Medical Examiner Testifies on Fatal Injuries of Teen Girl

WHO:

AP News - The victim is 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

AP News - The autopsy was performed by Dr. Grant Ho of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

AP News - The defendant is D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke.

AP News - Rivas Hernandez’s parents were present in the building but stayed outside the courtroom during the testimony.

WHAT:

AP News - Celeste Rivas Hernandez was killed by two sharp force wounds to her upper body.

AP News - Her dismembered and decomposing body was found in the trunk of a Tesla.

AP News - The preliminary hearing began on a Tuesday to determine if D4vd should go to trial.

AP News - Toxicology tests showed a low level of alcohol and inconclusive results for methamphetamine.

AP News - D4vd has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, sexual abuse of a child, and mutilation of a body.

WHERE:

AP News - The body was discovered in a Tesla towed from the Hollywood Hills.

AP News - The autopsy took place in Los Angeles County.

WHEN:

AP News - Rivas Hernandez was believed to have been killed in April 2025.

AP News - Her body was discovered in September 2025.

AP News - Rivas Hernandez would have turned 15 the day after her body was found.

WHY:

AP News - Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from revealing their sexual history.

HOW:

AP News - Dr. Grant Ho stated that it would take "minutes, at least" for someone to lose enough blood to die from the injuries.

AP News - The defense suggested other potential causes of death, including an overdose or self-inflicted injuries.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 22:21 UTC)

The preliminary hearing has begun to determine if D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, should go to trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose dismembered body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla towed from the Hollywood Hills. Prosecutors allege that Burke killed Rivas Hernandez to prevent her from revealing their sexual history, and the autopsy revealed she died from two sharp force wounds to her upper body. While Burke has pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and mutilation of a body, the defense has raised alternative theories regarding her death, suggesting it could have been an overdose or self-inflicted injuries.