Weeks after the decomposed remains of a missing California teenager, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, were discovered in a Tesla registered to viral pop singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), the case remains shrouded in a chilling veil of unanswered questions. What began as a report of a foul odor from an abandoned car has spiraled into a homicide investigation that ensnares a rising music star, leaving police, media, and a grieving family seeking clarity.
The Grisly Discovery in Hollywood
The tragic discovery was made on September 8th after authorities were called to an impound lot in Los Angeles. The Tesla, which had reportedly been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills for weeks and subsequently towed, was the source of a strong, disturbing smell. Inside the vehicle, specifically in the front trunk (frunk), officers found the remains of a female.
Forensic examination later confirmed the body belonged to 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing from her Lake Elsinore home in 2024. The car was found to be registered to the 20-year-old singer-songwriter D4vd, known for hits like “Romantic Homicide” and “Here with Me.”
A Timeline of Ominous Gaps
The timeline of events has only deepened the mystery. LAPD officials have stated that the state of the remains suggests Rivas Hernandez was likely dead for several weeks before her body was discovered. This timeframe is crucial: the singer was reportedly out on tour when the car was found, and the vehicle had been ticketed and abandoned for an extended period in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood where D4vd was staying.
Investigators served a search warrant at a residence reportedly associated with the singer near where the car was towed, seizing several items of evidence. Despite this, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to determine the official cause or manner of death, listing it as “deferred” pending further investigation. This critical missing piece means authorities have not been able to definitively classify the death or name any suspects in the case, though the investigation is being handled by the Robbery-Homicide Division.
The Star and the Missing Girl
D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has had his rapidly ascending music career overshadowed by the macabre incident, leading him to cancel remaining tour dates. A representative for the singer has publicly stated that he is “fully cooperating” with authorities, a claim the LAPD has not officially confirmed.
Adding a layer of unsettling speculation are various reports linking the two individuals. The teen had a distinctive “Shhh…” tattoo on her index finger, and unverified fan speculation has surfaced, alleging an unconfirmed relationship and suggesting the singer referenced a person named “Celeste” in leaked music and social media posts.
For now, the legal and criminal narrative remains focused on the location of the body and the concealment of the remains, as the actual circumstances of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death remain a terrible, unsolved puzzle at the intersection of fame and tragedy.