Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl found dead in the front trunk of a Tesla SUV belonging to singer D4vd, died of “multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s),” the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office said on Wednesday, April 22.
An autopsy was conducted on Sept. 10, two days after the Lake Elsinore girl’s decomposed remains were discovered in the trunk of the impounded Tesla registered to the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said he was grateful the autopsy was getting release “not only to the public, but also to the grieving family enduring loss.
“It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter,” Ukpo said.
After a months-long investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Burke, 21, was arrested last week and charged this week with capital murder, lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, and mutilation of human remains. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The medical examiner’s report notes two penetrating wounds, one to the left lower chest and one to the right abdomen, along with the dismemberment of both arms and legs, with the legs each cut in two different places.
Celeste’s torso and head were found intact in a black body bag with handles inside the trunk, the report states. Her limbs were found in black trash bags beneath the body bag.
Tagged on to the murder charge against Burke are special-circumstance allegations of lying in wait, killing for financial gain and killing a witness to a criminal investigation. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Celeste was a witness for an investigation into the singer for continued sexual abuse of a minor, though it was unclear if she ever went to police.
Hochman said on Monday, April 21, that Celeste was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, after arriving at Burke’s home in the Hollywood Hills. Hochman said that the evidence would show Burke killed Celeste partially because she was threatening his musical career that night.
Celeste’s parents attended Monday’s court hearing, but did not speak with reporters. In a Tuesday statement, released by their attorney, they said they were grateful to LAPD and the District Attorney’s Office for their hard work.
“Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance,” read the the statement by Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez. “Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together. We love her very much, and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.”
A Burke attorney, Blair Berk, said after Monday’s initial court hearing that his team of lawyers believe the actual evidence will show that Burke did not kill Celeste and he was not the cause of her death.
During that hearing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Theresa R. McGonigle ordered the medical examiner’s report to be unsealed. DA Hochman said that day he supported the move.
The medical examiner’s office finalized the findings on Dec. 9, but the investigation into her death continued so the report remained under seal.
Celeste was reported missing by her mother in 2024 when she was 13 years old. Her mother at point told reporters that her daughter had a boyfriend named David. The singer had a tattoo on one of his fingers that read “Shhh,” which matched a tattoo found on Celeste’s index finger during the autopsy, authorities said.