Medical Examiner Challenges Autopsy Secrecy | San Jose News

LA’s new Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Odey Ukpo, is sparking national attention by releasing the autopsy report of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez — stabbed to death — and adding a scathing personal note calling the delay “unfathomable.” His bold move, made during a high-profile murder trial involving singer D4vd, signals a fierce push for transparency and independence from police and prosecutors. Ukpo, who ditched the “coroner” title to emphasize his office’s neutrality, argues autopsy reports should be public ASAP — not sealed — because the perpetrator already knows what they did. He sees public scrutiny as a force for accountability and education, using celebrity cases like Perry’s and Rob Reiner’s to highlight community dangers. While some legal experts warn of alienating law enforcement, Ukpo’s mission is clear: death is a simple fact — the circumstances leading to it deserve full, fearless investigation. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/97f797cdde6e059b