Dismembered Teen's Death Cause Disclosed

The Los Angeles County medical examiner says 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez died from multiple penetrating injuries, months after her dismembered remains were found in D4vd’s Tesla. (abcnews.com) The newly unsealed report, released April 22, ruled her death a homicide and said she had two penetrating wounds to her torso, including an injury to her liver. The report was completed Dec. 9, 2025, but stayed sealed until a court ordered it released this week. (abcnews.com) Celeste’s remains were discovered Sept. 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a Tesla impounded at a Hollywood tow yard after workers reported a strong smell of decay and swarms of flies. Court records said authorities found a cadaver bag with a decomposed head and torso, plus separate bags containing severed arms and legs. (patch.com) Police and prosecutors have identified D4vd as David Anthony Burke, 21, and charged him this week with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and mutilating human remains. He is being held without bail and has pleaded not guilty, according to court and police updates. (patch.com) (apnews.com) Prosecutors said Celeste went to Burke’s Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, and was never heard from again. NBC Los Angeles reported police believe she likely died in spring 2025, months before the Tesla was towed from a neighborhood near a rental property where Burke had been living. (nbclosangeles.com 1) (nbclosangeles.com 2) The cause-of-death release closes one of the biggest gaps in a case that had been partly hidden by sealed records and a grand jury investigation. Patch reported in February that court filings had already identified Burke as the target of a murder probe tied to Celeste’s death. (patch.com) District Attorney Nathan Hochman said this week that prosecutors will seek special-circumstance murder allegations, including financial gain, and alleged Burke killed Celeste to protect his “very lucrative musical career” from exposure. Burke’s defense team has said he is innocent. (da.lacounty.gov) (foxla.com) Celeste’s family said through their attorney on April 22 that they were “absolutely devastated” by the medical examiner’s findings and asked for privacy as they process the report. The criminal case now moves forward with the autopsy findings public and the homicide ruling formalized. (nbclosangeles.com)