LA County coroner investigator snatched heirlooms from dead bodies: DA

A Los Angeles County coroner examiner was busted Wednesday for allegedly snatching trinkets — including a crucifix — from the dead bodies he was tasked with investigating, officials said.

Adrian Muñoz, 34, was charged with one felony count of grand theft of property and one misdemeanor count of petty theft of property nearly a year after he allegedly stole the Christian necklace from its recently deceased owner.

“In the case of the medical examiner, the role is not only to investigate and try to determine the cause of death when people die in our county, but it’s also to provide closure to the families of people that are in this very difficult moment,” LA County District Attorney George Gascón said during a press conference.

“Protecting the sanctity of this process is trusted upon us public servants to make sure that we’re serving the public and when that trust is violated it erodes the credibility of an entire system.”

Muñoz allegedly plucked the gold crucifix necklace off the neck of a man who suffered a fatal heart attack while working in a southern Los Angeles warehouse.

Surveillance footage showed Muñoz slip the necklace into his medical bag, leaving the man’s family wondering where the beloved piece of jewelry went, investigators said.

“Everybody knew he had it — he was recognized for it,” the man’s daughter-in-law told the Los Angeles Times, adding that the chain had more sentimental value than monetary value.

The coroner investigator also swiped cash from the front pocket of the man’s pants, which he also hid inside his bag, the grieving family alleged.

The reported theft led investigators to search Muñoz’s county desk cubicle, where they found a treasure trove of stolen heirlooms.

Amongst the stash, officials found rare antique coins with a receipt in the name of a man whose November 2022 death Muñoz had responded to, prosecutors said.

Kristopher Gay, the deputy district attorney handling the case, said additional thefts could be brought to light in the coming weeks.

“He’s been involved in many cases,” he said at the news conference. “How many potential victims there could be I can’t say.”

Muñoz worked for the Department of Medical Examiner since 2018 and earned more than $100,000 after overtime pay in 2022, online records show.

He spent the three years prior to joining the department as a deputy public conservator for the Treasurer and Tax Collector.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said he was “very disappointed” and had suspended Muñoz Tuesday.

“That will undoubtedly be a distraction to the hard work that my staff do each day,” Ukpo said. “With the high caseload that they endure the work that they do is truly remarkable.”

Muñoz faces three years in prison if convicted.