Celeste Rivas Hernandez Died of ‘Multiple Penetrating Injuries,’ Medical Examiner Says
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Celeste Rivas Hernandez died from multiple penetrating injuries caused by objects, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report, which confirmed her death as a homicide.
- Her severely decomposed body, found last fall in the trunk of singer D4vd’s (David Burke) Tesla, showed two penetrating torso wounds, dismemberment, and multiple skin defects.
- Prosecutors charged David Burke, 21, with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains; Burke has pleaded not guilty and denies causing Celeste’s death.
- A judge had previously placed a security hold on the medical examiner’s report at the police's request, delaying its release despite objections from the chief medical examiner.
- The investigation into Celeste’s death has been ongoing for over seven months, with the report officially determining the cause and manner of death on December 9, 2025.
