LOS ANGELES (AP) — Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl murdered in a case involving singer D4vd, was identified as having died from penetrating injuries as indicated in an autopsy report released Wednesday. The report had previously been kept from public access due to a court order requested by law enforcement.
An examination conducted by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office established her death as a homicide. The details surfaced after the discovery of her dismembered body in bags within a Tesla parked in the Hollywood Hills last September.
D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, was charged with first-degree murder and has pleaded not guilty to the accusations against him. His defense maintains that he did not cause Hernandez's death and asserts they will contest the charges vigorously.
According to prosecutors, the girl was allegedly murdered by Burke following her threat to disclose their purported sexual relationship that began when she was just 13. Such claims have reignited discussions on the complexities and consequences of relationships between adults and minors.
The criminal complaint alleges that Burke used a sharp object to fatally wound Rivas Hernandez and dismember her body about two weeks following her death. The autopsy revealed severe trauma to her torso yet noted significant degradation of her body, making further identification details challenging. Examining officials reported that she had braces at the time of her passing and bore a tattoo reading “Shhh...,” while two fingers were reported missing along with parts of her limbs.
Dr. Odey C. Ukpo, the Chief Medical Examiner for LA County, emphasized that the office should have autonomy independent of law enforcement and that such reports ought to be public. He expressed relief that the medical findings could finally be shared, underscoring the need for transparency for both the public and the grieving family.
Continuing to capture public interest, D4vd gained traction for his music among younger audiences, especially with the viral song “Romantic Homicide,” which reached significant chart positions. His musical career took off earlier, portraying a stark contrast to the serious allegations he currently faces, further complicating the public's perception of the matter.
