Thomas Noguchi

American forensic pathologist

Thomas Noguchi at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Las Vegas conference 2016

Thomas Tsunetomi Noguchi (born January 4, 1927) is a Japanese-American forensic pathologist known for his work as the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Often referred to as the "Coroner to the Stars," Noguchi gained fame for his involvement in several high-profile death investigations in the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Noguchi was born in Fukuoka, Japan. He moved to the United States in 1952, where he pursued his medical education. Noguchi attended the University of Tokyo before transferring to the University of Southern California (USC), where he completed his residency in pathology.

Career

Los Angeles County Coroner

Noguchi joined the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office in 1961. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner in 1967. During his tenure, Noguchi was involved in the autopsies of several celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Robert F. Kennedy, and John Belushi. His work often attracted media attention, leading to his nickname as the "Coroner to the Stars."

Notable Cases

Marilyn Monroe

Noguchi conducted the autopsy on Marilyn Monroe following her death in 1962. His findings concluded that Monroe's death was a "probable suicide" due to an overdose of barbiturates. The case remains one of the most discussed and controversial celebrity deaths.

Robert F. Kennedy

In 1968, Noguchi performed the autopsy on Robert F. Kennedy after his assassination. His detailed report provided crucial evidence about the trajectory of the bullets and the nature of the wounds, contributing to the investigation of the assassination.

John Belushi

Noguchi was also involved in the autopsy of comedian John Belushi in 1982. The findings indicated that Belushi died of a drug overdose, which was a combination of cocaine and heroin.

Controversies

Noguchi's high-profile cases and his willingness to speak to the media often led to controversies. In 1969, he was temporarily removed from his position as Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner due to administrative issues but was reinstated after public support and a review of the charges against him.

Later Career and Legacy

After leaving the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, Noguchi continued to work in forensic pathology and academia. He served as a professor at the University of Southern California and published several books on forensic science. His contributions to the field have been recognized internationally, and he remains a respected figure in forensic pathology.

Related Pages

• Forensic pathology
• Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner
• Marilyn Monroe
• Robert F. Kennedy
• John Belushi