Toxicology report reveals Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s final hours
The autopsy and toxicology report on Celeste Rivas Hernandez has finally surfaced, painting a grim picture of her final hours before the 14-year-old was allegedly killed and dismembered. Released in April 2026 after murder charges against rising singer d4vd, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s findings confirm homicide by multiple penetrating injuries with no contributing substances. The document arrives amid a case that has shaken the music industry and renewed scrutiny on celebrity accountability in Los Angeles.
Discovery of remains
Decomposed body parts turned up on September 8, 2025, inside a Tesla trunk parked in a Los Angeles residential garage. The remains weighed just 71 pounds after advanced decomposition erased any chance of visual identification or fingerprints. Both upper extremities were severed above the elbows and both lower extremities above the knees, with the left ring and pinky fingers missing entirely.
Investigators later matched the vehicle’s data to d4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. The discovery triggered an immediate security hold on the autopsy report while detectives built their case. That hold lasted until charges were filed, keeping forensic specifics under wraps for months.
Public fascination grew during the wait, fueled by online speculation and true crime forums that often outpace official timelines. The gruesome details emerging now have only intensified calls for transparency in high-profile investigations involving entertainers with Gen Z followings.
Penetrating torso wounds
The medical examiner documented two distinct penetrating wounds to the torso with smooth edges consistent with sharp force trauma. One measured roughly 1.5 inches deep in the right abdomen, perforating the liver. The second struck the left chest about two inches deep, fracturing ribs along its path.
These injuries align with prosecutors’ allegations that Burke stabbed Celeste Rivas Hernandez multiple times on April 23, 2025, then stood by as she bled out. The report explicitly rules the manner of death homicide, removing any ambiguity about accidental causes or self-inflicted harm.
Absence of defensive wounds noted in the summary suggests the attack may have been sudden. Forensic pathologists emphasize that such torso strikes often lead to rapid internal bleeding, a detail that underscores the brutality described in charging documents.
Toxicology findings explained
Liver tissue tested positive for a low level of ethanol, though experts attribute this either to postmortem changes or possible ingestion that played no role in her death. Initial screens flagged presumptive positives for benzodiazepines, methamphetamines, and MDMA, yet confirmatory testing ruled out MDMA and benzodiazepines entirely.
Other potential substances proved inconclusive because decomposition interfered with standard lab methods. The report stresses that none of the detected elements contributed to Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s cause of death, focusing attention solely on the penetrating injuries.
This clarity matters in court, where toxicological data can sway narratives around consent, impairment, or diminished capacity. Prosecutors have avoided leaning on substances, instead highlighting patterns of alleged grooming and control that began years earlier.
Timeline of alleged events
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, the fatal encounter occurred April 23, 2025, after text messages revealed Burke’s jealousy and fear that Celeste Rivas Hernandez might expose their relationship. He allegedly dismembered her body on May 5 inside a garage using tools purchased under a false name, including chainsaws and a body bag.
Remains stayed hidden in the Tesla until September, a period during which Burke continued public appearances, including a Coachella set. Post-death activity on her phone, including calls and texts from his devices, forms part of the digital evidence prosecutors plan to present.
Preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 26, 2026. The extended gap between death and discovery allowed decomposition to advance, complicating identification but ultimately yielding the forensic details now public.
Special circumstances charged
Burke faces first-degree murder with special circumstances including lying in wait, murder for financial gain, and killing a witness. Additional counts cover continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and mutilation of human remains, each carrying severe penalties in California courts.
Prosecutors allege the motive centered on protecting his burgeoning music career. Texts from the day before the alleged killing show threats tied to her potential disclosure, framing the homicide as calculated rather than impulsive.
Financial gain specifications reference revenue streams from streaming platforms and live dates that could have evaporated if the relationship became public. Legal analysts note these enhancements significantly raise the stakes, potentially exposing Burke to life without parole.
Defense response so far
Burke pleaded not guilty on April 20, 2026, and remains in custody without bail. His attorney Blair Berk stated that evidence will show he neither murdered Celeste Rivas Hernandez nor caused her death, signaling an aggressive challenge to both forensic and circumstantial links.
The defense has questioned the reliability of decomposed evidence and suggested alternative explanations for the Tesla’s movements. They also dispute interpretations of text messages, arguing context has been lost in the rush to judgment.
High-profile representation indicates Burke’s team recognizes the court of public opinion as much as the courtroom itself. Past celebrity cases in Los Angeles demonstrate how early narratives can influence jury pools long before trial.
Impact on music career
Known for platinum TikTok breakout “Romantic Homicide,” Burke had built a devoted following among younger listeners drawn to his moody, internet-native sound. Coachella 2025 marked a career peak that abruptly ended once the remains were identified.
Streaming numbers initially spiked from morbid curiosity before labels distanced themselves. Tour dates were quietly canceled, and festival bookers removed his name from lineups still in flux months later.
The case highlights risks inherent in the rapid ascent of social media stars who transition to major stages without traditional industry safeguards. Insiders whisper that similar stories circulate on the awards season circuit, though few reach this level of alleged violence.
Media coverage patterns
Initial reporting treated the disappearance as a missing persons case until the Tesla discovery shifted tone dramatically. True crime podcasts and YouTube channels dissected every leaked detail, often blending verified facts with speculation that complicated the official investigation.
Outlets like Rolling Stone and local NBC affiliates focused on forensic releases, while tabloids emphasized the age disparity and alleged grooming. Coverage cooled during the report’s security hold but reignited with the April 2026 charges.
Public reaction split between fans defending Burke on social platforms and advocates demanding justice for victims of exploitation in entertainment circles. The sober release of autopsy data has grounded much of the conversation in medical reality rather than rumor.
Broader implications for youth safety
Celeste Rivas Hernandez met Burke at age 11, according to prosecutors, with alleged sexual abuse beginning when she turned 13 and he was 18. The case exposes vulnerabilities in online fandoms where parasocial bonds can escalate into real-world harm.
Los Angeles authorities note increased awareness campaigns targeting grooming via direct messages and private Discord servers popular with music fans. Similar patterns appear in other recent high-profile matters involving performers and underage admirers.
Advocates argue the delayed toxicology and autopsy release, while necessary for investigative integrity, left families in prolonged uncertainty. The final report at least provides some closure on the medical questions surrounding her last hours.
What the report confirms
By establishing homicide through sharp force trauma and eliminating substances as factors, the toxicology and autopsy data narrow defense options and strengthen the prosecution’s theory of premeditation. Decomposition details further corroborate the timeline of concealment alleged in court filings.
Going forward, this forensic foundation will shape evidentiary hearings and any eventual trial. For those following the intersecting worlds of viral music and true crime, the document stands as a stark reminder that fame offers no shield against accountability when the evidence accumulates this decisively.
