LOS ANGELES (KABC) — New details emerged in the murder case against singer D4vd as a status hearing is set for Thursday. This comes after the release of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s autopsy report that describes what prosecutors call a brutal killing.
Thursday’s hearing is a procedural check-in as prosecutors and defense attorneys determine next steps in the case involving the death of the teen. Thursday also marks one year since she was last known to be alive.
Although a preliminary hearing appears on Thursday’s court calendar, attorneys have said it will not go forward. Instead, the matter is being handled as a status conference – referred to as a “3 of 10” – that sets the stage for upcoming proceedings, including the exchange of evidence.
Prosecutors have said they have more than 40 terabytes of discovery to turn over, a volume they say could slow the case’s progress.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s autopsy report: What we know
Attention surrounding the case has intensified with Wednesday’s release of the autopsy report, which outlines how Celeste died.
According to the report, the cause and manner of death for the teen was listed as “multiple penetrating injuries caused by object(s).” The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
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According to the report, Celeste’s body weighed just 71 pounds when it was found dismembered in the front trunk of the Tesla.
The L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office said one stab wound was on her “right abdomen with (an) injury to (her) liver,” and a second stab wound was on her “left chest.”
Her body was found in what the medical examiner’s office investigators called an “advanced state of decomposition” and dismembered into several parts. Even “the left ring and pinky fingers appear to have been mutilated.”
Where her body was dismembered, the report says, “multiple fragments of blue plastic material are found embedded in the cut surfaces.”
The report also shows there were presumptive positives for benzodiazepines and methamphetamine/MDMA in her system.
Celeste’s family issued a statement through their attorney, saying they are devastated by the findings:
“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. These findings have caused profound emotional pain for the family. 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.”
The report does not include any evidence connecting D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, to Celeste’s death, but prosecutors who charged the singer with murder, mutilation of remains and continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 say they have a strong case through forensic and digital evidence.