A distinguished Japanese-American forensic pathologist, his career combined medical expertise, involvement in high-profile celebrity cases, and a significant impact on the development of forensic medicine. His name became widely known after performing the autopsy on Marilyn Monroe and was also linked to the death of Senator Robert F. Kennedy—cases that generated numerous debates and conspiracy theories. Beyond the era of scandals, Noguchi remained a respected specialist, a professor at both USC and UCLA, and the president of international medical organizations. More at i-los-angeles.
Biography
Thomas Noguchi was born in Japan and grew up in the city of Yokosuka. In 1951, he graduated from Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, after which he interned at the University of Tokyo School of Medicine Hospital. Noguchi soon immigrated to the United States, where he completed a second internship at Orange County General Hospital and a series of residencies at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and the Barlow Sanatorium in Los Angeles. This education laid the foundation for his future career in forensic pathology.
In 1961, Noguchi began working at the Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner’s (CME) office. His name became widely known after performing the autopsy on Marilyn Monroe, which attracted significant media and public attention.
In 1967, Noguchi was appointed Chief Medical Examiner of Los Angeles County by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors, despite opposition from the Los Angeles County Medical Association and the leadership of the medical schools at UCLA and USC. He inherited the position from his mentor, Theodore Curphey, and would go on to perform autopsies on many famous individuals, including John Belushi, Albert Dekker, William Holden, David Janssen, Janis Joplin, Sharon Tate, and Natalie Wood.
The Marilyn Monroe Case
Of all the autopsies Dr. Noguchi performed, one remains the most sensational and most debated, even half a century later: the death of Marilyn Monroe. On August 5, 1962, a young deputy coroner named Thomas Noguchi arrived at work, having no idea he was about to face the case that would define his career. The 36-year-old actress’s body had been found the night before in her Los Angeles home. She was lying naked, face down, with a telephone receiver in her hand. Nearby stood empty pill bottles. Overwhelmed with daily autopsies, Noguchi had no time for emotion. But when he lifted the white sheet to begin the examination, it momentarily took his breath away. Even in death, Marilyn was beautiful.
The external examination showed no signs of violence. Noguchi then made the Y-incision, carefully removed the internal organs, and meticulously checked each one. There were no traces of blood, trauma, or pill residue in the stomach. A toxicology analysis revealed a lethal dose of barbiturates in her blood—a sleeping medication that, in large quantities, causes respiratory depression. After completing the investigation, the official conclusion was determined: acute barbiturate poisoning due to an overdose. Probable suicide.
Yet, even decades after the tragedy, Monroe’s death remains one of the most debated of the 20th century. Every year, when the world marks the anniversary of her death, Thomas Noguchi’s name is back in the headlines. Some sensationalist publications even claimed Dr. Noguchi falsified the autopsy results to cover for powerful people. For a scientist who had dedicated his life to accuracy and transparency, such accusations were deeply humiliating. However, he never wavered from his findings.
Noguchi also became famous for the autopsy of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, which determined that the fatal shot entered the back of the head, behind the right ear, at an upward angle, from a distance of 15 to 75 millimeters (about 0.5 to 3 inches). This sparked numerous conspiracy theories, as eyewitnesses claimed the gunman was at least three feet (one meter) away. Noguchi noted in his memoirs that he never officially determined who fired the fatal shot.
The Marilyn Monroe and Robert F. Kennedy cases became the two most high-profile episodes in Thomas Noguchi’s career. They highlighted how the fragile line between medicine, politics, and fame could turn a doctor into a national figure—a man who holds the final word in cases where the public is looking for a sensation, not the truth.
Resignation from Office
After this, he found himself under pressure and submitted his resignation. Furthermore, an office secretary reported that Noguchi had expressed a desire to “vivisect” the county’s chief administrative officer. Noguchi attempted to withdraw his resignation, but the Board of Supervisors rejected his request. His wife accused the county of racial discrimination, while Noguchi himself faced accusations of racism from CME employees. After a rally of support from the Japanese-American community in Los Angeles, Noguchi was reinstated.
During his second term, he was criticized for being too open with the media, particularly after the deaths of William Holden and Natalie Wood in November 1981. Allegations of mismanagement led to Noguchi’s demotion from coroner to a specialist physician in 1982. His initial ruling on Natalie Wood’s death as an accident was later revised by subsequent experts, and a former intern of Noguchi’s, Michael Franco, claimed he had noticed bruises on the actress’s body that were not reflected in the official report.
Later Career and Awards
After his service with the CME, Noguchi became the chief of pathology at USC and an administrative pathologist at LAC+USC Medical Center. He was given the title of professor at both USC and UCLA and also served as president of the American National Association of Medical Examiners.
In 1999, the Emperor of Japan awarded Noguchi the Order of the Sacred Treasure for his outstanding contributions to forensic medicine. He retired that same year. From 2010 to 2022, Noguchi served as president of the World Association for Medical Law (WAML), an organization that promotes the development of medical law, legal medicine, and bioethics. He was also a character in the Broadway musical “Dead Outlaw,” where he was portrayed by actor Tom Sesma.
Books and Publications
Dr. Thomas Noguchi, known as the “coroner to the stars,” left a significant mark not only in forensic practice but also in literature. His books became a window into the world of high-profile Hollywood death investigations and the history of forensic medicine in the United States.
In 1983, he published his memoir “Coroner,” co-written with Joseph DiMona. The book, released in the UK as “Coroner to the Stars,” immediately gained popularity for its candid descriptions of the most sensational cases Noguchi handled in his career. Two years later, his second work, “Coroner at Large” (1985), was published, in which the author explores the history of forensic experts and shares unique cases from his practice that changed the perception of a coroner’s work. Noguchi later turned to fiction, co-authoring two detective novels with Arthur Lyons: “Unnatural Causes” (1988) and “Physical Evidence” (1990). In these works, he combined his professional experience with elements of a thriller.
Thomas Noguchi left a controversial but significant legacy in the field of forensic medicine. His work on celebrity cases, contributions to the development of pathology, and involvement in international medico-legal organizations make him one of the key figures in 20th-century American forensic medicine. His life combined scientific achievements, controversy surrounding high-profile cases, and an active public stance, which continues to fascinate historians and researchers to this day. Tags: Hollywood’s Coroner – Thomas Noguchi