The family of Celeste Rivas chose to leave the courtroom prior to the grim details of her autopsy being discussed.
Celeste’s parents, Jesus Rivas and Mercedes Martinez, attended most of Thursday’s preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, where singer D4vd, known as David Burke, is facing charges related to Celeste’s murder.
However, they exited before Deputy Medical Examiner Grant Ho took the stand. Family attorney Patrick Steinfeld stayed behind.
During his testimony, Ho stated that Rivas’ body weighed just 71 pounds and was in “severe decomposition,” with trauma noted particularly on the extremities. He also mentioned that a brace was found during the autopsy.
Celeste was only 14 years old when Burke allegedly killed her by stabbing. Reports indicate he subsequently dismembered her and placed her remains into bags, which were loaded into his Tesla.
On Tuesday, Rivas’ parents were visibly distressed as graphic video evidence of their daughter’s decapitation was shown in court.
A family member of another victim reportedly ignored instructions to look away from the shocking visuals as they were presented in the Los Angeles courtroom.
Following the evidence display, the devastated couple was seen weeping in the hallway, grappling with the grisly images of their daughter’s severed body parts, which were purportedly discovered in the trunk of D4vd’s vehicle.
They were seated just a few feet from D4vd as the evidence was displayed.
Patrick Steinfeld noted outside the courthouse that they wanted to demonstrate their support for Celeste. He added that the scene was difficult for them, mentioning the boy’s mother was particularly overwhelmed with emotion.
Ho’s testimony is slated to resume on Friday.
