Authorities have released autopsy findings in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old at the center of an ongoing criminal case involving D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke.
According to the report, the cause of death was determined to be “multiple penetrating injuries.” The findings were made public months after the victim’s remains were discovered in September in Los Angeles.
The body was located in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. The vehicle had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and later towed to a police impound lot. An employee reported a foul odor, leading to the discovery.
The autopsy report details the condition of the remains, noting the presence of a zippered body bag and injuries that “may represent sharp force injuries,” including wounds to the chest and abdomen. Due to advanced decomposition, the medical examiner was unable to determine the precise cause of certain additional injuries.
The report further states that the victim’s arms and legs had been dismembered, with “multiple blue plastic fragments” embedded in the cut surfaces. Two fingers were also removed from the left hand.
A statement from Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Odey Ukpo reads:
“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. It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter.”
An attorney representing the victim’s family also issued a statement:
“The Rivas Hernandez family is absolutely devastated by the findings contained in the Medical Examiner’s report involving the horrible and gruesome death of their beloved daughter. They respectfully ask for privacy, understanding, and patience as they process this information.”
Burke was arrested and has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years old, and mutilation of human remains.
The case remains ongoing.
