Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who singer d4vd is charged with killing, died of ‘multiple penetrating injuries,’ autopsy finds

Krdo · Apr 22, 2026 · 764 words · By CNN Newssource

Criminal Investigation/Death Details Legal Proceedings and Defense

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What to know about Criminal Investigation/Death Details

Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who singer d4vd is charged with killing, died of ‘multiple penetrating injuries,’ autopsy finds By Andi Babineau, CNN (CNN) — The 14-year-old girl singer d4vd is charged with killing and dismembering died of “multiple penetrating…

Claims checked 18

Techniques found 3

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center75%

Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Why it matters

The findings shed more light on Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death months after the teen was discovered in the front trunk of d4vd’s Tesla last September in Los Angeles.

Common ground

The vehicle had apparently been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and was towed to a police impound lot, where an employee noticed a foul smell coming from the trunk and alerted authorities.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Appeal to Anger, Selective Omission: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Criminal Investigation/Death Details story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Additional skin abrasions are noted, though the medical examiner could not determine the causes because of the severe decomposition of the body?
How does this story connect Criminal Investigation/Death Details with Legal Proceedings and Defense over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://krdo.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2026/04/22/celeste-rivas-herna…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Appeal to Anger 70% confidence

Provoking outrage to bypass rational evaluation of an argument.

Why it matters: Recognizing appeal to anger helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Selective Omission 60% confidence

Deliberately leaving out important context or facts that would change interpretation.

Why it matters: Recognizing selective omission helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 18 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 8

check_circle Corroborated 6

help Insufficient Evidence 2

info Single Source 2

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Claim 1: “Additional skin abrasions are noted, though the medical examiner could not determine the causes because of the severe decomposition of the body.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was gathered from the provided evidence sources for this claim.

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Claim 2: “She and d4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, appeared together in a Twitch livestream that January, and between then and March 2024, he was photographed getting out of a black Tesla near the seventh grader’s home.”

CORROBORATED

One web search result directly corroborates the claim that Celeste and d4vd appeared together in a Twitch livestream in January, and that d4vd was photographed near the seventh grader's home between January and March 2024.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — David Anthony Burke (born March 28, 2005), known professionally as D4vd, is an American singer-songwriter. Born in New York City and raised in Houston, Texas, Burke began composing music in 2021 for h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D4vd

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On September 8, 2025, the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in Los Angeles, California, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to David Burke, a musician …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Celeste_Rivas_Herna…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Petals to Thorns is the debut extended play by American singer-songwriter D4vd, released on May 26, 2023, through Darkroom and Interscope Records. The EP was primarily recorded in his sister's closet …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petals_to_Thorns

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 3: “Board Certified Forensic Pathologist Dr. Priya Banerjee, who reviewed the report that was made public and is not involved with the case, said the injuries described were most consistent with stabbing and the girl was likely dismembered after she died.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 4: “The findings shed more light on Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death months after the teen was discovered in the front trunk of d4vd’s Tesla last September in Los Angeles.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results confirm that Celeste Rivas Hernandez's remains were found in D4vd's Tesla, and that this discovery occurred 'last September' (or similar phrasing) in Los Angeles.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — "One More Dance" is a song by American singer-songwriter D4vd. It was released on February 7, 2025, as the second single from his debut studio album, Withered, under Darkroom and Interscope Records.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_More_Dance_(D4vd_song)

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “Celeste had been reported missing by family and friends multiple times beginning in early 2024.”

CORROBORATED

Two web search results specifically state that Celeste was reported missing multiple times in 2024. One source mentions 'three times in the final year of her life' and another specifies 'three incidents that occurred in early 2024'.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — "Romantic Homicide" is a bedroom pop song by American singer-songwriter D4vd. It was released on July 20, 2022, through DistroKid and later included as the second single from his debut EP, Petals to T…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_Homicide

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 6: “D4vd pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of first-degree murder with special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years old and mutilating human remains.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 7: “The 14-year-old girl singer d4vd is charged with killing and dismembering died of “multiple penetrating injuries,” according to an autopsy report released Wednesday.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results report that the cause of death was 'multiple penetrating injuries' according to the Medical Examiner's office, and that D4vd is charged in connection with the death. The claim's specific details (14-year-old, 'multiple penetrating injuries') are echoed across different search results citing the ME's report.

