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Los Angeles medical examiner pushes for greater transparency in high-profile deaths
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Andrew Dalton, Associated Press , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 20, 2026
· 6 min read
Autopsy reports rarely come with barbed comments. So eyebrows rose when the autopsy results of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were released with a statement from the Los Angeles County chief medical examiner saying it was “unfathomable” her grieving parents had to wait months to learn how th...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Andrew Dalton, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway The autopsy performed on the dismembered body found in a Tesla in the Hollywood Hills had been sealed by a court order in the investigation that led to murder charges for singer D4vd .
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The push for greater transparency in high-profile deaths by the Los Angeles medical examiner has implications for San Antonio, where the community has faced its own share of prominent and puzzling cases. While the specifics of the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case may seem far removed from Bexar County, the underlying issues of autopsy report secrecy and police investigation protocols are relevant to local residents who expect accountability and information in similar situations. As the chief medical examiner in Los Angeles advocates for the release of death information, San Antonio's own medical examiner and law enforcement agencies may face increased scrutiny over their handling of sensitive cases, potentially leading to changes in how they balance the need for investigation secrecy with the public's right to know. This development bears watching, as it could ultimately impact how San Antonio's authorities approach death investigations and transparency in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Autopsy reports rarely come with barbed comments. So eyebrows rose when the autopsy results of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were released with a statement from the Los Angeles County chief medical examiner saying it was “unfathomable” her grieving parents had to wait months to learn how th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Andrew Dalton, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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