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

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

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

Almost a week after D4vd was arrested in connection with the death of the 14-year-old, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be multiple stab wounds and ruled the death a homicide, according to a statement released on April 22nd.

Authorities discovered Celeste’s body dismembered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, also known as D4vd, in September. The medical examiner’s report, obtained by TopMob News, revealed she had two stab wounds to her left chest and upper abdomen, one of which injured her liver.

The report indicated the presence of drugs commonly used to treat anxiety and seizures (benzodiazepines), as well as methamphetamine/MDMA (ecstasy/molly), in her system.

D4vd, arrested on April 16th in connection with Celeste’s murder, now faces charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and unlawful mutilation of a human body. Authorities allege that he invited the teenager to his Hollywood Hills home on April 23, 2025, and that was the last time she was seen alive.

According to a press release from Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman on April 20th, the charges against the singer include the claim that he used a dangerous weapon – a sharp object – during the commission of the crime.

According to a statement, David Burke repeatedly engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with Celeste when she was a child under the age of 14. When she threatened to reveal his crimes and ruin his music career, he allegedly murdered her, dismembered her body, and put it in two bags in the trunk of his car.

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

According to his lawyers, Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter, evidence will demonstrate that David Burke did not kill Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not responsible for her death. They stated in a press release on April 20th that they will strongly defend his innocence.

Ever since the musician faced charges, Celeste’s family has publicly thanked everyone for their support during the investigation.

In a statement to ABC News on April 21st, those who knew Celeste described her as a beautiful and strong girl who loved to sing and dance. They fondly remembered Friday nights as a special tradition filled with movies and wonderful moments together.

The family shared that they loved her dearly and she always expressed her love for them in return. They are heartbroken by her loss and are asking for justice for Celeste.

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

D4vd, whose full name is David Anthony Burke, was born in Queens, New York, but later moved to Houston, Texas, at the age of 13.

D4vd started his online career by streaming games like Fortnite on YouTube, hoping to gain popularity. In 2021, he faced issues with copyrighted music in his videos, so he asked his mom for help.

He explained to Benny Blanco in an interview with Hero magazine in September 2024 that he was feeling lost and frustrated, like he was complaining to his mom. He told her he wasn’t earning any money and didn’t know what to do. She simply told him to make his own music and left him alone. That’s when he realized he could actually try doing that.

D4vd, who hadn’t had any formal musical training beyond casual singing, began creating music using an app on his phone. His songs quickly gained popularity online, and as more of his original tracks went viral on TikTok, his music career started to flourish.

He finally put out his first album, Withered, in April 2025, and quickly began his first tour around the world.

On September 8th, police were sent to a Hollywood tow yard after reports of a bad smell coming from a car, according to NBC News sources.

Los Angeles police discovered human remains inside a Tesla’s front trunk. The car was registered to David Anthony Burke, who performs as the artist D4vd, and the registration address was in Hempstead, Texas.

According to police, the car was towed to the impound lot because it had been left abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed on September 16th that remains found in a Tesla belonged to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing since April 5, 2024. She was 13 years old when she disappeared, and authorities believe she was 14 when she died.

In April 2026, authorities ruled the death a homicide. A medical examiner’s report obtained by TopMob News revealed she died from multiple stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, including a liver injury. Although her body was found on September 8th, investigators believe it had been in the car for a significant amount of time beforehand and was badly decomposed.

After learning about the death of Rivas Hernandez, a representative for D4vd told NBC News that the singer has been notified and is working with law enforcement while continuing his tour.

Since then, D4vd canceled the remainder of his U.S. dates.

On April 16, 2026, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of D4vd in connection with the murder of Rivas Hernandez.

Los Angeles police have arrested 21-year-old David Burke in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas. According to a police statement on X, Burke is being held without the possibility of bail.

D4vd faces charges including murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and the unlawful mutilation of a human body, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released on April 20th.

According to District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, David Burke is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing Celeste when she was a child, under the age of 14. He also alleges that Burke murdered Celeste after she threatened to reveal his crimes and potentially ruin his music career. Burke is accused of dismembering her body, placing it in two bags, and storing it in his car’s trunk for over four months before it was discovered at a tow yard on September 8, 2025. District Attorney Hochman described the murder as horrific and gruesome, and pledged to secure justice for Celeste’s family.

The charges against D4vd include aggravated murder due to the alleged killing of a witness, committing murder for financial reasons, and preplanning the crime. Prosecutors also allege he used a dangerous weapon – a sharp object – during the commission of the crime.

Okay, so everyone’s been saying things about D4vd and what happened, but his lawyer totally shut it down! They told TopMob News on April 20th that he had nothing to do with it, and they’re going to fight like crazy to prove he’s innocent. I knew it! He wouldn’t ever… it’s just awful what people are saying, but I’m so glad his team is defending him.

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2026-04-23 01:21