A Los Angeles County coroner examiner was charged Wednesday for allegedly stealing heirlooms and other items from the dead bodies he was sent to investigate.
Coroner examiner Adrian Munoz, 34, was charged by the California county with one felony count of grand theft of stolen property and one misdemeanor count of petty theft of property almost a year after apparently taking a necklace from a man’s body, a statement from the District Attorney’s office said.
“Everybody knew he had it — he was recognized for it,” the man’s daughter told the Los Angeles Times. A search of the examiner’s desk cubicle turned up rare antique coins that are believed to belong to a man who died in 2022.
“An investigator with the Medical Examiner’s Office holds a position of immense trust and responsibility,” District Attorney Gascon said of the situation. “Their role is not just to unravel the cause of death or help solve potential crimes but also to provide closure and peace to grieving family members. The theft of items, potential family heirlooms and sentimental pieces from the deceased, not only violates this trust but desecrates the memory of a loved one.” (RELATED: District Attorney Offering Shuttle Service For Workers To Avoid Crime Ravaged City)
Gascon called Munoz’s alleged actions a “profound betrayal” of the duty he owed to the deceased and their families. The Department of Medical Examiner is assisting the DA in their investigation. Munoz has been involved in many cases, so it is unclear how many victims he may have at this time, the New York Post noted.