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Controversy Surfaces in Investigation of Death of Jeff Adachi

Jeff Adachi
Photo from JD Lasica via Flickr Creative Commons

Critical questions are being asked about the investigation into the death of longtime San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi-even as tributes continue to pour in to AsAmNews about his life and career.

ABC7 reported exclusively that Adachi tried to fire the man overseeing the investigation into his death just three weeks ago.

“There’s insinuations that someone could have had access to the scene, and could’ve changed things. Well, maybe Mr. Wiroweck had access to the scene previously, maybe that wasn’t the first time he was there that night,” said Danielle Harris with the SF Public Defender’s Office to ABC7.

Wiroweck is Christopher Wiroweck, the Director of Operations at the Medical Examiner’s office.

Wirowek himself was under fire for lying about his office’s accreditation with the National Association of Medical Examiners which was lost a year earlier.

“I’ve had a lot of cases over the years and this is not normal,” said Matt Gonzales who will take over for Adachi as Public Defender until a permanent successor is named.

Adachi served in the Public Defender’s office in San Francisco for 33 years before his death. Not only was he one of the city’s top officials, he also was a noted film director.

“The news of Jeff Adachi’s death shocked all of us who had grown accustomed to Jeff’s tireless energy and boundless joy for the work of the SF Public Defender’s office, for the Asian American community, and for the craft of documentary film,” said Stephen Gong of CAAM, the Center for Asian American Media in a statement to AsAmNews. “His untimely passing saddens and hurts all of us whose lives were brightened and made better by this remarkable community leader and gifted filmmaker.”

Among Adachi’s films were You Don’t Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story (2009) and The Ride (2017)

Jeff Adachi (right) with fellow filmmakers Felicia Lowe and Arthur Dong
Jeff Adachi (right) with fellow filmmakers Felicia Lowe and Arthur Dong. Courtesty: Arthur Dong

” With Jeff’s passing, we’ve lost a vital singular voice, and a good friend to so many,” said filmmaker Arthur Dong. “I have faith his legacy will continue in the work of future justice advocates and in the lives of
those he’s helped. “

The statements from Dong and Gong match those of others who knew Adachi.

“He’s been a big part of my life I would say for the last few years,” said Susie Kurtz, who told ABC7 she talked with the last person who was with Adachi before he died.

She said Adachi was with longtime friend Catalina when he complained of stomach pains during dinner at a North Beach restraurant. The two left and went to an apartment before an ambulance would rush him to the hospital.

“She was hysterical and she said, Susie, Susie, Susie, something is wrong with Jeff, please come. I don’t know what to do.”



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