The autopsy for Celeste Rivas Hernandez dropped this week and the details seem horrifying to true crime followers. As the last time that Celeste was seen was on April 23 last year, the sad anniversary makes it feel worse for those who follow the updates. Allegedly, she was in the company of murder suspect Davie Burke, AKA d4vd at the time.
A Year Since The Disappearance
Prosecutors allege that one year ago today Celeste, 14 at the time, went to the Hollywood Hills home of David Burke. And, that was the last time anyone heard from her.
By now, true crime followers are familiar with the story of how her body was found in an abandoned Tesla registered to d4vd.
At one stage, the police started withholding information about whether her remains were frozen, or if she was actually dismembered.
Well, it turns out that confirmation of dismemberment arrived, and that makes people wonder what kind of person can actually do that sort of thing.
Despite dismemberment and a long time in a hot car lot, the medical examiner appears to have done an amazing job figuring out what actually killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
It’s just a job right? Well, people who follow the case can’t help but feel terrible for the examiner as well. Certainly, it couldn’t have been an easy task.
The Medical Report
According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, the teen died from “multiple penetrating injuries with unspecified objects.” The report noted that the autopsy described a “violent struggle” and the medical examiner officially ruled the death a homicide.
The outlet also confirmed that the remains were in an “extreme condition” after sitting in a Tesla through the summer heat. Other awful facts included a missing eye and a missing finger.
On Law&Crime Network, Jesse Weber spoke with a forensic pathologist who broke down the findings. The report detailed two wounds to the torso with “smooth edges.” Notably, that could indicate a sharp object caused them.
At this time, it’s not certain if any murder weapon was ever recovered, but folks assume a knife or screwdriver inflicted the wounds.
In a previous article, we noted that dismemberment was confirmed, but now it seems that it didn’t happen immediately. Allegedly, updates note that d4vd waited about two weeks after the alleged murder before cutting her up.
People Worry About The Jury
Just listening to the descriptions of the autopsy evidence appalls so many people. Naturally, that starts true crime followers thinking about the trial for d4vd.
There’s no way they can hide the fact that Celeste Rivas Hernandez was still a child. Add that to the potentially graphic nature of the autopsy, and it seems likely the jury could end up traumatized.
Terrible Wounds
The report suggests strongly that she was stabbed multiple times. A chest wound caused an interstitial shift from bleeding and changing pressure. Plus another wound struck her liver.
In the Law&Crime discussion, they talked about blue plastic fragments embedded in the cut surfaces of the bone. If that was from the tool that dismembered Celeste, the visionary picture it brings viewers raised concerns about how a jury will handle seeing the photographic evidence.
Defense Claims Burke Didn’t Do It
Obviously it’s all alleged right now as David Burke remains an innocent man until proven guilty. However, it might be an uphill battle for the defense.
Nevertheless, they seem confident and stand by his decision to plead not guilty. In fact, they claimed in a statement that the evidence will eventually show he wasn’t guilty of her death.
On the other side of the fence, prosecutors seem confident they have a truck load of evidence to convict the R&B singer. The charges include special circumstances that could lead to the unusual use of the death penalty in California.
Viewers React
The comments section on the Law&Crime update shows that many folks feel appalled and shaken by the details. And, they feel deeply for anyone selected for the jury who’ll sit through the details of the alleged manner of death.
One person wrote, “I feel for the members of the jury who will have to sit through and hear in detail what took place. Terrible”
Here are a few more responses from the discussion:
- Im watching this through tear sodden eyes and with an extremely heavy heart..check on your children often parents❤ RIP sweet child.Praying for true justice
- It’s bad enough that you murdered an innocent person, then to mutilate them so their family gets them back in pieces? Absolutely psychopathic.
- She was in pain. She was drowning as her lung filled with blood. Bleeding inside her abdomen due to laceration of her liver. Bless this grade or first year of middle school baby girl.
- This is absolutely horrific.
For now, viewers feel sick to their stomachs, but until the trial, people can only hope that if d4vd killed Celeste Rivas Hernandez, he faces the full wrath of justice.
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