Celeste Rivas’ cause of death has been revealed just days after R&B singer D4vd was charged with murder in connection to her untimely death.
According to an autopsy performed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the 14-year-old died from “multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s),” according to a press release shared with multiple media outlets, including Us Weekly, on Wednesday, April 22.
A medical examiner’s report obtained by Us on Wednesday showed that Rivas suffered “two penetrating wounds” in her torso, as well as “bilateral dismemberment” of her “upper and lower extremities” and “multiple additional skin defects.”
A subsequent toxicology report showed that the teen tested “presumptive positive” for benzodiazepines, methamphetamines and MDMA at the time of her death, in addition to alcohol. Per the report, an additional test is required to confirm the positive test. Per People, methamphetamine and designer opioids were “inconclusive due to interfering substance(s)” on a second drug screening, while MDA and benzodiazepines were not positively detected.
The child’s death was ruled a homicide.
Rivas’ body was found on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd, real name is David Anthony Burke. The cause of death was initially deferred following the medical examiner’s investigation.
“A deputy medical examiner completed an examination but requested additional testing and/or studies in order to make a determination,” the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner told KTLA on September 29. “Due to the ongoing death investigation, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner cannot disclose what testing and/or studies were requested. Deferred cases can take a few months before a cause of death is determined.”
The medical examiner’s preliminary investigation determined that Rivas was not pregnant at the time of her death or in the past year. Rivas, who was 15, was initially reported missing in April 2024, but her case did not gain nationwide attention until her body was found. Authorities later determined that she may have been dead “several weeks” before the discovery of the impounded Tesla that contained her remains.
D4vd’s Tesla was cited for a parking violation on September 3 and impounded two days later. Authorities discovered Rivas’ body on September 8 after a foul smell began emanating from the vehicle.
Police confirmed to NBC News that they searched a home near where the body was found in connection with the case. Though D4vd does not own the property, he had allegedly been staying there before his tour, per ABC News.
At the time of the discovery, D4vd was on tour. He subsequently canceled the rest of his tour dates and postponed the deluxe release of his album Withered. He has not been charged with a crime or named as a suspect in Rivas’ death. A spokesperson for D4vd told NBC News on September 17 that he is “fully cooperating with the authorities.”
D4vd was arrested on Thursday, April 16, in connection to Rivas’ murder. Us confirmed the singer, 21, is being held without bail.
D4vd’s attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter addressed the news via a statement to TMZ.
“Let us be clear — 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,” the statement read. “There has been no indictment returned by any grand jury in this case and no criminal complaint filed.”
They added, “David has only been detained under suspicion. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”
Us reached out to D4vd’s attorneys at the time for comment.
Rivas’ mother told TMZ in a story published September 17 that her daughter had a boyfriend named David and that she had a tattoo on her finger reading, “Shhhh.” D4vd has the same tattoo.
After the discovery of Rivas’ body, her family created a GoFundMe page to pay for her funeral expenses.
“As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week,” the family wrote in a statement in September. “She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss.”
They eventually raised more than $24,000, for the funeral, which they said would be held on Sunday, October 5.
