Graphic details about the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez surfaced before her autopsy file became public.
Now, more than a dozen Los Angeles County Medical Examiner employees have been ordered to explain whether they viewed restricted records without authorization.
The employees, including investigators and office staff, recently received notices requiring them to sit for recorded interviews, sources familiar with the county personnel inquiry told NBC4 Investigates.
Celeste’s remains were found in September inside an abandoned Tesla registered to musician D4vd, whose real name is David A. Burke. The discovery sparked widespread attention and spurred Los Angeles police detectives to ask the medical examiner to keep the records sealed while they investigated.
The medical examiner initially declined, citing “insufficient jurisdiction,” before police obtained a November court order locking down the file.
The Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association confirmed that some of its members had been notified about the inquiry.
“We expect the County to conduct any investigation professionally, fairly, and without prejudice,” the union said in a statement.
SEIU 721, which represents other medical examiner employees, said it could not discuss the investigation but stressed that “patient privacy is an issue we take seriously.”
Burke was arrested in April on suspicion of killing Celeste at a Hollywood Hills rental home. Prosecutors charged him with murder and alleged special circumstances including lying in wait, murder for financial gain and murdering a witness.
He has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers said they intend to “vigorously defend David’s innocence.”