EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
The seventh-grade girl whom singer d4vd is accused of killing and dismembering died of “multiple penetrating wounds,” according to an autopsy report released Wednesday.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, had wounds to her chest and abdomen that “may represent sharp force injuries,” the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office said in the report, which was signed in December but sealed for months at the request of authorities.
A tattoo that reads “Shhh…” was found on the inside of his right index finger, according to the autopsy report, similar to a tattoo d4vd has on his finger.
Celeste had two fingers removed from her left hand.
The findings revealed more gruesome details seven months after Celeste’s dismembered remains were found in DVD’s Tesla in Los Angeles. The vehicle was apparently abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and towed to a police depot, where an employee noticed a foul odor emanating from the trunk last September and alerted authorities.
Celeste had been reported missing by family and friends several times, dating back to early 2024. She and d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared together on a Twitch live stream in January. Between then and March 2024, he was photographed getting out of a black Tesla near the seventh-grader’s home.
Celeste was also photographed backstage at one of her shows in Los Angeles in June 2024. She was last seen alive going to d4vd’s house in April 2025.
Prosecutors allege that d4vd had a sexual relationship with Celeste and killed her “when she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his music career,” according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
The singer was arrested last week and pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder. CNN has asked d4vd’s lawyers for comment on the autopsy report.
At a hearing Thursday, a year after Celeste was last seen alive, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said evidence against the singer includes “a significant amount of child pornography” on Burke’s iPhone, as well as wiretaps and up to 40 terabytes of data obtained by multiple law enforcement agencies.
“We are eager to set a trial date,” Silverman said in court.
Burke was brought into court wearing a bright orange jumpsuit and leg and arm shackles, which an officer removed after he sat down. He spent most of the time staring at the defense table in front of him, except when the judge addressed him directly.
Burke’s defense asked to postpone the preliminary hearing, which had been set for Thursday, because it is awaiting evidence from the prosecution. The hearing is now set for May 1.
Under the law, evidence of child pornography cannot be obtained without adhering to a certain court protocol, Silverman said.
Celeste’s arms and legs had been cut, and fragments of blue plastic were “embedded in the cut surfaces” and presented as evidence, the report details.
There were also abrasions on the skin, but the medical examiner could not determine the causes due to the severe decomposition of the body.
The injuries described were more consistent with stabbings and the girl was likely dismembered after her death, said Dr. Priya Banerjee, a certified forensic pathologist who reviewed the report that was made public and is not involved in the case.
“This is a very difficult case because of the decomposition,” Banerjee said. “It seems likely that a knife did (the wounds), but I can see why they used the words they did, given the condition of the body.”
Alcohol was also detected in his system, but the medical examiner said it is unclear if it was present due to ingestion or decomposition.
The autopsy results have caused “deep emotional pain” to Celeste’s loved ones, a family attorney said in a statement.
“The Rivas Hernández family is absolutely devastated by the findings contained in the medical examiner’s report regarding the horrible and gruesome death of their beloved daughter,” the statement said. “They respectfully ask for privacy, understanding and patience as they process this information.”
Details of the case had been withheld when authorities convened a grand jury and withheld the results of the investigation from the public.
“After several months, I am grateful that this information can now be released, not only to the public, but also to the grieving family who are grieving the loss,” Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said in a statement.
“It is incomprehensible that they had to wait so long to find out what happened to their daughter.”
D4vd pleaded not guilty this Monday to charges of first-degree murder under special circumstances, continued sexual abuse of a minor under 14 years of age and mutilation of human remains.
D4vd’s lawyer said his client is innocent.
“The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernández and he was not the cause of her death,” attorney Blair Berk said after the singer’s indictment. “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”