Official cause of death for Celeste Rivas Hernandez released as 15-year-old had 'multiple injuries'
As part of an ongoing investigation into how teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez died, authorities have now confirmed her official cause of death to be 'multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)'.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed the news on Wednesday (April 22), while also reiterating that the manner of death was consistent with homicide.
Celeste’s body was discovered in an abandoned Tesla in September last year, just one day after what would have been the teen’s 15th birthday.
Her body was discovered inside the impounded Tesla, which was registered to singer D4vd, after officers responded to reports of a 'foul odor' coming from a vehicle in a Hollywood tow yard.
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Prior to her body being found, Celeste’s parents had previously reported her missing since April 2024, when she was just 13 years old.
"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," Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said in a statement on Wednesday.
"It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter. The transparency of the information contained in our findings and reports is essential for empowering the community to make informed changes to affectively reduce fear and allowing the community to take informed action.”
The report has been kept under a tight security seal for over a year, and has now only been released just days after suspect D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested and charged with her murder.
He has pleaded not guilty to her murder.
Ukpo added: "Making the Department's information publicly available is not just about accountability, it is about social justice and prevention. By ensuring access to this information, we strengthen our ability to learn, to act, and ultimately to prevent the next tragic loss of life.
"I want to extend my gratitude to our partner agencies for taking the necessary step of filing an order with the court to make this disclosure possible."
Burke, 21, is facing a first degree murder charge, which if convicted could see him face the death penalty or life imprisonment. He has also been charged with one count each of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Burke stands accused of murder with multiple special circumstances that make the case eligible for either the death penalty or life without parole, however it is currently unknown which avenue prosecutors wish to pursue.
Those circumstances include lying in wait, murder for financial gain, as well as murdering a witness to a crime. Celeste is considered a witness to the charge of sexual abuse of a child.
Following his arrest on April 17, his lawyers spoke out and insisted that he's innocent.
Attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter issued the following statement to LADbible Group: "Let us be clear - 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.
"There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed. David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence."
A timeline of Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death and the allegations against D4vd
April 2024
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, aged 13, is reported missing by her family from Lake Elsinore, California. It is the third time she is reported missing that year, but tragically she is never seen by her parents again.
25 April 2025
D4vd’s debut album Withered is released. It debuts at No. 13 on the Billboard chart, with 30,000 units sold in the first week. He tells The Hollywood Reporter that 80 percent of the album was made on his phone and he recorded vocal takes in his sister’s closet.
5 August 2025
D4vd begins a world tour, starting with a gig in Del Mar, California.
8 September 2025
Celeste’s severely decomposed body is found in the front trunk of a Tesla linked to D4vd. His representatives say he is cooperating with the investigation.
9 September 2025
D4vd performs as planned at The Fillmore Minneapolis, despite the ongoing investigation around Celeste's death.
18 September 2025
Celeste's family create a fundraiser and release a statement, which reads: “As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.”
More than $24,000 is raised for them.
19 September 2025
D4vd cancels the rest of his world tour, and the deluxe version of his debut album is not released as planned.
24 November 2025
The Los Angeles medical examiners officer receives a court order preventing any details of Celeste's death from being released to the public.
16 April 2026
D4vd is arrested and held without bail.
Phoebe Tonks