Full Breakdown
Allegations of Misconduct at San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office
2/11/2026, 2:29:03 PM
Overview of the Incident
A lawsuit filed by Sonia Kominek-Adachi against David Serrano Sewell, the executive director of San Francisco’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, alleges that he improperly discarded a human skull essential for identifying an unidentified corpse. The incident reportedly occurred during a rushed clean-up ahead of an inspection in January 2023, when Serrano Sewell allegedly threw the skull in the trash, leading to significant consequences for Kominek-Adachi, who reported the incident.
Details of the Lawsuit
Kominek-Adachi's lawsuit, filed on February 2, 2026, claims that the skull belonged to a man found dead near a homeless encampment in October 2014. The skull was encased in a clay cast for facial reconstruction efforts, and its disposal hindered the identification process of the remains, which is legally required. After she reported the missing skull, Kominek-Adachi alleges that Serrano Sewell retaliated against her by promoting a hostile work environment, including subjecting her to an extensive background check and a polygraph test.
Allegations of Misconduct
The lawsuit also outlines a pattern of alleged misconduct by Serrano Sewell, including inappropriate treatment of Kominek-Adachi based on her gender and the use of racial slurs. Specific comments attributed to him include derogatory remarks about women and suggestions that they should "know their place." Additionally, the suit claims that Serrano Sewell interfered with a public investigation regarding the cause of death of a San Francisco supervisor’s stepson and altered documents related to the office's accreditation.
Impact on Kominek-Adachi's Career
Following the incident and her subsequent complaints, Kominek-Adachi faced termination from her position, which was initially attributed to budget cuts. However, the city later cited her alleged "undue influence" in a separate consumer affairs complaint against a funeral home as a reason for her dismissal. Her attorney, James Urbanic, emphasized that the termination has severely impacted her career prospects in the medical examiner's office.
Settlement and Official Responses
On February 7, 2026, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors moved to settle Kominek-Adachi's lawsuit for $750,000. Jen Kwart, communications director for the San Francisco Attorney’s Office, stated that the proposed settlement was deemed appropriate considering the costs associated with continued litigation. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Serrano Sewell did not respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
Broader Implications
The case highlights ongoing issues within the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, particularly regarding the handling of unidentified remains. From 2020 to 2023, the city reported 1,487 unidentified or unclaimed individuals, raising concerns about the office's operational effectiveness and adherence to legal requirements for identifying human remains.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The skull was a critical element in the [office’s] ability to identify [the remains]. Without the skull, further identification procedures could not be completed,” — Sonia Kominek-Adachi, Plaintiff
- “Yes, it was about her termination and what she went through, but she was also fighting against the city, using bureaucracy against its employees.” — James Urbanic, Attorney for Kominek-Adachi
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the lawsuit presents serious allegations against Serrano Sewell, there has been no official response from him or the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner regarding the specific claims made by Kominek-Adachi. Additionally, the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the skull and the timeline of events remain unclear.
