Though he’s often given short shrift in many discussions of forensic science, his work will be a foundational influence on the genre for decades to come. His music has influenced celebrity culture in disturbing ways. His career stretches back over three decades and includes a long list of high-profile cases. These cases have put him in the national spotlight and changed the face of death investigations across America.
Investigative jack-of-all trades Noguchi, dubbed “the coroner to the stars” won notoriety for his meticulous autopsies. He performed autopsies on pop culture legends such as Marilyn Monroe, Sharon Tate and John Belushi. He was the first to do an autopsy on Monroe, an experience that comprehensively “paralyzed him in disbelief.” This watershed case laid the groundwork for his later high-profile work, changing the way we think about and how media cover celebrity deaths.
In March of 1982, Noguchi performed the autopsy on the body of John Belushi after the comedian’s tragic overdose. He was the first to point to drugs as the primary factor in Belushi’s death. “I think we have a drug overdose,” he said, a determination that resulted in the arrest of Belushi’s drug dealer, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for Belushi’s death. His findings were instrumental in changing how the public views drug-related celebrity deaths.
Beyond Belushi, Noguchi’s work with other luminaries helped make him notorious. He oversaw and performed autopsies of famous crimes like that of Sharon Tate who was killed by the Manson Family. His extensive research work sometimes gave police the one crucial piece of information needed. Anne Soon Choi, a former deputy district attorney, noted that Noguchi’s findings “would be needed to bring Sirhan Sirhan, who was apprehended at the scene, to justice,” further emphasizing his significant role in high-profile murder investigations.
As the Los Angeles Police Department likes to joke, it’s the beginning of any death investigation that is always a treat—the “Noguchi Show.” This moniker emphasizes his deadly impact on police and journalists alike. His autopsies often led to revelations that shifted narratives surrounding celebrity deaths and raised public awareness about issues like substance abuse.
For all of Noguchi’s enormous contributions, he had a difficult career, full of challenges. In 1982 he was reigned in and given the title “physician specialist,” following public outcry and pushback against some of his findings and practices. He voluntarily retired in 1999. At 98 years of age, he decided not to retire and continued to serve as a teacher and mentor in the field of forensic science. Though he’s still engaged, he has shied away from the flames of the media circus.
Noguchi’s approach transcended routine forensic examinations. He believed that “the job of the medical examiner is to just talk straight and to tell it like it is.” This philosophy guided him in handling difficult-to-investigate cases with a professionalism that valued public input while maintaining transparency. He acknowledged the risks associated with his candidness: “I would not only be fired, I would be assassinated,” he remarked, reflecting on the pressures of his role.
His legacy goes deeper than any individual case. He was instrumental in changing how the American public considers the tragedy of celebrity deaths. By moving beyond mere physical examination into public discourse, Noguchi became a trailblazer in forensic science. His efforts became a useful roadmap to subsequent coroners. It also functioned as a “playbook for what not to do,” as Choi explained.
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