Autopsy: 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Died From 'Multiple Penetrating Injuries'; Singer d4vd Charged

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.

An autopsy released Wednesday found that 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez died of "multiple penetrating injuries," adding new detail to the case against singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as d4vd, who has been arrested and charged in connection with her death.

Discovery and Investigation

Celeste's remains were discovered last September inside the front trunk ("frunk") of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle was apparently abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and later towed to a police impound lot. An employee at the lot reported a foul odor coming from the trunk and alerted authorities.

For months, many specifics of the investigation were sealed while a grand jury convened and law enforcement kept parts of the probe private. Family members and friends had reported Celeste missing several times beginning in early 2024. She and Burke appeared together on a Twitch livestream in January 2024; between January and March of that year he was photographed exiting a black Tesla near the girl's home, and she was photographed backstage at one of his Los Angeles shows in June 2024. Authorities say she was last seen alive in April 2025 when she went to Burke's residence.

Autopsy Findings

The Los Angeles County medical examiner's report states the official autopsy — which was ruled a homicide last December and was previously sealed at law enforcement's request — documents two wounds that "may represent sharp-force injuries," one to the chest and one to the abdomen. Severe decomposition limited the examiners' ability to determine some causes of the injuries.

Investigators found the remains in a zippered body bag; the report says Celeste's arms and legs had been dismembered and that multiple small blue plastic fragments were embedded in the cut surfaces and submitted as evidence. Two fingers were removed from her left hand. Alcohol was detected in her system, though examiners noted it was unclear whether that was a result of ingestion or decomposition.

Board-certified forensic pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee, who reviewed the released report but is not involved in the investigation, said the injuries described are most consistent with stabbing and that the dismemberment likely occurred after death. “This is a very difficult case because of the decomposition,” she said.

The report also documents a tattoo reading "Shhh..." on the inside of Celeste's right index finger, a mark noted to be similar to a tattoo Burke is reported to have on one of his fingers.

Charges And Legal Response

Burke was arrested last week and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He faces charges including first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and mutilating human remains. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors allege Burke had a sexual relationship with Celeste and killed her “when she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career.”

After the arraignment, Burke's attorney, Blair Berk, said: "The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death. We will vigorously defend David's innocence."

Family Reaction And Next Steps

Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Odey Ukpo said he was grateful the information could be released to the public and to the grieving family. An attorney for Celeste's family called the autopsy findings "profound emotional pain" and said the family is "absolutely devastated" and requests privacy as they process the loss.

Authorities did not provide a precise time of death in the public report. Investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing; CNN and other outlets have reached out to Burke's attorneys for further comment.