“L.A. Coroner” explores the untold story of the first celebrity coroner and his work on iconic cases from Marilyn Monroe to RFK and Natalie Wood
LOS ANGELES – Anne Soon Choi’s “L.A. Coroner” (Third State Books, April 22, 2025) is a gripping true crime biography of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the controversial “Coroner to the Stars,” whose career intersected with some of the most famous and controversial deaths of the 20th century, including Marilyn Monroe, Robert F. Kennedy and Natalie Wood. It blends Hollywood, celebrity death, Asian American history and Los Angeles history in a feat of exquisite storytelling.
“L.A. Coroner” is the first-ever biography of Dr. Noguchi, the Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner of the County of Los Angeles from 1967 to 1982. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Noguchi conducted the official autopsies of some of the most high-profile personalities of his time. His elaborate press conferences, which often generated more controversy than they did answers, catapulted him into the public eye.
Noguchi was also the inspiration for the popular 1970s-80s television drama “Quincy, M.E.”, starring Jack Klugman. Featuring never-before-published details about Noguchi’s most controversial cases, “L.A. Coroner” is a mesmerizing, meticulously researched true crime biography, set against the backdrop of the racial politics of 1960s and 1970s America and Hollywood celebrity culture.
“L.A. Coroner: Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood Hardcover”
Anne Soon Choi | April 22, 2025 | Third State Books | True Crime / Biography
Hardcover | ISBN 979-8890130075 | $29.95
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Soon Choi, Ph.D., is a historian and author of “L.A. Coroner: Thomas Noguchi and Death in Hollywood.” Her essay “The Japanese American Citizens League, Los Angeles Politics, and the Thomas Noguchi Case,” on which her new book is based, won the 2021 prize for best essay from the Historical Society of Southern California. Choi has previously served on the faculty of Swarthmore College and the University of Kansas and is an Andrew Mellon Fellow and an American Council of Learned Societies Digital Ethnic Studies Fellow. She is currently Assistant Vice President of Faculty Programs at California State University, Northridge. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
In an interview, Anne Soon Choi can discuss:
- Investigating Iconic Deaths – The high-stakes celebrity autopsies of Marilyn Monroe, Robert F. Kennedy, Sharon Tate and the victims of the Charles Manson Family, John Belushi, Natalie Wood and more, which thrust Dr. Thomas Noguchi into the limelight. These cases not only tested his professional mettle but also fed his need for the intense glare of media sensationalism and opened him up to public scrutiny and persistent conspiracy theories.
- A Trailblazing Legacy – Noguchi’s pioneering achievements as America’s first Asian American chief coroner. Despite facing racial prejudice and political pressures in a field dominated by white professionals, he broke barriers and set new standards in forensic science.
- Timely Reflections on Race and Power – How Noguchi’s story can be used as a lens to explore enduring issues of race, the “model minority” myth among Asian Americans, representation and systemic power structures in America.
- A Complex Character Study – The interplay of Noguchi’s ambition, ego and the societal pressures he faced. His pursuit of fame and occasional professional missteps reflect an internal struggle that adds depth to his story.
- A Cultural Lens on Forensics – Noguchi’s career within the vibrant cultural and social fabric of Los Angeles in the 1960s and 1970s, shedding light on how the era shaped his groundbreaking work and public persona.
- Hollywood Meets Forensics – The intersection of Hollywood’s glamour, the gritty realities of forensic science and how Noguchi’s work blurred lines between professional duty and public spectacle.
- Racial Advocacy and Reinvention – Noguchi’s relationship with Los Angeles’ Japanese American community, which rallied for his reinstatement as coroner after his first dismissal in 1969. This movement reflects broader themes of political mobilization and resilience within marginalized communities.
- Our Fascination with True Crime – How Noguchi’s career reflects and feeds America’s growing obsession with true crime, particularly the allure of forensic mysteries and celebrity intrigue.
- Debating Celebrity Deaths – The ongoing controversies surrounding high-profile death investigations, the ethical and procedural challenges they pose and their enduring place in public discourse.
- Balancing Ethics in True Crime – The challenges of crafting a true crime biography that captivates readers while maintaining respect for the victims and avoiding sensationalism in recounting these gripping narratives.
- Hidden Truths – Previously unknown aspects of Noguchi’s life, uncovered through meticulous research, which include personal accounts, archival materials and historical records, offering fresh insights into his extraordinary career.
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