On September 8, 2025, a foul odor led police to a Tesla parked at a Hollywood impound lot — and inside its front trunk, they found the decomposing body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The car was registered to 20-year-old pop singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. Now, nearly two months later, sources tell ABC News and ABC7 that D4vd is a suspect in her death — and investigators believe he didn’t act alone.
How a Towed Car Led to a Murder Probe
The Tesla had been abandoned on a quiet Hollywood street on September 6, 2025. Two days later, it was towed to the city’s impound facility near Highland Avenue. No one claimed it. Then, on September 8, a worker noticed the stench. Officers opened the trunk and found Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body. She was from Lake Elsinore, a city about 65 miles southeast of Los Angeles, and had been reported missing weeks before.
Her remains were in such an advanced state of decomposition that investigators believe she’d been dead for at least three to four weeks — possibly since late August. The cause of death? Still unknown. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released its findings, but sources say that determination is the key to any arrest.
“He Played a Role” — Investigators’ Suspicion
According to ABC7’s Christine Choi, speaking live on November 20, 2025, “David is among suspects who they’re looking at… they believe that David did play a role in her death and got help from others in trying to dispose of her body.”
That’s not speculation — it’s what multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News. Investigators think the dismemberment and concealment required more than one person. The fact that the body was hidden in a vehicle registered to D4vd isn’t just coincidence, they say. The car was never reported stolen. He was the registered owner. And according to sources, he hasn’t cooperated since day one.
“He’s not talking,” one source told investigators. “And that’s making things harder.”
The Timeline: A Missing Girl, a Silent Singer
Here’s what we know about the timeline:
- Mid-to-late August 2025: Celeste Rivas Hernandez last seen alive in Lake Elsinore.
- September 6, 2025: Tesla registered to D4vd found abandoned on a Hollywood street.
- September 8, 2025: Body discovered in Tesla’s front trunk at Hollywood impound lot.
- October 2025: LAPD confirms the body is Celeste Rivas Hernandez; begins interviewing associates of D4vd.
- November 18, 2025: TMZ reports police believe D4vd took a late-night trip to a remote area in Spring 2025 — possibly linked to the crime.
- November 20, 2025: ABC7 confirms D4vd is a suspect; no arrests made.
Who Was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Celeste was a 15-year-old sophomore at Lake Elsinore High School. Friends described her as quiet but kind, with a love for music and sketching. Her family had no known connection to the music industry. She wasn’t a fan of D4vd’s music — at least, not publicly. Her disappearance went unnoticed for days because she often stayed with friends after school.
Her mother, Maria Hernandez, told local reporters in early September: “She never missed a call. Never. If she was gone, something was wrong.”
Now, the family waits for answers — and justice.
Why This Case Stands Out
This isn’t just another celebrity scandal. It’s a chilling case of a teenager’s life cut short, hidden in plain sight — inside a luxury car owned by someone with a global audience. D4vd has over 12 million monthly Spotify listeners. His song “Falling” hit the Billboard Hot 100 in 2024. He’s young, talented, and seemingly untouchable.
But the law doesn’t care about followers. Investigators say they’ve spoken to “multiple people they believe were involved in some way.” That suggests a network — perhaps someone who helped move the body, clean the car, or provide an alibi. The fact that the vehicle sat untouched for 48 hours in an impound lot before anyone noticed the smell? That’s not just bad luck. It’s suspicious.
What Happens Next?
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to release its findings within weeks. Once they determine whether the death was homicide, suicide, or accident — and how she died — prosecutors will decide whether to seek charges.
If the cause is ruled a homicide, D4vd could face charges ranging from accessory after the fact to first-degree murder, depending on evidence. The LAPD’s Hollywood Division has assigned a 12-person task force to the case. They’re reviewing security footage, phone records, and financial transactions from August through September.
And while D4vd hasn’t been arrested, his social media has gone silent. His last post? A photo of a guitar on August 27. No caption.
Background: D4vd’s Rise and the Shadow of Fame
David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, rose to fame in 2021 after posting bedroom pop songs on TikTok. His music blends melancholy lyrics with electronic beats — a sound that resonated with Gen Z. He signed with Interscope Records at 17. By 19, he was touring with major acts like Olivia Rodrigo.
But behind the scenes, sources say his life was chaotic. Multiple former crew members told local reporters he was “highly private,” “volatile,” and often traveled alone. One former tour manager, who spoke anonymously, said: “He’d disappear for days. No one knew where. He’d say he was ‘recharging.’ But it felt… darker than that.”
His parents, both educators in Texas, have not commented publicly. Neither has his legal team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t D4vd been arrested yet?
No arrest has been made because the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner hasn’t yet determined the cause and manner of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death. Without that, prosecutors can’t prove homicide — a necessary element for charges like murder or manslaughter. Investigators are waiting for forensic results, including toxicology and trauma analysis, before moving forward.
How could the body stay hidden for weeks?
The Tesla’s front trunk, or “frunk,” is a sealed, insulated compartment rarely accessed by drivers. It’s designed to store items quietly. Combined with the car being towed and left in an impound lot for two days before anyone noticed the smell, the body remained undetected. The advanced decomposition also suggests the killer may have used cooling methods or chemical agents to slow decay — a detail investigators are now examining.
What’s the connection between Lake Elsinore and Hollywood?
There’s no known direct link between Celeste Rivas Hernandez and D4vd. But investigators are exploring whether she was lured to Los Angeles under false pretenses — perhaps through social media, a fake audition, or an acquaintance. Her phone records and last known location are under review. The distance between the two cities — 65 miles — makes it plausible she was transported, especially if she trusted the person who picked her up.
Is this case similar to other celebrity-related crimes?
Yes — but this case is unusual in its secrecy. In 2020, rapper XXXTentacion was murdered in a drive-by shooting, and in 2022, pop star Mac Miller’s death was ruled an accidental overdose. But in this case, a teenager’s body was hidden inside a celebrity’s own vehicle, with no public outcry until weeks later. It suggests a level of cold calculation rarely seen in cases involving young artists.
What role might others play in this investigation?
Investigators believe the dismemberment and disposal involved multiple people. They’ve reportedly contacted at least five individuals connected to D4vd’s inner circle — including drivers, assistants, and studio staff. One source suggests someone may have helped clean the car or provided an alibi. The LAPD is now reviewing all communication between D4vd and these individuals during the critical window between late August and early September.
What happens if D4vd is charged?
If charged, D4vd would likely be held without bail due to the severity of the alleged crime and flight risk. His legal team may argue lack of direct evidence or claim he was framed. But with the body found in his car, his refusal to cooperate, and witness statements placing him near the scene, prosecutors have a strong foundation. A trial could draw national attention — and potentially reshape how the music industry handles privacy and accountability.