The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner has officially released the cause of death for 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered remains were discovered in a car linked to rising singer D4vd. According to Entertainment Weekly, the autopsy report states that Rivas Hernandez died from "multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)," and her death has been ruled a homicide.
Findings Bring Long-Awaited Answers
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo acknowledged the difficulty of the delay in releasing the report. In a statement issued Wednesday, he expressed gratitude that the information could finally be shared, calling it "unfathomable" that the family had to wait so long to learn what happened. He emphasized that making such findings public is about more than transparency—it is about accountability, social justice, and helping prevent future tragedies. The report had been under a security hold for months before its release, according to EW.
Key Details Remain Disturbing
The autopsy was limited due to "extensive postmortem changes," as the body had been dismembered and badly decomposed when it was found, as reported by The Associated Press. Investigators determined there were at least two penetrating wounds to the torso that may indicate sharp-force injuries. One wound pierced the liver, while another damaged ribs in the chest area. Clothing she was wearing showed signs of being cut, per AP.
Other Findings Add to the Grim Picture
According to CNN, a tattoo reading "Shhh…." was found on the inside of her right index finger—similar to one worn by D4vd. Two fingers on her left hand had been removed. The case first came to light last September, one day after what would have been Rivas Hernandez's 15th birthday. Los Angeles police were called to a Hollywood tow yard after reports of a foul smell coming from an impounded Tesla registered to the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, per EW. Inside the trunk, officers found a body bag covered in insects and emitting a strong odour of decay, according to court documents previously reported by the Toronto Sun. When partially unzipped, the bag revealed her head and torso. Additional remains, including severed arms and legs, were later found in another bag beneath it.
Eligible for the Death Penalty
Burke, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder and could face the death penalty if convicted. He is also charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains, per EW. He was arrested April 16, roughly eight months after the body was discovered. Prosecutors allege the motive was tied to protecting his rising music career. According to the Toronto Sun, authorities believe Burke killed the teen shortly before releasing his debut album—which dropped just two days after she was last known to be alive.
Deeply Troubling Timeline Outlined by Investigators
Rivas Hernandez was reported missing in 2024 when she was just 13. A criminal complaint alleges she had been subjected to ongoing sexual abuse by Burke for at least a year, beginning in September 2023. Under California law, such offences involving children under 14 carry severe penalties. Authorities say she was 14 when she was killed, sometime in late April 2025, while on her way to Burke's Hollywood Hills home, per the Toronto Sun. Prosecutors further allege her body was mutilated roughly two weeks later.
'Beyond a Reasonable Doubt'
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a press conference that Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, when she went to Burke's home, according to EW. He added that prosecutors will present physical, forensic, and digital evidence in court that they believe proves the charges "beyond a reasonable doubt." Burke has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers insist he is innocent, saying in a statement to EW that the evidence will show he "did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," and that they intend to vigorously fight the charges.
Celeste's Family Speaks for the First Time
In a statement reported by Global News, her parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, thanked investigators and the local community for their support. In a separate statement shared through their lawyer to NBC 4 Los Angeles, they remembered their daughter as a vibrant teenager who loved music and dancing. They described simple family traditions, like Friday movie nights, and the close bond they shared. "We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply," they said. "All we want is justice for Celeste."
Burke's Rise in Music World Draws Added Attention to the Case
As D4vd, he built a strong Gen Z following with a mix of indie rock, lo-fi pop, and R&B, according to the Toronto Sun. He first went viral in 2022 on TikTok with his song Romantic Homicide, which climbed to No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He later signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records, releasing the EP Petal to Thorns in 2023, followed by The Lost Petals, and his full-length album Withered in 2025.
