By now it's fairly well known that the recently deceased Dr. Marc Abrams, known for his brisk, shirtless walks through Silver Lake, Echo Park and surrounding environs, was under investigation for his treatment of a 25-year old man in his care who overdosed on painkillers, as first reported by the Times. It didn't seem to matter to hundreds who turned out for a stroll to memorialize him Sunday.

The question is not whether news outlets should be reporting the investigation. It's news. The question is whether the police should be dishing to news outlets even though he's dead, making the investigation moot. There's also the matter of him not being able to defend himself.

It's by no means an easy question, however. For although his family and friends are having to suffer even more, especially given that suicide is now considered a possibility, there's also the matter of the family of the 25-year old who died of the overdose. It can't be easy for them to sit by and watch the man lionized while the reality may be something else.

The police also have to consider the deterrent effects — it's probably not a bad thing to get the word out that if you give out prescription painkillers like candy on Halloween, investigators will take note, and there will be consequences. (Abrams' lawyer told the Times he'd done nothing wrong and had an impeccable record.) In the end, it was probably investigators who were irritated about all the talk of naming a walking tour after him and such.

So again, not an easy call.

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