Officials are currently looking into a group of employees at a US county medical examiner’s office due to leaks of disturbing details related to the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Department staff and investigators have been instructed to participate in recorded interviews to establish if they accessed investigation files without proper authorization.

An inquiry was initiated by the Los Angeles Department of Human Resources after concerns were raised about media reports containing specific information about the teenager’s death before the official release of the autopsy file. Celeste’s body was discovered in September 2025 inside a towed Tesla belonging to pop singer David A Burke, known as D4vd. Burke, 21, was arrested and charged with Rivas Hernandez’ murder in April and has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Burke allegedly started sexually abusing Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 years old, and he was 18 after meeting her at the age of 11. Prosecutors claim that he killed her when she threatened to expose their inappropriate relationship. Burke allegedly stabbed Rivas Hernandez numerous times and dismembered her body using chainsaws in his garage. Her body was in such a mutilated state upon discovery that identification was initially challenging.

A later autopsy report indicated that she died from multiple penetrating stab wounds caused by a sharp object and was identified by a unique tattoo on her right index finger reading “Shhh…,” similar to a tattoo Burke has on his finger. Prosecutors also mentioned that Burke possessed a substantial amount of child sexual abuse material on his phone during a previous court appearance.

While the medical examiner’s office refrained from commenting on ongoing investigations, the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association confirmed that some members had received letters regarding the investigation. The association emphasized the importance of a fair and unbiased investigation process and urged patience before drawing conclusions.

SEIU 721, representing other staff in the medical examiner’s office, stressed its commitment to protecting the privacy of all victims, although they did not comment on the inquiry’s specifics. Burke’s attorneys have expressed their determination to vigorously defend his innocence, believing that the evidence will prove his innocence in Celeste’s death.