The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has finally been able to release autopsy findings in the Celeste Rivas case after what officials describe as an "unfathomable" delay caused by a court order.
Dr. Odey Ukpo, the medical examiner, revealed that his office had determined the 14-year-old's cause and manner of death back on December 9, but was legally prevented from sharing this information with the public or the grieving family until Wednesday.
"After several months, I am grateful this information can now be released, not only to the public, but also to the grieving family enduring loss," Dr. Ukpo stated. "It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter."
The delay stemmed from a court order initiated by the Los Angeles Police Department that blocked the medical examiner from disclosing their findings. Dr. Ukpo emphasized the importance of transparency in such cases, stating that public access to this information serves both accountability and prevention purposes.
"The transparency of the information contained in our findings and reports is essential for empowering the community to make informed changes to effectively reduce fear and allowing the community to take informed action," he added. "Making the Department's information publicly available is not just about accountability, it is about social justice and prevention."
The medical examiner expressed gratitude to partner agencies for taking the necessary legal steps to lift the disclosure restrictions, noting that access to such information strengthens the community's ability to learn from tragedies and prevent future loss of life.
Prominent attorney Mark Geragos has publicly supported the medical examiner's position, commending the push for transparency in the case and criticizing the LAPD's decision to seek the court order that kept the findings sealed for months.