An internal investigation into alleged unauthorized access of confidential records comes just weeks before accused murderer D4vd’s July 21 preliminary hearing
More than a dozen employees at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner are reportedly under investigation after graphic details from the homicide investigation into 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were leaked in past media reports before the official autopsy file was made public.
According to NBC4 Los Angeles, investigators and administrative staff have been ordered to participate in recorded interviews as part of an internal probe into whether they accessed confidential law enforcement investigative files without permission.
Throughout the course of the Rivas-Hernandez investigation, and prior to the singer being arrested, there were leaks that the teen’s body may have been frozen, decapitated, and other sordid details revealed.
Multiple sources familiar with the matter stated the investigation is being conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources.
The Medical Examiner’s Department declined to comment on the reported investigation, as it’s ongoing.
Los Angeles Magazine also reached out to the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources seeking comment on the reported investigation but did not receive a response.
The preliminary hearing for the murder case against singer D4vd, or David Anthony Burke, is set to begin on July 21- could this investigation cause possible delays?
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment fully, telling Los Angeles Magazine in a statement: “Since this is an open case our office declines comment. The preliminary hearing is set to begin on July 21.”
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If confirmed, the Medical Examiner personnel investigation would be separate from the criminal prosecution against Burke, and is focused on whether confidential records were improperly accessed or viewed by county employees. No employees have publicly been accused of leaking information, and the reported probe remains ongoing.
David Burke Booking PhotoCredit: Los Angeles District Attorney Handout
Celeste’s remains were discovered in September 2025 inside the front trunk of a Tesla linked to singer D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, and he’s since been charged with murder and a slew of related offenses. Because of the high-profile nature of the homicide investigation, Los Angeles police detectives sought to keep the Medical Examiner’s records sealed while the criminal investigation continued. The Medical Examiner initially fought that request before a judge later ordered the case file sealed.