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By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong
In a tragic turn of events, officials have disclosed that Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl discovered in the vehicle of TikTok sensation D4vd, died from “multiple penetrating injuries.”
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office announced yesterday that her death has been classified as a homicide, resulting from injuries inflicted by an unspecified object or objects.
Rivas Hernandez was found deceased in the front trunk of a Tesla owned by 21-year-old D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, in September. The singer now faces several charges, including murder.
Burke has entered a not guilty plea, with his legal team asserting they will “vigorously defend his innocence.” His attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, expressed confidence that forthcoming evidence will demonstrate Burke’s non-involvement in Rivas Hernandez’s death.
The musician is scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles court on Thursday at 8:30 AM local time (4:30 PM BST).
Shortly after Rivas Hernandez was found, investigators at the medical examiner’s office examined her remains and determined the cause and manner of death by December 9. However, the release of this information was delayed due to ongoing police investigations.
Prosecutors claim that the teenager was murdered and her body dismembered around May 5, 2025, approximately four months before her remains were discovered. Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Odey Ukpo, expressed relief that the information could finally be shared with the public and the grieving family. “It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter,” Ukpo remarked, criticizing the decision to withhold findings.
The autopsy revealed stab wounds on Rivas Hernandez’s abdomen and chest. Forensic teams also reported finding shredded blue plastic within some of her injuries. Her body was located inside a black zippered bag in the front trunk of the Tesla.
A toxicology analysis indicated the presence of methamphetamine or MDMA and a low level of alcohol in her system, however, these substances did not appear to contribute to her death. Following Burke’s arraignment on Monday, Rivas Hernandez’s family released their first public statement, thanking law enforcement, prosecutors, and their Lake Elsinore community for their support during this difficult time.
”Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night, and we cherished those moments together,” her parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, stated. “We love her dearly, and she always expressed her love for us. We miss her profoundly. All we seek is justice for Celeste.”
Family attorney Patrick Steinfeld conveyed the family’s devastation upon hearing the disturbing details presented during Burke’s arraignment.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed at a news conference that Rivas Hernandez had visited Burke’s residence in the Hollywood Hills on April 23, 2025, and was never heard from again. “A parent’s nightmare is when your daughter goes out one night and never returns,” Hochman lamented.
Her parents reported her missing in April, but it wasn’t until September that her body was discovered. Over seven months passed before authorities arrested the singer last week. Since the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s remains in his vehicle, Burke has largely withdrawn from public life, his world tour was canceled, and various brand partnerships were reportedly terminated.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell defended his agency’s approach to the Celeste Rivas case on Monday, addressing the prolonged timeline before an arrest was made. “I want to clarify something. My responsibility is not to incite speculation, it’s to ensure justice, which necessitates patience and discipline from everyone involved,” he stated.
”This investigation was focused solely on achieving justice for Celeste Rivas and her loved ones. We needed to guarantee that nothing we did or communicated would compromise this case,” he emphasized.
He explained that the condition of the teenager’s remains hindered the determination of her cause of death due to the “considerable time” that had elapsed between her demise and the discovery of her body, resulting in the degradation or loss of critical evidence.
Attorney Hochman also pointed out challenges that contributed to the delay in filing charges. In an interview with the BBC, he discussed the complexities of interviewing numerous individuals, some of whom were “helpful” while others were not, in addition to reviewing all the available evidence.
”This is a type of case where we aimed to gather as much information as possible,” he remarked, urging anyone with additional details to come forward.
