Celeste Rivas Died of Multiple Stab Wounds, Autopsy Finds

An official autopsy has determined that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez died from multiple stab wounds, a conclusion made public by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office alongside the filing of murder charges. The report, formally classifying the death as a homicide, details two fatal injuries: one puncture wound to the upper abdomen that penetrated her liver and another to the left side of her chest.

The teenager's remains, found in an advanced state of decomposition, were discovered inside several bags placed in the front trunk—commonly called a "frunk"—of a Tesla. The vehicle is registered to musician David Burke, who performs under the stage name D4vd. The medical examiner also documented that her arms and legs had been amputated. Burke, charged this week with murder and child sexual abuse, is accused of using a sharp object to kill Rivas before dismembering her body. D4vd, a rising artist who gained initial fame through viral hits on TikTok, now confronts allegations that starkly contradict his public image. His breakout single, "Romantic Homicide," ironically titled, topped viral charts in 2022, a fact that has drawn morbid commentary in light of the charges.

Prosecutors state Rivas was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, during a visit to Burke's Hollywood Hills home. While the county medical examiner completed the autopsy in December, its findings were not released until now to avoid compromising the ongoing LAPD investigation. Legal experts note that cases involving dismemberment, though forensically complex due to the potential for evidence degradation, frequently lead prosecutors to seek the harshest penalties. "The act of dismemberment is almost universally interpreted by juries as an attempt to conceal the crime or the victim's identity, which demonstrates a consciousness of guilt," explained former federal prosecutor Elena Rodriguez. "This perception often becomes a pivotal factor during the sentencing phase, even if the defense challenges the forensic timeline."

In a statement released through their attorney, Celeste Rivas's parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, remembered their daughter as a "beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance." They highlighted simple family traditions, like weekly movie nights, that are now sources of profound grief. "We love her very much... All we want is Justice for Celeste," they stated, also expressing gratitude to the investigative team. Their community has held multiple vigils, reflecting the case's deep local impact and the unsettling nature of a crime that bridges the worlds of social media celebrity and violent felony.

David Burke entered a plea of not guilty to all charges during a court hearing on Monday and is being held without bail. The charges include special circumstances, which under California law make a defendant eligible for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or, potentially, the death penalty upon conviction. The case now moves to preliminary hearings, where prosecutors must present sufficient evidence to a judge to proceed to a full trial.