Officials Release Cause of Death for Teen Found in Singer D4vd Trunk Investigation

Officials have released the cause of death for 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, confirming she died from multiple penetrating injuries. Consequently, authorities ruled her death a homicide after completing a detailed post-mortem examination.

Her body was discovered in September inside a Tesla registered to 21-year-old musician David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd. Since then, investigators have continued work on the case, which has drawn wide public attention. In addition, the latest findings now provide clearer medical conclusions, even as legal proceedings continue.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirmed that Celeste died from injuries caused by an undisclosed object or objects. Furthermore, officials stated that they completed the medical examination earlier but delayed public release while investigators continued their work.

Dr Odey Ukpo, the chief medical examiner, explained that the office finalised the cause and manner of death in December. However, authorities still withheld the information to support the ongoing investigation.

Moreover, Dr Ukpo noted that officials needed to balance transparency with the need to protect the case. He added that the public and the family deserved answers after months of waiting. At the same time, he acknowledged the emotional strain the delay placed on Celeste’s relatives.

According to the report, investigators confirmed the homicide ruling after reviewing all available medical findings. Nevertheless, they did not disclose the exact object used in the attack.

Read More: Singer D4vd Arrested in Connection to Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez Found in Tesla

Meanwhile, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman provided additional details about the timeline of events. He stated that Celeste went to D4vd home in the Hollywood Hills on 23 April 2025. Afterward, she did not return home. As a result, he described the case as a tragic situation where a child left home and never came back. Her remains were later found several months after she was reported missing in September.

In response, authorities arrested Burke last week after months of investigation. Subsequently, they charged him with murder following his arrest. He appeared in court for the first time on 20 April 2026. During the hearing, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His legal team, however, rejected the allegations and stated that he will strongly defend himself against the accusations. In addition, they said they expect evidence to show he had no involvement in Celeste’s death.

Similarly, Celeste’s family reacted to the autopsy findings with deep sorrow. Her parents described her as a bright and loving teenager. They also shared that she enjoyed singing, dancing, and spending time with family during weekly movie nights.

Furthermore, they thanked law enforcement and members of the community for their support during the difficult months of searching for answers. At the same time, they called for justice and said they continue to struggle with the details surrounding her death.

On the other hand, investigators explained why parts of the case took time to develop. They said the condition of the body when discovered limited some forensic work. Consequently, this made evidence collection more complex. In addition, officers reviewed several witness accounts and worked through conflicting statements. Therefore, they took additional time to ensure accuracy before releasing conclusions.

Police Chief Jim McDonnell also addressed the situation. He said investigators handled the case carefully to protect its integrity. Furthermore, he stressed that the goal remained to reach a solid legal outcome rather than rush findings. In conclusion, he added that the investigation required patience due to its complexity.