The family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the teen whom D4vd is accused of killing, has shared a new statement following the release of a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
The report, a redacted version of which was shared on Wednesday (April 22) after previously being held from public release due to a court order, listed the manner of death as homicide, with “multiple penetrating injuries” determined as the cause.
In a statement shared alongside the redacted report’s release, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said he was “grateful” to be able to make this information public.
“It is unfathomable [the family has] had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter,” Dr. Ukpo added. “The transparency of the information contained in our findings and reports is essential for empowering the community to make informed changes to affectively reduce fear and allowing the community to take informed action.”
The details included in the report, as expected, are graphic. In response, a new statement from the Rivas Hernandez family has been shared via their legal rep, Patrick Steinfeld.
"The Rivas Hernandez family is absolutely devastated by the findings contained in the Medical Examiner’s report involving the horrible and gruesome death of their beloved daughter,” the statement reads, per Los Angeles magazine reporter Lauren Conlin. “These findings have caused profound emotional pain for the family.”
The statement continues: "They respectfully ask for privacy, understanding, and patience as they process this information. Jesus and Mercedes will not attend David Anthony Burke’s hearing tomorrow. The Rivas Hernandez family sincerely appreciates the community’s support and concern.”
Complex has reached out to Steinfeld for additional comment. This story may be updated.
21-year-old D4vd, born David Burke, is charged with murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains. When detailing the charges to the press, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman referred to the Withered artist as a “charged sexual predator,” calling the murder “horrific and gruesome” in nature.
“Celeste was just a child, under 14 years old, when David Burke allegedly engaged in repeated lewd and lascivious sexual relations with her,” Hochman said earlier this week. “But Burke’s actions did not allegedly stop there. When she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and devastate his musical career, Burke allegedly murdered her, cut up her body and stuffed her body in two bags that were placed in the front trunk of his car.”
As previously reported, D4vd has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys—including Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski, and Regina Peter—argued in a recent statement to media outlets that evidence in the case will show that their client “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez.”
If convicted as charged, D4vd faces a potential death sentence, or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Per Hochman’s office, a decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be finalized later.
