The quest for justice for14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandezreached a pivotal turning point on 16 April, with the arrest of 21-year-old rising singer d4vd. The artist, whose legal name isDavid Anthony Burke, is currently being held without bail and faces trial for the death of the teenager, whose severely decomposed remains were discovered inside Burke's abandoned black Tesla at a Hollywood impound lot on 8 September 2025.
This week, the investigation reached a gruesome milestone as unsealed forensic details emerged nearly one year after the alleged murder took place. The newly released Medical Examiner's report has sent shockwaves through the community, detailing not only a chilling cause of death but a series of physical mutilations.
In the report, it was indicated that Hernandez was missing two fingers on her left hand – the pinky and ring finger – and internet sleuths allege that one of the fingers has a tattoo with Burke's name, 'David.'
On Monday, 20 April, during Burke's arraignment, prosecutors alleged that Hernandez was killed on or before 23 April 2025. According to Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Hernandez allegedly went to Burke's home in the Hollywood Hills on that day and was 'never heard from again.'
Investigators believe that the teenager was killed shortly after arriving at the residence. Her remains were not discovered until nearly five months later.
The Medical Examiner's findings are central to the first-degree murder charge with special circumstances. The autopsy confirms that Hernandez died from 'multiple penetrating injuries'caused by a sharp object. Evidence also pointed to post-mortem mutilation.
As reported byLauren ConlinofLos Angeles Magazine, Hernandez's body was found in the Tesla's trunk 'missing both arms above the elbows and both legs above the knees,' and her lower torso appeared to 'have been dismembered into several fragments.'
The examiner's report also noted that two fingers were missing from the teenager's hands, 'The left ring and pinky fingers appear to have been mutilated, and I did not locate them during my scene examination.' The body diagram inside the report shows her right pointer finger with the 'Shhh' tattoo was intact.
This will also be an interesting issue at trial. The autopsy report says there is a "presumptive positive" for methamphetamine and MDMA, but there was another screening, which says methamphetamine was inconclusive and MDMA was not detected. The report says Celeste may have had…pic.twitter.com/F4EDXnXnPg
The remains were so badly decomposed when found at the yard in September 2025 that the medical examiner (ME) could not initially identify the victim without DNA and dental records. The Rivas Hernandez family's lawyers said, 'The family is absolutely devastated.'
Source: International Business Times UK