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+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 8: “She was last seen alive going to d4vd’s home in April 2025.”

SINGLE SOURCE

Only one web search result mentions Celeste being last seen alive going to d4vd's home in April 2025. While other sources mention April 2024 (Claim 5's evidence suggests this), the specific date and event in April 2025 is only supported by one source.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — On September 8, 2025, the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in Los Angeles, California, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, a m…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Celeste_Rivas_Hernand…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The findings shed more light on Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death months after the teen was discovered in the front trunk of d4vd’s Tesla last September in Los Angeles.She was last seen alive going to d…
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/22/us/d4vd-celeste-rivas-hernand…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found in the singer's car last year.Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore in California, had been missing and was last seen in April 2024, accordi…
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy9d57q09zo

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Claim 9: ““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. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence,” d4vd’s attorney, Blair Berk, said in a statement after his arraignment.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 10: “Celeste’s remains were in a zippered body bag and she had two wounds that “may represent sharp force injuries” – one to her chest and another to her abdomen, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was gathered from the provided evidence sources for this claim.

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Claim 11: “Two fingers had also been removed from her left hand.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 12: “The singer was arrested last week and has denied all wrongdoing, pleading not guilty on Monday.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results independently report that D4vd was charged with murder and that he pleaded not guilty. This is reported by different news outlets.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The singer D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the "brutal and horrific" death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered body was found in his towed Tesla last year, Los An…
https://abcnews.com/US/charges-expected-filed-monday-d4vd-al…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Singer D4vd has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of a 14-year-old girl who authorities say was found dismembered in his Tesla last year.
https://apnews.com/article/d4vd-charges-celeste-rivas-hernan…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The singer D4vd was charged with murder and other counts in connection with the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, prosecutors said.
https://abc7.com/post/d4vd-arrested-charges-expected-filed-t…

schedule

Claim 13: “Prosecutors allege he had a sexual relationship with Celeste and killed her “when she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career,” according to LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 14: “Alcohol was also detected in her system, though the medical examiner notes it’s unclear whether it’s present because of ingestion or decomposition.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 15: “A tattoo reading “Shhh….” was documented on the inside of her right index finger, according to the medical examiner’s report, similar to the tattoo d4vd has on his finger.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 16: “Celeste was also photographed backstage at one of his Los Angeles shows in June 2024.”

CORROBORATED

Two independent web search results confirm that Celeste was photographed backstage at a Los Angeles show in June 2024.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — The following is a list of notable people who were either born in, lived in, are current residents of, or are otherwise closely associated with the city or county of Los Angeles, California. Those not…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Los_Angele…

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 17: “Her arms and legs had been dismembered, and multiple blue plastic fragments were “embedded in the cut surfaces,” and submitted into evidence, the report details.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info

Claim 18: “Though it is unclear exactly when Celeste died, the report’s release comes months after the autopsy that ruled her death a homicide last December was ordered sealed at the request of law enforcement.”

SINGLE SOURCE

While multiple sources discuss the timing of the report release relative to the discovery, the specific detail that the autopsy ruling of homicide in December was 'ordered sealed at the request of law enforcement' is not independently corroborated across the provided web search results. The timing aspect is present, but the sealing detail is not confirmed by multiple sources.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Autopsy® is the premier end-to-end open source digital forensics platform. Built by Basis Technology with the core features you expect in commercial forensic tools, Autopsy is a fast, thorough, and ef…
https://www.autopsy.com/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Autopsy EXE is signed by Sleuth Kit Labs, LLC Bugs See the support page for details on reporting bugs. Announcements Announcements of new releases are tweeted from the @sleuthkit account and publi…
https://www.autopsy.com/download/

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Autopsy is the premier open source forensics platform which is fast, easy-to-use, and capable of analyzing all types of mobile devices and digital media. Its plug-in architecture enables extensibility…
https://www.autopsy.com/about/

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.