Celeste Rivas Hernandez's cause of death was formally revealed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, 22 April, after county officials released autopsy findings that detail how the 14‑year‑old was killed months before herdismembered remains were discovered in a Teslaregistered to singer D4vd in September 2025.
For context, Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, before workers at a tow yard raised the alarm over a strong odour coming from a vehicle on 8 September 2025, one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Prosecutors say the car belonged to 21‑year‑oldmusic artist D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, whose work includes the tracks 'Here with Me' and 'Romantic Homicide'. He is now accused of killing the teenager, dismembering her body, and leaving her remains in the boot for months.
According to a press release shared withPeopleand based on the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office autopsy, Celeste died from 'multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s).' Her manner of death has been ruled a homicide. Thefindings were reachedon 9 December 2025 butkept under sealat the request of detectives while the murder investigation continued.
The autopsy report, also obtained byPeople, states that Celeste suffered 'two penetrating wounds in the torso' and 'bilateral dismemberment of upper and lower extremities and multiple additional skin defects.' Prosecutors have separately alleged in acriminal complaintthat Burke used 'a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime,' although the exact object has not been publicly identified.
The news came after months of legal efforts to keep key forensic details out of the public domain. The LAPD successfully requested that the teen's autopsy be sealed during the early stages of the case, arguing that disclosure could compromise the ongoing investigation into her killing and dismemberment.
A deputy medical examiner examined Celeste Rivas Hernandez at the department's Forensic Science Center on 10 September 2025, two days after her remains were found in the Tesla's boot. It was almost three months before the office finalised both the cause and the manner of death.
'After several months, I am grateful this information can now be released, not only to the public, but also to the grieving family enduring loss,' Chief Medical Examiner Dr Odey Ukpo said in the statement. 'It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter.'
Toxicology testing added a disturbing layer. The report notes that Celeste had alcohol in her system and tested 'presumptive positive' for benzodiazepines, methamphetamines, and MDMA in an initial drug screen. A second round of tests was less clear‑cut, finding that methamphetamine and designer opioids were 'inconclusive due to interfering substance(s),' while MDA and benzodiazepines were not detected. The document stresses that further analysis is needed to confirm the preliminary findings, meaning those toxicology results should still be treated with caution.
For starters, the allegations against Burke, set out by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and in court filings, paint a grim picture of what prosecutors say happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez over several months.
In a press release cited by People, Hochman says investigators believe Burke killed Celeste on 23 April 2025 at his Hollywood Hills home. Prosecutors then allege he dismembered her 'on or about 5 May 2025' and left her remains in the Tesla for roughly four months until the vehicle was towed and staff at the yard reported the smell.
Source: International Business Times UK
