D4vd Case: Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Cause of Death Revealed
Content warning: This story graphic descriptions of an alleged murder.
D4vd’s legal journey continues.
The singer (real name David Anthony Burke) appeared in court three days after he was charged with one count of murder, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and one count of unlawful mutilation of human remains regarding the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. (He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.)
During the April 23 hearing, per NBC News, deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County Beth Silverman alleged the prosecution has discovered a "significant amount" of child sex abuse images on an iCloud account belonging to D4vd. As of the time of the hearing, only one terabyte of the eight on the account had been downloaded.
The prosecution noted that protocol doesn’t allow them to turn over the sensitive images to D4vd’s team, but that defense attorneys can review the evidence on a secure computer in the justice center.
E! News has reached out to attorneys for D4vd for comment but has not yet heard back.
Previously, his legal team expressed its commitment to proving his innocence in Celeste’s death.
"The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death," his attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter told E! News in an April 20 statement. "We will vigorously defend David’s innocence."
Absent from the hearing were members of Celeste’s family. Ahead of the court date, they told TMZ through their attorney that they were suffering “profound emotional pain” after reviewing the “horrible and gruesome” autopsy findings, which were released on April 22.
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A news release shared by the County of Los Angeles’ Medical Examiner confirmed the manner of death for Celeste, whose body was found the day after 15th birthday, to be “multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s)” and that the manner of death was homicide.
The autopsy report, obtained by E! News, specified the penetrating wounds were on Celeste’s left chest and upper abdomen, and that there were presumptive positives for benzodiazepines (a medication used to treat anxiety and seizures) and methamphetamine/MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly) in the teenager’s system.
While the cause and manner of death were determined in December, per the release, a court order originating with the LAPD prevented the Department of Medical Examiner from releasing its findings until now.
“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,” read a statement from Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo in the release. “It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter.”
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D4vd was arrested on suspicion of Celeste’s murder on April 16, seven months after her remains were found in a Tesla registered in his name.
In addition to his charges of murder, sexual abuse and mutilation of human remains, the criminal complaint against the “Romantic Homicide” singer also includes a “special allegation” that he “personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime.”
In an April 20 press release, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman shared further insight into D4vd’s alleged crimes.
“Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” he said in the release. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car.”
D4vd remains in custody without bail as the legal process progresses.
For more insight into D4vd’s history and rise to fame before his arrest, read on.
Instagram/D4vd
Where is D4vd From?
Born in Queens, New York, D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke) moved to Houston, Texas, when he was 13 years old.
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How Did D4vd Become Famous?
D4vd first began his career as a streamer, playing Fortnite and other games in an attempt to go viral on YouTube. When he ran into copyright infringement challenges with the music he was adding to his videos in 2021, he turned to his mom.
“I'm like crying to Mom about it,” he told Benny Blanco during an interview for Hero magazine in September 2024. “I'm like, Yo, I don't know what to do I'm not making any money anymore, blah blah blah.’ And she was on a phone, and she was like, ‘Just make your own music, go get out of my face.’ And I was like, ‘Wait a minute. I could probably do that.'"
From there, despite not having any musical experience other than singing for fun, D4vd downloaded an app on his phone and started making music. Soon, some of his songs went viral, and after more of his original music started to go viral on TikTok, his career began to really take off.
The 20-year-old eventually released his debut album, Withered, in April 2025, embarking on his first world tour shortly thereafter.
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Riot / Netflix
When Was the Body Found in D4vd’s Car?
On Sept. 8, the Los Angeles Police Department was called to a tow yard in Hollywood over reports of a foul odor coming from a vehicle, law enforcement sources told NBC News.
The LAPD found human remains wrapped in a bag hidden in the front trunk of a Tesla, which was registered in Hempstead, Texas, under D4vd’s real name, David Anthony Burke.
Police said the vehicle had been towed to the impound lot after it was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Made on YouTube 2024
Who Was the Victim Found in D4vd’s Car?
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office September 16 said the remains found in the Tesla were identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing on April 5, 2024. She was 13 years old at the time of her disappearance and officials believe she died when she was 14.
Her manner of death was announced in April 2026 as homicide, while her cause of death was determined to be “multiple penetrating injuries” to her chest and abdomen, including an injury to her liver, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's report obtained by E! News. Though her death was officially pronounced September 8—the day her body was discovered—officials noted her body appeared to have been in the car for an extended period of time before its discovery and was “severely decomposed.”
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What Has D4vd Said About the Investigation?
Following the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s body, a spokesperson for D4vd said in a statement to NBC News that the singer "has been informed about what’s happened, and although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities."
Since then, D4vd canceled the remainder of his U.S. dates.
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
What Happened in the Case?
D4vd was arrested for Rivas Hernandez's murder, the Los Angeles Police Department announced April 16, 2026.
“Detectives from Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division have arrested David Burke, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, for the murder of Celeste Rivas," the public information officer stated on X. "Burke is being held without bail.”
Antoine Flament/Getty Images
What Was D4vd Charged With?
D4vd was charged with one count of murder, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and one count of unlawful mutilation of human remains, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed in an April 20 press release.
“Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car. There the dismembered body sat for over four months decomposing until it was found at a tow yard on Sept. 8, 2025. This horrific and gruesome murder committed by the charged sexual predator is shocking and appalling. To Celeste’s loved ones, we will get the justice you seek and deserve.”
The criminal complaint against D4vd also “includes special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain and lying in wait.” Additionally, there is a “special allegation” that he “personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime.”
D4vd's attorney's denied he was the cause of her death, telling E! News in an April 20 statement, "We will vigorously defend David’s innocence."
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