Press Releases

UPDATE | Medical Examiner Fire-Related Deaths

 UPDATE | Medical Examiner Fire-Related Deaths 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

January 10, 2025 – The below information contains cases reported to the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) and are still under investigation by the Department. The DME cannot confirm human remains until after the DME processes them at our facility. Case updates will occur in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. Here are…

Medical Examiner’s Response to Ongoing Wildfires in LA County

 Medical Examiner’s Response to Ongoing Wildfires in LA County 972 682 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

January 9, 2025 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner is working with local law enforcement and fire departments to respond to reported fatalities due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County.   The Department of Medical Examiner received notification of 10 fire-related deaths as of 9 p.m. on January 9. The…

Pilot Program Waiving Transportation, Storage Fees Becomes Permanent After Board Approval

 Pilot Program Waiving Transportation, Storage Fees Becomes Permanent After Board Approval 1024 768 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

  January 7, 2025 – The next of kin for decedents seen by the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) will not be charged transportation and storage fees the DME announced today after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to permanently waive the $400 fees. “Charging families who lost…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Josiah and Jestine James

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Josiah and Jestine James 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

  September 26, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the cause of death for 3-year-old twin boys Josiah and Jestine James as fentanyl toxicity. The manner of death is accident. On July 11, Josiah and Jestine were discovered unresponsive in their bed and transported to a local hospital. Death…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Seth Binzer

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Seth Binzer 150 150 County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner

  September 24, 2024 – The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner determined the cause of death for 49-year-old singer-songwriter Seth Brooks Binzer as the effects of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. The manner of death is accident.   Mr. Binzer was found unresponsive at a residence on June 24 and death was pronounced at…

Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Lucy-Bleu Knight

 Cause and Manner of Death Determined for Lucy-Bleu Knight 150 150 County of Los Angeles 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 County of Los Angeles 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 County of Los Angeles 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 County of Los Angeles 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 County of Los Angeles 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,…