Officials are probing over a dozen workers at a US county medical examiner’s office due to leaks of detailed information about the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Investigators and employees at the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department have been instructed to participate in recorded interviews to ascertain if they accessed investigation files without proper authorization. The Los Angeles Department of Human Resources initiated the investigation after concerns were raised that media reports contained specific details about the teenager’s death before the autopsy file was officially released.
Celeste’s body was discovered in September 2025 inside a towed Tesla owned by pop singer David A Burke, known as D4vd. Burke, 21, was arrested and charged with Rivas Hernandez’ murder and has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated in a court filing that Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11, began sexually abusing her at 13, and killed her when she threatened to expose their inappropriate relationship.
Prosecutors allege that Burke stabbed Rivas Hernandez multiple times and dismembered her body using chainsaws in his garage. Her body was found in a severely mutilated state, making formal identification difficult. An autopsy report later revealed that she died from “multiple penetrating stabbing injuries” caused by a sharp object, and was identified by a unique tattoo on her right index finger reading “Shhh…”. Burke also has a matching tattoo on his own finger.
During a previous court appearance, prosecutors claimed that Burke had a significant amount of child sexual abuse material on his phone. While the medical examiner’s office declined to comment on ongoing investigations, the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association confirmed that some members had received investigation-related letters. SEIU 721, representing other staff members, emphasized their commitment to protecting victims’ privacy and patient confidentiality.
Burke’s attorneys have asserted that they will vigorously defend his innocence and believe that the evidence will prove he did not kill Celeste.