Cause of Dea*h Revealed for Celeste Rivas Hernandez as D4vd Remains Jailed on Multiple Charges

The cause of death for Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been made public two days after singer D4vd was charged with murder and other offenses in connection with the case

Officials have confirmed the cause of death for Celeste Rivas Hernandez, marking a significant development in the ongoing case. The update comes shortly after d4vd was formally charged in connection with the incident.

An autopsy performed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the 14-year-old died from “multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)” and ruled her manner of death a homicide, according to a press release shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, April 22.

According to the medical examiner’s report, also obtained by PEOPLE, Rivas suffered “two penetrating wounds in the torso” as well as “bilateral dismemberment of upper and lower extremities and multiple additional skin defects.”

The toxicology report also states she had alcohol in her system and tested as “presumptive positive” for benzodiazepines, methamphetamines and MDMA on the initial drug screening. Further testing is needed to confirm, the report said.

Additionally, methamphetamine and designer opioids were “inconclusive due to interfering substance(s)” on the second drug screening. MDA and benzodiazepines were also not detected.

Postmortem toxicology performed on liver tissue showed the presence of “a low level of ethanol.” Investigators said it may have been due to “postmortem changes or ingestion, and does not appear to be contributory to the cause of death.”

“A deputy medical examiner conducted an examination of Ms. Rivas Hernandez on September 10, 2025, at the DME’s Forensic Science Center,” the release states. “The cause and manner of death were determined December 9, 2025.”

This represents a major development in the case, as the LAPD was granted a request last fall to seal the teen’s autopsy findings amid the ongoing murder investigation.

“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 the release. “It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter.”

According to prosecutors, Rivas’ dismembered remains were found in two separate bags inside the trunk of a Tesla registered to the 21-year-old music artist after police received reports of a foul odor coming from the car at a tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025 — one day after her 15th birthday.

Rivas had been reported missing out of Lake Elsinore, Calif., according to multiple news reports, citing local authorities.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has said the suspect, born David Anthony Burke, allegedly killed Rivas on April 23, 2025 and later dismembered her, leaving the remains in the car for four months, per a press release.

Prosecutors alleged that Burke dismembered Rivas “on or about May 5, 2025,” according to Burke’s criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

Hochman previously said that Burke’s alleged motive was to keep Rivas — last seen at his Hollywood Hills home — from exposing their illegal sexual relationship, which was already under investigation.

Hochman also claimed Rivas had threatened that night to expose Burke and damage his music career.

The complaint states Burke allegedly repeatedly sexually abused Rivas “on or between Sept. 7, 2023 and Sept. 7, 2024.” That initial date marks the girl’s 13th birthday.

Burke was arrested on April 16 and has since been charged with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. On April 20, he pleaded not guilty to the charges in court, where a judge also ordered him to be held on no bail. He is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing on Thursday, April 23.

According to Hochman, the murder charge carries special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain and murdering a witness to an investigation. He said in the release that prosecutors believe Burke “used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime.”

If convicted as charged, Burke faces the death penalty or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. However, Hochman said his office has yet to decide whether to pursue the death penalty.

Following his arrest, Burke’s attorneys, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, said in a statement that he “was not the cause” of the girl’s death, adding they plan to “vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

Burke, who has been the focus of a grand jury investigation since November 2025, was touring North America at the time of the discovery and subsequently canceled the remaining dates.

The singer, who earned acclaim (and BMI Pop Awards) for hits like “Here with Me” and “Romantic Homicide,” released his debut album Withered on April 25, 2025.