Autopsy Confirms 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Died from Sharp-Object Injuries; D4vd Charged in Murder Case
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl, died from penetrating injuries caused by a sharp object, according to an autopsy report released in April 2026. Her dismembered and decomposed remains were discovered in September 2025 in the trunk of a Tesla linked to musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke (also reported as David Anthony Burke). He has been charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a dead body, to which he pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege the killing occurred in April 2025 after Hernandez threatened to expose a sexual relationship that began when she was 13. The autopsy report was initially sealed at law enforcement’s request but later released. While both sources agree on core facts, Daily Mail adds toxicology results (benzodiazepines and methamphetamine in her system), specifies the date of death, and details legal strategies, including potential death penalty eligibility. CTV News emphasizes institutional transparency, quoting the medical examiner on the importance of public access to autopsy findings.
Both sources report on the same criminal case with overlapping core facts, but differ in emphasis, detail, and framing. CTV News focuses on the procedural and institutional aspects of the autopsy report’s delayed release, highlighting transparency and the medical examiner’s independence. Daily Mail emphasizes forensic specifics, legal strategy, and potential penalties. Neither source appears to contradict the other factually, but their selective inclusions shape distinct narratives.
- ✓ Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl found dead in the trunk of a Tesla in the Hollywood Hills.
- ✓ Her body was dismembered and significantly decomposed at the time of discovery.
- ✓ She died from penetrating injuries caused by a sharp object.
- ✓ D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke (or David Anthony Burke), was charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a person under 14, and mutilating a dead body.
- ✓ Burke pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- ✓ The criminal complaint alleges that Burke killed Hernandez because she threatened to expose a sexual relationship that began when she was 13.
- ✓ The autopsy report was initially sealed by a judge at law enforcement’s request but was later released.
- ✓ Hernandez had braces and a tattoo reading 'Shhh....' on her finger.
- ✓ Parts of her arms, legs, and fingers were missing.
Cause and manner of death details
States that the cause of death was 'penetrating injuries' and that significant wounds to the torso were likely caused by a sharp object, pronounced “David,” gained popularity among young fans for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit “Romantic Homicide
Specifies that she sustained a knife wound to the liver and chest, adding forensic specificity not present in CTV News.
Toxicology findings
Does not mention any toxicology results or presence of drugs in the victim’s system.
Reports that benzodiazepines and methamphetamine were detected in her liver.
Legal strategy and procedural rights
Mentions the defense’s general claim of innocence but does not detail legal tactics.
Highlights the defense attorney’s request for a public preliminary hearing and notes that Burke did not waive his right to a hearing within 10 court days, a rare legal move.
Potential penalties
Does not mention sentencing implications or special circumstances.
Notes that the murder charge includes special circumstances (lying in wait, financial gain, witness elimination) that could make the case eligible for the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided.
Institutional context of report release
Provides extensive context on Dr. Odey C. Ukpo’s policy of transparency and his opposition to sealing autopsy reports, including a direct quote emphasizing the family’s right to know.
Does not mention the medical examiner’s stance on transparency or any institutional critique of report sealing.
Victim’s status prior to death
Does not describe her as a 'runaway'.
Refers to authorities describing her as a 'runaway' when she was killed.
Exact date of death
Does not specify a date.
States she was killed 'on or around April 23, 2025'.
Defendant’s full name
Names him as David Burke.
Names him as David Anthony Burke.
Daily Mail
Framing: Daily Mail frames the event as a high-stakes criminal case with forensic, legal, and moral dimensions. It emphasizes the brutality of the crime, the defendant’s potential motives, and the procedural drama surrounding the case, including rare legal maneuvers by the defense.
Tone: Sensational and forensic, with a focus on shock value and legal gravity
Sensationalism: The headline uses emotionally charged language ('Horrific injuries') to evoke a strong emotional response.
"Horrific injuries that killed Celeste Rivas"
Appeal To Emotion: Describes the body as 'partially skeletonized and missing an eye' without contextualizing the decomposition timeline, potentially amplifying shock value.
"By the time investigators discovered her remains her head was partially skeletonized and missing an eye"
Framing By Emphasis: Includes toxicology findings (benzodiazepines and methamphetamine) that could imply victim culpability or lifestyle factors, though no causal link to death is suggested.
"Benzodiazepines and Methamphetamine were detected in her liver"
Framing By Emphasis: Mentions special circumstances that could lead to the death penalty, drawing attention to maximum possible consequences.
"could carry the death penalty"
Narrative Framing: Describes the victim as a 'runaway' based on authorities’ characterization, which may subtly shift blame or context.
"Authorities described her as a 'runaway'"
Framing By Emphasis: Cites the defense attorney’s statement about wanting evidence 'in the light of day,' suggesting possible transparency issues in the prosecution.
"'We would like to have the evidence come into the light of day.'"
CTV News
Framing: CTV News frames the event as a legally and institutionally significant case, emphasizing the delayed release of the autopsy report and the medical examiner’s push for transparency. It presents the facts in a procedural, almost bureaucratic tone, focusing on the timeline and official actions.
Tone: Clinical and procedural, with a focus on institutional accountability and factual reporting
Balanced Reporting: Headline is fact-based and avoids emotionally loaded terms, focusing on the cause of death and legal status.
"Celeste Rivas Hernandez, girl who singer D4vd is charged with killing, died from penetrating wounds"
Proper Attribution: Includes a direct quote from the Chief Medical Examiner emphasizing transparency and the family’s right to know, adding institutional context.
"“After several months, I am grateful this information can now be released...”"
Comprehensive Sourcing: Notes the judge’s initial sealing order and the prosecution’s later agreement to release, providing procedural clarity.
"A judge had ordered the report sealed in November... But prosecutors agreed this week to allow its release."
Comprehensive Sourcing: Describes D4vd’s musical rise and fanbase, contextualizing his public profile without editorializing.
"D4vd, pronounced “David,” gained popularity among young fans for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop."
Omission: Avoids mentioning drugs in the victim’s system or labeling her as a 'runaway,' focusing instead on the medical and legal facts.
"She had braces at the time of her death, and a tattoo that read “Shhh....”"
CTV News
CTV News provides a more detailed account of the legal and institutional context surrounding the delayed release of the autopsy report, includes a direct quote from the Chief Medical Examiner emphasizing transparency, and elaborates on the defendant’s public persona and musical rise. It also includes information about the judge’s initial sealing order and the prosecution’s eventual agreement to release the report, offering a fuller procedural timeline.
Daily Mail
Daily Mail includes unique details such as the detection of benzodiazepines and methamphetamine in the victim’s liver, the specific mention of special circumstances that could lead to the death penalty, and the defense attorney’s request for a public preliminary hearing. However, it lacks the broader institutional framing and context about the medical examiner’s office policy on report transparency, and its narrative is more condensed.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, girl who singer D4vd is charged with killing, died from penetrating wounds
Horrific injuries that killed Celeste Rivas, 14, revealed by medical examiner after rapper D4vd was charged with her murder