Autopsy Confirms Penetrating Injuries in Death of Teen Linked to Singer D4vd
The long-awaited autopsy report for Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 14-year-old girl whom singer D4vd is charged with killing, has finally been released, revealing she died from multiple penetrating wounds. The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office determined her death was a homicide caused by these injuries, but the report was sealed until this week at the request of law enforcement.
Delayed Release and Family Anguish
Medical examiner Dr. Odey C. Ukpo expressed relief that the information is now public, stating, "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. It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter." The delay was due to a judge's order, lifted only after prosecutors moved to unseal the document.
Gruesome Discovery and Charges
In September, police found Celeste's dismembered and decomposed remains in bags in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the artist, abandoned in the Hollywood Hills. The 21-year-old alt-pop singer D4vd, legally named David Burke, was charged with first-degree murder, lewd acts with a minor, and mutilating a dead body. He has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege Burke killed Celeste because she threatened to report their sexual relationship, which began when she was 13, fearing it would ruin his rising career. The murder charge includes special circumstances of lying in wait and financial gain.
Autopsy Details and Condition of Remains
The autopsy report details significant wounds to Celeste's torso, likely from a sharp object, with one penetrating her liver. Her body was so degraded that examiners could not determine her eye color. She had braces at death and a tattoo reading "Shhh..." on a finger, with two fingers and parts of her arms and legs missing. The condition delayed the cause-of-death determination, as noted by Los Angeles police chief Jim McDonnell.
Legal Proceedings and Medical Examiner's Stance
Burke's attorneys maintain his innocence, claiming he did not cause Celeste's death and vowing a vigorous defense. Meanwhile, Dr. Ukpo has emphasized his agency's independence, stating he does not believe sealing reports aids investigations and would only withhold them under court order.
