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Grand Jury Weighs Evidence in Celeste Rivas Case as LAPD Seals Autopsy Records

Evidence is now before an investigative grand jury, with autopsy records sealed by a judge at LAPD’s request.

Overview

  • Prosecutors presented material in mid-November to an investigative grand jury examining the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose remains were found Sept. 8 in a Tesla registered to singer D4vd.
  • A court order sought by LAPD Det. Joshua Byers bars the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner from releasing autopsy findings, a move publicly criticized by Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo as undermining transparency.
  • LAPD Capt. Scot Williams said the body was neither frozen nor decapitated, while an unnamed source linked to the medical examiner told TMZ the remains appeared partially frozen; cause and manner of death and toxicology results remain pending.
  • Investigators have seized electronic devices, are reconstructing movements including a spring trip to Santa Barbara County, and law enforcement sources say they believe more than one person handled the body before it was discovered.
  • No arrests or charges have been announced; law enforcement sources say D4vd (David Anthony Burke) is being treated as a suspect, his cooperation has been disputed in media reports, and a defense attorney has been retained.