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    D4vd Case: Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Cause of Death Revealed

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    Watch: D4vd Charged With Murder, “Mutilation” of Human Remains in Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case

    Content warning: This story graphic descriptions of an alleged murder.

    Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s cause of death has been determined.

    Nearly a week after D4vd was arrested for allegedly murdering the 14-year-old, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner shared her cause of death as “multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)” and her manner of death as homicide, per an April 22 press release.

    While Celeste’s body was dismembered when authorities discovered it in September inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke), the medical examiner found that the teenager had two penetrating wounds on her left chest and upper abdomen, including an injury to her liver, according to the examiner’s report obtained by E! News.

    The report also shows there were presumptive positives for benzodiazepines (a medication used to treat anxiety and seizures) and methamphetamine/MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly) in her system.

    Earlier this week, D4vd—who was arrested for Celeste’s murder April 16—was charged with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains after allegedly inviting the teen to his home in the Hollywood Hills on April 23, 2025, which is when she was last known to be alive. 

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    Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Family Reacts to D4vd’s Arrest in Her Murder Case

    The criminal complaint against the singer also includes a “special allegation” that he “personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime,” per an April 20 press release from L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman.

    “Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” Hochman said in the release. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car.” 

    Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images; GoFundMe

    D4vd has pleaded not guilty to all charges and will remain in custody on no bail. 

    “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,” his attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter told E! News in an April 20 statement. “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

    Since the musician was charged, Celeste’s family has emphasized their appreciation for the support they have received throughout the investigation.

    “Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance,” they shared in an April 21 statement to ABC News. “Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together.”

    “We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us,” the family continued. “We miss her deeply. All we want is justice for Celeste.”

    For all the details from the investigation into Celeste’s death, keep reading… 

    Instagram/D4vd

    Where is D4vd From?Born in Queens, New York, D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke) moved to Houston, Texas, when he was 13 years old. 

    Josh Brasted/FilmMagic

    How Did D4vd Become Famous?D4vd first began his career as a streamer, playing Fortnite and other games in an attempt to go viral on YouTube. When he ran into copyright infringement challenges with the music he was adding to his videos in 2021, he turned to his mom. “I’m like crying to Mom about it,” he told Benny Blanco during an interview for Hero magazine in September 2024. “I’m like, Yo, I don’t know what to do I’m not making any money anymore, blah blah blah.’ And she was on a phone, and she was like, ‘Just make your own music, go get out of my face.’ And I was like, ‘Wait a minute. I could probably do that.'”From there, despite not having any musical experience other than singing for fun, D4vd downloaded an app on his phone and started making music. Soon, some of his songs went viral, and after more of his original music started to go viral on TikTok, his career began to really take off.The 20-year-old eventually released his debut album, Withered, in April 2025, embarking on his first world tour shortly thereafter.

    Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Riot / Netflix

    When Was the Body Found in D4vd’s Car?On Sept. 8, the Los Angeles Police Department was called to a tow yard in Hollywood over reports of a foul odor coming from a vehicle, law enforcement sources told NBC News. The LAPD found human remains wrapped in a bag hidden in the front trunk of a Tesla, which was registered in Hempstead, Texas, under D4vd’s real name, David Anthony Burke. Police said the vehicle had been towed to the impound lot after it was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills. 

    Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Made on YouTube 2024

    Who Was the Victim Found in D4vd’s Car?The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office September 16 said the remains found in the Tesla were identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing on April 5, 2024. She was 13 years old at the time of her disappearance and officials believe she died when she was 14.Her manner of death was announced in April 2026 as homicide, while her cause of death was determined to be “multiple penetrating injuries” to her chest and abdomen, including an injury to her liver, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report obtained by E! News. Though her death was officially pronounced September 8—the day her body was discovered—officials noted her body appeared to have been in the car for an extended period of time before its discovery and was “severely decomposed.”

    Erika Goldring/Getty Images

    What Has D4vd Said About the Investigation?Following the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s body, a spokesperson for D4vd said in a statement to NBC News that the singer “has been informed about what’s happened, and although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities.”Since then, D4vd canceled the remainder of his U.S. dates.

    Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

    What Happened in the Case?D4vd was arrested for Rivas Hernandez’s murder, the Los Angeles Police Department announced April 16, 2026. “Detectives from Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division have arrested David Burke, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, for the murder of Celeste Rivas,” the public information officer stated on X. “Burke is being held without bail.”

    Antoine Flament/Getty Images

    What Was D4vd Charged With?D4vd was charged with one count of murder, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and one count of unlawful mutilation of human remains, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed in an April 20 press release. “Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car. There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025. This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”The criminal complaint against D4vd also “includes special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain and lying in wait.” Additionally, there is a “special allegation” that he “personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime.”D4vd’s attorney’s denied he was the cause of her death, telling E! News in an April 20 statement, “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

    For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

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