Ed Winter, the coroner known for handling death cases and investigations of a number of well-known personalities, has passed away. He was 73. Winter, who was posted as the Deputy L.A. County Coroner, died of natural causes at his home on Friday.
He worked in the field for 17 years and investigated the deaths of some of the biggest celebs, including Michael Jackson, Paul Walker, Whitney Houston, Brittany Murphy and Tom Petty. Continue reading to know more about his life and career.
LA Coroner Ed Winter Dies at 73
The news of Winter’s death was first reported by TMZ on Sunday. He was famously known as ‘Coroner to the Stars’ for his high-profile cases. He joined the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office in the early 2000s. In 2009, he made headlines for handling Michael Jackson’s death case.
At the time, Winter raised concerns as he had spotted injection points on the pop star’s body. On visiting the UCLA Medical Center, where the body was kept, the coroner found out that Dr. Conrad Murray had left. “He fled! He was a cardiologist. And all he would’ve had to say is, ‘I’ll sign the death certificate,’” he said in his investigation report.
Winter also found Michael had ‘enough Propofol in him to put down a rhinoceros or an elephant.’ Following his investigation, Dr. Murray was sentenced to four years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.
Ed Winter was also Assigned Whitney Houston and Paul Walker’s Death Cases
Following his success in the Michael Jackson investigation, Winter was tasked to look into Whitney Houston’s death, who suddenly passed away in 2012 moments before Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy party. By that time, the coroner had become so popular that Houston’s family recognized him as soon as he entered the room.
“The detective wanted to introduce me. This short lady that he went to introduce said, ‘This is Ed Winter,’ and she said ‘I know who Ed Winter is,’” Winter revealed in an interview. The woman turned out to be Dionne Warwick.
“Talk about a lady with so much grace and class. She took my hand, held onto it and said, ‘You take good care of Whitney, cause you took care of Michael,’” Winter added. He also handled Paul Walker’s tragic accident case and revealed on TV that the actor ‘died instantly’.
The Coroner had a 17-Year-Long Career
Winter’s first case when he joined the coroner’s office in February 2003 was the death of actress and model Lana Clarkson. It was found out that she was shot dead by record producer Phil Spector.
“She was almost stretched out with just part of her bottom on the edge of the chair. You don’t sit that way. No body sits that way, whether you’re shooting yourself or not,” Winter reported at the time. In December 2019, he retired from the office after almost 17 years of service.
A number of people who remembered the coroner for his investigations paid their condolences on social media. “Remember him from the Michael Jackson death investigation. He was very professional. Rest In Peace,” tweeted a user.
Our condolences to Ed Winter’s family and friends. May his soul rest in peace!
