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Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s autopsy reveals the devastating cause of death. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed on April 22, 2026, that the 15-year-old girl died from multiple penetrating injuries caused by sharp objects. The death was ruled a homicide, reopening public heartbreak over the case.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Cause of Death: Multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s), ruled homicide on April 22, 2026
- Body Discovery: Found dismembered in the trunk of a Tesla on September 8, 2025, at a Los Angeles tow yard
- Defendant: Singer D4vd, 21, charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances and mutilating a body
- Timeline Delay: Court order prevented release of findings for over 6 months due to ongoing investigation
The Victim and Tragic Circumstances
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was only 15 years old when her life was taken. According to investigators, she went to D4vd’s Hollywood Hills home in April 2025 and was never heard from again. Prosecutors allege that she was murdered on April 23, 2025, nearly six months before her remains were discovered.
The severity of decomposition made initial identification and autopsy analysis extremely challenging for forensic experts. Her body was found stuffed in two bags inside the vehicle’s trunk at an impounded location on September 8, 2025 at approximately 11:00 AM.
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Medical Examiner’s Official Findings
On April 22, 2026, after months of investigation and a court order lifting the seal on findings, the LA County Department of Medical Examiner released its determination. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo stated the family’s pain at the extended wait for answers. “It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long,” he said in an official statement.
Deputy Medical Examiner conducted a full examination on September 10, 2025, but the actual cause determination wasn’t finalized until December 9, 2025. A LAPD-initiated court order had previously sealed the findings pending the criminal investigation.
| Detail | Information |
| Victim Age | 15 years old |
| Date of Death | April 23, 2025 |
| Body Found | September 8, 2025 |
| Cause Ruling | Multiple penetrating injuries, homicide |
| Ruling Date | December 9, 2025 (Released April 22, 2026) |
“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. It is unfathomable they have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter.”
— Dr. Odey Ukpo, Chief Medical Examiner, LA County
The Prosecutor’s Case Against D4vd
District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed that prosecutors believe D4vd killed Celeste with a sharp instrument. The charging documents indicate that D4vd murdered her on April 23, 2025, and then mutilated her body on May 5, 2025. According to authorities, Celeste’s dismembered and decomposing remains stayed hidden in D4vd’s Tesla for four months before discovery.
Special circumstances included in the charges are lying in wait, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness to an investigation. The D.A.’s theory centers on Celeste threatening to expose an alleged sexual relationship with the musician, prompting him to eliminate her to preserve his career and public image.
What Happens Next for the Case?
D4vd now faces first-degree murder charges with potential death penalty consideration. He’s also charged with mutilating a body and lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14. The charging documents outline a relationship allegedly spanning from September 2023 through at least September 2024, covering her 13th and 14th birthdays.
D4vd pleaded not guilty to all charges on April 20, 2026, through his attorneys, who maintain “he was not the cause of her death.” The preliminary hearing is expected to reveal more evidence as the case moves forward. Public interest in this high-profile murder case continues to intensify as discovery details emerge.
