Press Releases

Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Transitions to a New Case Management System; Impacts to Services May Occur

 Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Transitions to a New Case Management System; Impacts to Services May Occur 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

April 21, 2023 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner (DMEC) will be deploying a new case management system beginning April 24 to replace the 20-year-old legacy system that no longer meets business needs.   During the migration, the Case Search function on DMEC’s website will be unavailable from 5 a.m. to…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Aaron Charles Carter

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Aaron Charles Carter 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

April 18, 2023 – The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner determined the cause of death for 34-year-old singer Aaron Charles Carter as drowning due to the effects of difluoroethane (aerosol propellant found in spray cans) and alprazolam (commonly referred to as Xanax).   On the morning of November 5, 2022, Mr. Carter was…

Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner

 Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner 1024 577 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Dr. Odey C. Ukpo Appointed as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner On March 7, 2023, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed Dr. Odey C. Ukpo as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner to lead one of the most prominent medical examiner’s offices in the nation. Dr. Ukpo is the first African American to serve as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner…

Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Releases Statement Underscoring Independent Approach to Death Investigations

 Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Releases Statement Underscoring Independent Approach to Death Investigations 1024 682 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

(en Español) March 1, 2023 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner released the following statement in response to assertions made based on a new report by UCLA’s Biocritical Studies Lab:  While the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner (DMEC) appreciates efforts to bring attention to the important topic of in-custody deaths, our department…

Monterey Park mass shooting victims identified

 Monterey Park mass shooting victims identified 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Jan. 24, 2023 - In the late evening of Jan. 22, eleven people were killed when a gunman entered a Monterey Park dance studio and fatally shot six women and five men.

DMEC Addresses "Evaluating the Autopsies of 59 Deaths in Los Angeles County Jails, 2009-2019" Report - UPDATE

 DMEC Addresses "Evaluating the Autopsies of 59 Deaths in Los Angeles County Jails, 2009-2019" Report - UPDATE 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

June 1, 2022 - The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner released the following statement on findings released today by UCLA’s BioCritical Studies Labs regarding in-custody deaths.

Inquest Findings Released in the Deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera Jr. and Dana Young Jr.

 Inquest Findings Released in the Deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera Jr. and Dana Young Jr. 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Jan. 28, 2022 - Retired Justice Candace Cooper submitted her findings.

MEDIA ADVISORY: ME-C to Conduct Inquests in the Deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera, Jr., and Dana Young, Jr.

 MEDIA ADVISORY: ME-C to Conduct Inquests in the Deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera, Jr., and Dana Young, Jr. 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Dec. 13, 2021 - In partnership with the honorable Justice Candace Cooper, DMEC will conduct inquests in the deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera, Jr., and Dana Young, Jr.

Medical Examiner-Coroner to Conduct Inquests in the Deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera, and Dana Young, Jr.

 Medical Examiner-Coroner to Conduct Inquests in the Deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera, and Dana Young, Jr. 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Nov. 5, 2021 - Retired Justice Candace Cooper has been appointed as the hearing officer who will preside over the inquests to determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of their deaths.

The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner reopens facility to the public

 The Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner reopens facility to the public 1024 682 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

Oct. 1, 2021 - Due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department is enforcing strict health protocols to maintain staff and visitor safety.