The autopsy report released on the death of the girl singer D4vd is charged with murder
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Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old D4vd singer, who is charged with murder, died of stab wounds to her upper body, according to an autopsy report released Wednesday.
His death was ruled a homicide in a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, which had been withheld from release for months.
An autopsy determined “extensive postmortem changes” in the dismembered and decomposed body when it was found in two bags in the trunk of a Tesla parked in the Hollywood Hills in September.
Examination revealed “two penetrating wounds with smooth edges that likely represent sharp force injuries.” One wound above the abdomen penetrated the liver. One, in the left chest, injured his ribs. The tube top she was wearing appeared to be cut in three places.
A judge ordered the report sealed late last year at the request of law enforcement, but prosecutors agreed this week to release it.
The 21-year-old musician, D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, was charged with murder on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to murder, assault and indecency with a person under the age of 14 and mutilation of a corpse. Burke’s attorneys say he did not cause Rivas Hernandez’s death and will vigorously defend his innocence.
The victim’s parents are speaking out
The girl’s parents commented publicly for the first time Tuesday night, thanking investigators for their work and the people of her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California, for their support. Lake Elsinore is about 70 miles (112 km) southeast of Los Angeles.
“Celeste was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent good times together,” said Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez. “We love her very much and she always told us she loved us. We miss her a lot. All we want is justice for Celeste.”
Prosecutors say Burke killed Rivas Hernandez because he threatened to report that they had a sexual relationship that began when he was 13 years old and feared it would ruin his burgeoning career.
The criminal complaint says he killed her with a sharp object and dismembered the body two weeks later.
Medical Examiner investigators called to the scene found his body and head in a black zip-top bag on Tesla’s trunk, with his arms and legs in a separate garbage bag.
His body had deteriorated to such an extent that the inspectors could not even see the color of his eyes. He had braces at the time of his death, as well as a tattoo that read “Shhh….” on the inside of his finger, according to the report. Two other fingers were missing, as were parts of his arms and legs.
Toxicology tests on the liver showed a low level of alcohol, but the report said that may have been due to postmortem chemical changes and did not appear to be the cause.
American singer D4vd pleaded not guilty Monday to manslaughter in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose body was found mutilated and mutilated in September in his locked Tesla.
LA County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey C. Ukpo has tried to emphasize his agency’s independence in law enforcement and make its work as visible to the public as possible since he assumed the job three years ago.
He said that he does not believe that withholding reports on the work of his office is helpful in the investigation and said that he will only withhold reports if he is forced to by a court order.
“After several months, I am grateful that this information can be released, not only to the public, but also to the bereaved family,” Ukpo said in a statement on Wednesday. “It’s strange that they waited so long to find out what happened to their daughter.”
D4vd, nicknamed “David,” has gained popularity among younger fans for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with a hit Killing with Lovewhich reached number 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. He released his first EP Petals on Thorns and tracking, The Lost Petalsin 2023.
His first full-length album, Witheredwas released last year, two days after the day prosecutors estimate Rivas Hernandez was killed.
