LAPD apologizes to B.I.G.'s family

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Los Angeles police said Saturday they apologized to the family of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. for releasing his autopsy report before they were warned.

Police officials said an administrative bungle resulted in the autopsy report's premature release by the Los Angeles County coroner's office Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Police officials apologized Friday night to the family of the 24-year-old, New York City-born rapper killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles in 15 years ago. Notorious B.I.G.'s real name was Christopher Wallace.

"Due to an administrative error, the autopsy report was released prematurely. Robbery-homicide division detectives had intended to notify Mr. Wallace's family prior to releasing the report," the LAPD said in a statement.

"Our detectives personally spoke with the Wallace family [Friday] night, and apologized for not notifying them prior to the release," Capt. Billy Hayes said. "Obviously this has been a challenging case for us to solve. We hope that witnesses or other people with information will come forward and give us the clues we need to solve this case."

An attorney for the family had criticized the police for not giving them a heads-up on the report's release.

The police wanted the autopsy details disseminated "as an investigative tool, in the hopes that releasing the report would stimulate additional interest or bring forth witnesses or clues in the case," the newspaper said.

The report details how Wallace was struck by multiple bullets while sitting in a sport utility vehicle on March 9, 1997.

A toxicology screen showed he had no drugs or alcohol in his system.