Los Angeles authorities released the official cause of death for Celeste Rivas Hernandez Wednesday, and the teenager’s family said they are “devastated” by the findings.
Celeste, 14, was fatally stabbed with her cause of death listed as “multiple penetrating injuries,” the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office said in its 26-page report released earlier today to People magazine. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
The examination revealed the teenager suffered two wounds. She was stabbed once in her “right abdomen,” causing an injury to her liver, left chest and “disruption” to the adjacent ribs. The second wound was on her “left chest.”
The attached toxicology report said she had alcohol in her system at the time of death and tested “presumptive positive” for benzodiazepines, as well as methamphetamines, and MDMA in an initial drug screening.
A second screening found the methamphetamine and opioid results were “inconclusive due to interfering substance(s).”
In November 2025, the medical examiner’s office placed a “security hold” on information in the teen’s death after the LAPD obtained a court order preventing the office from releasing its findings, purportedly to protect the police investigation.
Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Odey Ukpo, decried the decision at the time, as previously reported.
“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,” Ukpo said Wednesday. “It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter.”
In response to the medical examiner’s report, Celeste’s family released a statement to Urban Hollywood 411 on Wednesday evening through attorney Patrick Steinfeld.
“The Rivas Hernandez family is absolutely devastated by the findings contained in the Medical Examiner’s Report involving the horrible and gruesome death of their beloved daughter,” the statement read.
“These findings have caused profound emotional pain for the family. They respectfully ask for privacy, understanding, and patience as they process this information.”
The teenager ran away from her family’s home in Lake Elsinore, California — about an hour away from downtown Los Angeles — and was last seen on April 5, 2024, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. She was 13 years old at the time.
Celeste’s decomposed and dismembered body was found by Los Angeles police in an impounded Tesla registered to singer D4vd on Sept. 8, 2025. Officers made the discovery after being called to a tow yard in Hollywood regarding a strong odor coming from the impounded vehicle.
Court documents released earlier this year said the remains had been placed in two bags in the front trunk of the car.
Alt-pop singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, was arrested at his home in the Hollywood Hills on Thursday, April 16, following a seven-month investigation.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman held a news conference four days later announcing Burke, 21, had been charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a body.
Hochman said the murder charge includes special circumstances allegations of lying in wait; committing a crime for financial gain; and murdering the witness in an investigation.
The D.A. said Celeste was a witness in a case being compiled against Burke. Hochman alleged the singer killed the teen to protect his “very lucrative” career.
TMZ reported the singer signed a $3 million recording contract at age 17. He was on tour when Celeste’s body was found.
If convicted as charged, Burke faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty. The D.A. said his office will decide later if it plans to seek the death penalty.
A few hours after the D.A. spoke to reporters, Burke made his first court appearance. A defense lawyer entered not guilty pleas to all counts on his behalf.
He appeared behind an area for inmates surrounded by bars and a plastic covering. The singer remains held without bail, and is expected back in court on Thursday, April 23.
Celeste’s family said in their statement they do not plan to attend the hearing.
Below is our video of the D.A.’s news conference and D4vd in court Monday:
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