Autopsy Results Released for Teenager Found in Rapper's Car
The cause of death for 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been officially revealed, seven months after her body was discovered in a Tesla belonging to rapper D4vd. The Los Angeles County Department Medical Examiner released the autopsy findings, which had been sealed under a court order initiated by the LAPD since December 2025.
Details of the Fatal Injuries
According to the medical report, Rivas Hernandez died from multiple injuries caused by an undisclosed object. The autopsy identified two wounds to her chest and abdomen, which are consistent with injuries from a sharp instrument. This ruling confirms the death as a homicide, adding weight to the criminal charges against the rapper.
Despite initial presumptive positive results for MDMA and methamphetamine, follow-up toxicology screenings found no evidence of MDMA and were inconclusive for methamphetamine. The report noted that alcohol may have been present in her system but did not contribute to her death.
Postmortem Changes and Discovery of the Body
The autopsy also detailed significant postmortem changes to the body, including partial skeletonization and an absent left eye. Rivas Hernandez's body was found dismembered in September 2025, a year and five months after she was first reported missing in April 2024.
Police were alerted to a Hollywood tow yard where the rapper's car had been impounded after staff detected a foul odour. Inside, investigators found a cadaver bag containing a head and torso, along with another bag holding additional body parts, as documented in court records.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances, including murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. Additional charges involve lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14 and mutilating a body.
He is accused of sexually abusing Celeste between 2023 and 2024, when she was 12 and 13 years old. Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges and faces the death penalty if convicted. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 23 April.
Statements from Medical Officials
Chief Medical Examiner Dr Odey Ukpo expressed relief that the information could now be shared with the public and the grieving family. He emphasized the importance of transparency in such cases for community awareness and prevention efforts.
The state of decomposition complicated the autopsy process, delaying the determination of the cause of death for several months. Dr Ukpo highlighted the role of partner agencies in securing the court order to disclose the findings.
