More than a dozen employees at the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner are under investigation for the alleged unauthorized access of confidential records related to the homicide case of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The internal probe, conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources, follows reports that graphic details of the case were leaked to the media before the autopsy file was made public.
Scope of the Internal Investigation
According to NBC4 Los Angeles, the Department of Human Resources has ordered administrative staff and investigators to participate in recorded interviews. The inquiry focuses on whether county employees accessed sensitive law enforcement files without authorization. While the probe is ongoing, no employees have been publicly accused of leaking information.
The Medical Examiner’s Department has declined to comment on the matter. Los Angeles Magazine also sought comment from the Department of Human Resources but did not receive a response.
Did You Know? Before the official autopsy file was released, media reports contained graphic, unverified details about the case, including allegations that the victim’s body may have been frozen and decapitated.
Connection to the D4vd Murder Case
The investigation into the Medical Examiner’s personnel occurs just weeks before the July 21 preliminary hearing for David Anthony Burke, a singer known as D4vd. Burke faces murder charges following the discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to him in September 2025.
Because of the high-profile nature of the case, Los Angeles police detectives initially sought to seal the Medical Examiner’s records. Although the department initially contested this request, a judge eventually ordered the file sealed to protect the integrity of the ongoing criminal investigation.
Expert Insight: From a procedural standpoint, the separation between the personnel investigation and the criminal trial is significant. While the internal probe focuses on departmental protocol and data security, the criminal prosecution of David Anthony Burke proceeds on a different track. The primary risk to the legal timeline remains whether these administrative issues create evidentiary or procedural challenges that could impact the scheduled court dates.
Potential Impact on Legal Proceedings
Questions have emerged regarding whether the internal personnel investigation could cause delays in Burke’s upcoming preliminary hearing. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the potential for delays, citing the open status of the case. In a statement to Los Angeles Magazine, the office confirmed only that the hearing is still set to begin on July 21.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is conducting the investigation into the Medical Examiner’s office?
The investigation is being conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources.
What are the employees being investigated for?
The probe is examining whether investigators and administrative staff accessed confidential law enforcement files without permission.
Will this investigation delay the preliminary hearing for David Anthony Burke?
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has not indicated any change to the schedule, stating only that the preliminary hearing remains set for July 21.
How might the confidentiality of autopsy records influence the public’s understanding of high-profile criminal cases?
