LA coroner investigator allegedly stole items, including cash and crucifix necklace, off dead bodies

A coroner investigator in Los Angeles County is facing criminal charges after officials say he stole items off of dead bodies entrusted to his care.

Last January, Miguel Solorio was at Hyland's Naturals warehouse in Los Angeles, doing his job there as he had for the past 10 years. Suddenly, Solorio suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed. Whatever assistance was rendered was unsuccessful, and he passed away at the facility.

Adrian Muñoz, a 34-year-old investigator with the county Department of Medical Examiner, then arrived on the scene to investigate Solorio's death. As he was processing the area and the body, Muñoz allegedly removed a gold crucifix necklace from Solorio, placed the item in a glove, then shoved the glove into his medical bag, actions that were all caught on warehouse surveillance, an unnamed Hyland's employee said.

According to a press release from District Attorney George Gascon, "Muñoz did not return the item or document it in the property receipt."

Solorio's daughter-in-law, Rosalba Solorio, claimed that her father-in-law had worn the crucifix for decades, and though it may not have had much material value, it had tremendous sentimental value to the deceased and his family.

When the family was given Miguel's remains, the necklace was not on him. They then contacted the medical examiner's office, which originally told them that no such item had been found on the body. The office later reached out and said that the necklace had been found and was available for pickup, but when the family went to retrieve it, they discovered that the necklace at the medical examiner's office was not the one that Miguel had worn for so long.

"Everybody knew he had it — he was recognized for it," Rosalba Solorio said about Miguel's crucifix necklace.

The Solorio family alleged that Muñoz had stolen the necklace as well as some cash that Miguel had been carrying in the front pocket of his pants. Surveillance video from the warehouse also allegedly caught Muñoz rifling through Miguel Solorio's pockets, finding the cash, and placing it in a glove, which he hid in his medical bag, just as he had allegedly done with the necklace.

The investigation into the missing necklace and cash led officials to Muñoz's office cubicle. There, they reportedly discovered some antique coins and a receipt for them. The name listed on the receipt corresponded to the name of a man whose deceased body Muñoz processed last November, the DA's press release claimed.

On Wednesday, Muñoz, who has been suspended from his job, was arrested and charged with one felony count of grand theft of property and one misdemeanor count of petty theft of property. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

"We’re happy the investigation didn’t just fall through the cracks," Rosalba Solorio said. "They actually did something about it, and hopefully we’ll see justice for my father-in-law."

Though there is some relief that Muñoz has been arrested, he had been working as a coroner investigator for five years, leading some to wonder whether Muñoz ever stole from other deceased bodies as well. "He’s been involved in many cases," said Kristopher Gay, the deputy district attorney assigned to the case. "How many potential victims there could be I can’t say."

"An investigator with the Medical Examiner’s Office holds a position of immense trust and responsibility,” Gascon said in a statement. “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.

“It’s a profound betrayal of the very essence of the role and the solemn duty owed to both the deceased and their bereaved families.”

Miguel Solorio's gold crucifix necklace has never been recovered.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!