In most places, it is a trade of little glamour. Transporting bodies, performing autopsies — the role of a coroner’s office tends to be dismissed as a macabre necessity.

But this is Los Angeles, where the list of those who have died unexpectedly is iconic: Marilyn Monroe. The Notorious B.I.G. Whitney Houston. Michael Jackson.

In late October, it was the actor Matthew Perry — beloved for playing Chandler Bing on the sitcom “Friends” — who suddenly departed, stunning legions of fans around the world. The 54-year-old, who struggled with addiction, was found unresponsive in a hot tub.

It is the latest celebrity mystery for the office often referred to as “the coroner to the stars” but formally called the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner. Its workload and unique terrain are unparalleled, spanning 88 cities across 4,000 square miles in the nation’s most populous county. The office must deal with the same tragic notes as any area — traffic accidents, homicides, drug overdoses, suicides — but also earthquakes, wildfires and riots.

And celebrities.

In a region still defined by its Hollywood culture, employees have long been accustomed to satellite trucks parked outside. Now, prying eyes are everywhere, as the proliferation of social media and entertainment sites has only intensified the demand for instant answers and the spotlight on high-profile deaths.