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) is waiving the $400 transportation and storage fees for a 180-day period after unanimous approval on Tuesday by the LA County Board of Supervisors.   In an effort to provide compassion and kindness during a time of great loss and grief,…

Department of Medical Examiner's Statement Regarding Christian Basham

 Department of Medical Examiner's Statement Regarding Christian Basham 150 150 Medical Examiner

  March 15, 2024 – On Feb. 26, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) responded to a death on the 700 block of South Spring Street in Los Angeles. The identity of the decedent was initially believed to be Mark Clemens. Upon further investigation, the decedent’s identity was confirmed by fingerprints…

The Department of Medical Examiner Announces New Email Addresses, Website URL and Position Titles to Reflect New Department Name

 The Department of Medical Examiner Announces New Email Addresses, Website URL and Position Titles to Reflect New Department Name 1024 610 Medical Examiner

  February 29, 2024 – The Department of Medical Examiner (DME) is pleased to announce the official completion of the transition to the new department name, with the deployment of the new department website URL, department email addresses, and position titles. The removal of “coroner” was needed to reinforce the Department’s role as an independent investigative…

Update Regarding George Tyndall Death

 Update Regarding George Tyndall Death 150 150 Medical Examiner

  January 2, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) confirmed its initial determination of the cause of death for George Tyndall as arteriosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with diabetes mellitus type II playing a contributing factor in his death. The manner of death is natural. On October 4, 2023,…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Matthew Langford Perry

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Matthew Langford Perry 150 150 Medical Examiner

  December 15, 2023 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder). The…

Department of Medical Examiner Discovers Pattern of Unhoused Targeted in Murder Cases

 Department of Medical Examiner Discovers Pattern of Unhoused Targeted in Murder Cases 972 682 Medical Examiner

  December 6, 2023 – On Thursday, Nov. 30, medical examiners at the Department of Medical Examiner (DME) noticed a trend of recent cases in which unhoused individuals sleeping on the sidewalk were approached and shot. All three deaths were under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) but involved two separate homicide…

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