D4vd Case Autopsy Update: What the Medical Examiner Revealed About Celeste Rivas

The ongoing investigation into the tragic death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has entered a critical phase as officials await the final results of the autopsy. Rivas’s body was discovered on September 8, 2025, inside a Tesla registered to musician D4vd in Los Angeles, a discovery that has sparked national attention and ongoing speculation.

Authorities have confirmed that the cause of death remains officially “deferred,” meaning the autopsy has been completed but further toxicology and forensic tests are necessary before determining how and why Rivas died. Until those results are finalized, investigators have stopped short of classifying the case as a homicide.

Autopsy Findings and Current Status in the D4vd Case

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has listed the date of death as September 8 — the same day Rivas’s body was found in the trunk of the Tesla. However, investigators believe she may have died weeks earlier. The advanced state of decomposition has made it difficult to pinpoint the exact time and cause of death.

According to officials, Rivas was reported missing in 2024, and the discovery came just a day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Employees at the towing facility first raised the alarm after noticing a strong odor coming from the impounded vehicle. When they opened the trunk, they found human remains later identified as Rivas.

Authorities have confirmed that the body was found inside the vehicle, but it remains unclear whether Rivas died there or if her body was placed inside after death. No definitive signs of trauma have been shared with the public, and investigators have declined to comment on widespread speculation about possible dismemberment. Reports initially described only a head and torso being recovered, but the official autopsy document does not use the word “dismemberment.”

Law enforcement also executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills residence where D4vd — whose real name is David Anthony Burke — had been staying. Electronic devices were seized for forensic analysis, though no arrests have been made. Authorities emphasize that D4vd has not been named a suspect and is cooperating fully with the investigation.

After examination, Rivas’s remains were released to her family, who held a private funeral service in early October. The investigation, however, remains active, with detectives awaiting the results of toxicology and other specialized forensic tests.

Public Reaction and What Comes Next

The unresolved autopsy findings have fueled widespread speculation online, with social media platforms flooded by theories and public debate about the case. Fans and critics alike have dissected D4vd’s public persona and past work, though officials urge the public to avoid speculation until official results are released.

The Los Angeles Police Department has stated that the case cannot be treated as a homicide without a confirmed cause of death. Forensic teams are now focused on examining the vehicle, digital devices, and potential communication records that could shed light on Rivas’s final days.

In the short term, the investigation’s outcome depends heavily on pending toxicology results and forensic evidence. In the long term, those findings could determine whether the case shifts toward a criminal prosecution or is ruled accidental or otherwise non-criminal in nature.

As the D4vd case autopsy update shows, authorities are proceeding carefully. Until the medical examiner issues a conclusive report, the full truth behind Celeste Rivas’s death remains unknown.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What does “autopsy deferred” mean in the D4vd case?

“Deferred” means the autopsy is complete, but additional tests such as toxicology and histology are still pending before the cause of death can be determined.

Q2: Was there evidence of foul play in the autopsy results?

No official confirmation has been made. Authorities have not disclosed any signs of trauma or dismemberment, and decomposition has complicated the findings.

Q3: When was Celeste Rivas’s body discovered?

The body was found on September 8, 2025, inside a Tesla registered to singer D4vd. It was later confirmed to be Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing since 2024.

Q4: Why hasn’t D4vd been charged?

Without a confirmed cause of death, investigators say there is insufficient evidence to bring charges against anyone. D4vd has not been named a suspect and is cooperating with authorities.

Q5: What is the next step in the investigation?

Authorities are waiting for toxicology and other forensic test results. They will also analyze seized electronic devices and vehicle evidence to reconstruct the circumstances surrounding Rivas’s death.

References

Associated Press. (2025). Body of teen girl found in D4vd’s impounded Tesla identified. September 19, 2025.

The Guardian. (2025). Body of missing teen found in D4vd’s Tesla likely ‘dead for several weeks,’ say police. September 29, 2025.

People. (2025). Police following ‘several leads’ after missing teen girl found dead in singer D4vd’s car. September 19, 2025.