Officials are currently probing over a dozen workers at a US county medical examiner’s office due to the unauthorized disclosure of detailed information regarding the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Employees and investigators at the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department have been instructed to participate in recorded interviews to ascertain if they accessed investigative files without proper authorization, as per sources familiar with the situation.
The Los Angeles Department of Human Resources initiated an inquiry after concerns arose that media reports contained specific details about the teen’s demise prior to the official release of the autopsy report.
In September 2025, Celeste’s body was discovered inside a towed Tesla owned by pop singer David A Burke, known as D4vd. Burke, aged 21, was taken into custody and charged with Rivas Hernandez’ murder in April, pleading not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Burke engaged with Rivas Hernandez when she was 11, began sexually abusing her at age 13, and allegedly killed her when she threatened to expose their inappropriate relationship.
Prosecutors allege that Burke viciously stabbed Rivas Hernandez multiple times and dismembered her body using chainsaws in his garage. Her remains were found in such a mutilated state that identification was initially challenging, later confirmed via a unique tattoo on her right index finger reading “Shhh…”
Furthermore, an autopsy report revealed that she succumbed to “multiple penetrating stabbing injuries” caused by a sharp object, with identification confirmed by the distinctive tattoo on her finger.
During a prior court appearance, prosecutors asserted that Burke had a substantial amount of child sexual abuse material on his phone.
While the medical examiner’s office refrained from commenting on ongoing investigations, the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association, representing the office’s investigators, acknowledged that certain members had received communication regarding the probe.
The union emphasized the need for a fair investigation by the County without bias and encouraged allowing the process to unfold before drawing conclusions.
SEIU 721, representing other office staff, expressed their commitment to safeguarding victims’ privacy and highlighted their stringent approach to patient privacy given the healthcare-related roles of many union members.
Burke’s legal team has reiterated their vigorous defense of his innocence, expressing confidence that the evidence will establish his innocence in Celeste’s death.
