local
L.A. medical examiner pushes for greater transparency in high-profile deaths
Summary by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Andrew Dalton | The Associated Press , NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 20, 2026
· 6 min read
Autopsy reports rarely come with barbed comments. So eyebrows rose when the autopsy results of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were released with a statement from the Los Angeles County chief medical examiner saying it was “unfathomable” her grieving parents had to wait months to learn how th...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Andrew Dalton | The Associated Press, NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway The autopsy performed on the dismembered body found in a Tesla in the Hollywood Hills had been sealed by a court order in the investigation that led to murder charges for singer D4vd .
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The Los Angeles County chief medical examiner's push for greater transparency in high-profile deaths has significant implications for the local community. By speaking out against the sealing of autopsy reports, Dr. Odey Ukpo is advocating for the public's right to know the circumstances surrounding tragic events. This is particularly relevant in cases like the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, where the community is still grappling with the aftermath. The medical examiner's office plays a crucial role in providing accurate and timely information, which can help to alleviate speculation and misinformation. Furthermore, Ukpo's commitment to transparency can also inform the community about potential dangers and vulnerabilities, such as those that contributed to Rivas Hernandez's death. As the preliminary hearing for D4vd approaches, the community will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds, and the medical examiner's office will likely remain at the center of the conversation.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 6 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Autopsy reports rarely come with barbed comments. So eyebrows rose when the autopsy results of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were released with a statement from the Los Angeles County chief medical examiner saying it was “unfathomable” her grieving parents had to wait months to learn how th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrew Dalton | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter