The LA County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner is the busiest coroner’s office in the United States, handling approximately 19,000 cases annually. For over a century, it has been the institution called upon when Los Angeles — the city of dreams — produces nightmares.
What We Cover
LA Coroner Files examines the most notable cases to pass through the LA County Coroner’s Office. From the unsolved murder of the Black Dahlia in 1947 to the contested drowning of Natalie Wood in 1981, these cases sit at the intersection of forensic science, criminal investigation, and the public’s enduring fascination with unresolved death.
We focus on:
- Cold cases — Unsolved murders and suspicious deaths that remain officially open
- The coroner’s role — How forensic evidence shaped investigations, for better and worse
- Historical context — The eras, politics, and personalities behind each case
The Skeletons in the Closet
The LA County Coroner’s Office is perhaps the only morgue in the world with its own gift shop. “Skeletons in the Closet” opened in 1993 at the coroner’s building on North Mission Road, selling merchandise that ranged from body outline beach towels to branded tote bags. The shop became a tourist attraction in its own right — a darkly humorous counterpoint to the serious work conducted inside.
We explore the history and cultural significance of the gift shop and its most iconic items in our Gift Shop section.
About This Site
LA Coroner Files is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with the LA County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.
All case information is drawn from public records, published accounts, and documented sources. Where facts are disputed, we present the competing accounts and let readers draw their own conclusions.