Episode Details

Dr. Odey Ukpo, LA County’s new Chief Medical Examiner, is sparking national debate by demanding transparency in autopsy reports — even in high-profile murder cases like that of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was found in a Tesla. He calls the months-long delay in releasing her autopsy — which revealed stab wounds, not drugs or natural causes — “unfathomable,” especially for grieving parents. Ukpo argues that sealing reports undermines the public’s right to know and hinders investigations, since perpetrators already have the answers. He’s pushing for his office’s independence from law enforcement, citing cases like Rob Reiner’s and his wife’s — stabbed by their son — which remain under court seal despite clear findings. Since taking over in 2023, Ukpo sees these cases as chances to spotlight his office’s vital role and warn the public about hidden dangers — all while building trust through openness.

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