Singer D4vd Named Suspect in Death of 15-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Found in Tesla
The decomposing, dismembered body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to rising R&B singer D4vd at an impound lot in Hollywood on September 8, 2025 — a discovery that has thrust the quiet, introspective artist into the center of a harrowing homicide investigation. Police responded to a foul odor emanating from the vehicle, only to uncover what sources describe as a scene of extreme violence. The teenager, who had been missing since April 2024 after running away from her home in Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, was identified through dental records. Her death, now officially classified as a homicide by the Los Angeles Police Department, has sent shockwaves through both the music industry and the communities that knew her.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
It was just after 4 p.m. on a Tuesday when LAPD officers arrived at the impound lot on Cahuenga Boulevard. The smell was overwhelming — a thick, sweet rot that no one could ignore. Inside the Tesla Model S, tucked beneath a tarp and what investigators later described as "deliberate concealment," lay the remains of Celeste. The body was in advanced decomposition, with signs of dismemberment so precise that detectives believe it required tools and knowledge beyond casual violence. "This wasn’t panic," one source told ABC News. "This was calculated. And it took time." Authorities estimate she had been dead for at least four to six weeks before her body was found — meaning she likely died sometime in late July or early August 2025. That timeline places her death squarely within a period when D4vd was reportedly traveling across Southern California, often alone, often late at night.
Why D4vd? The Evidence Mounts
The Tesla was registered to D4vd — whose real name, according to law enforcement communications cited by KTLA 5, is David — and investigators quickly determined he was the sole registered owner. Surveillance footage from his Los Angeles-area residence showed him leaving home on multiple occasions in the weeks following Celeste’s disappearance, often returning hours later with no explanation. One neighbor recalled seeing him "parking the Tesla at odd hours, like he was hiding it." Another said he’d seen the singer carrying a large duffel bag into the car after midnight in early August.
But the most troubling lead involves a mysterious trip D4vd took to a remote section of Santa Barbara County in the spring of 2025. TMZ reported, citing anonymous law enforcement sources, that he drove alone into the mountains near Gaviota Pass, stayed for several hours, and returned without explanation. Cell tower data, according to investigators, confirms his vehicle was in the area between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on a night when no other traffic was logged. The location? A known off-grid area with no cameras, no cell service, and a history of unreported disappearances.
"We’re not just looking at him as a possible perpetrator," said a source close to the investigation. "We’re looking at him as the center of a network. The dismemberment? That’s not something one person does alone. There were helpers. People who knew what to do."
Multiple Suspects, One Question: Who Helped?
The investigation has since expanded beyond D4vd. Investigators have interviewed at least five individuals connected to the singer’s inner circle — including a former tour manager, a studio assistant, and two people who reportedly rented storage units near his home. One person, a 22-year-old assistant who worked on D4vd’s music video shoot in June 2025, reportedly told detectives he was asked to "clean up something" after the shoot. He denied knowing anything about a body but admitted to washing down a vehicle that smelled like "metal and bleach."
Meanwhile, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, which originally handled Celeste’s missing persons case, has turned over all records to LAPD. Her family, still reeling, has not spoken publicly. But a close friend revealed to KTLA that Celeste had been messaging friends in March 2024 about "a guy who listens to sad music and says he gets her," and that she’d met him at a local concert in Temecula. Her last known text, sent April 3, 2024, read: "I’m going to see him tonight. Don’t wait up."
What Happens Next? The Medical Examiner’s Role
As of November 19, 2025, no arrests have been made. But sources say the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office is finalizing its autopsy report — and it’s expected within days. The cause of death — whether it was blunt force trauma, strangulation, or something else — will determine the charges. If evidence shows Celeste was alive during dismemberment, it could lead to first-degree murder charges with special circumstances. If she was already deceased, it might be classified as desecration of a corpse with conspiracy.
"The medical examiner’s findings will be the key," said retired LAPD homicide detective Maria Lopez, who reviewed the case at the request of ABC News. "Without knowing how she died, you can’t prove intent. And without intent, you can’t prove murder. But if the body shows signs of prolonged suffering? That changes everything."
A Community in Mourning, A Music Scene in Shock
D4vd, known for hauntingly emotional songs like "Bury Me" and "I’m Not Okay," has not made a public statement. His social media has been silent since September. His label, Interscope Records, issued a brief statement: "We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and are cooperating fully with authorities."
But in Lake Elsinore, where Celeste was remembered as a quiet artist who drew comics and wrote poetry about loneliness, the pain is raw. Her mother, who spoke anonymously to the Los Angeles Times, said: "She didn’t have many friends. But she had a heart. And someone took that away."
Meanwhile, fans are grappling with the dissonance. D4vd’s music, often described as "soundtrack to teenage melancholy," now carries a chilling new weight. One fan tweeted: "I used to cry to his songs. Now I can’t listen without thinking of her."
What’s the Timeline? A Case Still Unfolding
- April 2024: Celeste Rivas Hernandez reported missing from Lake Elsinore after running away.
- Spring 2025: D4vd makes unexplained late-night trip to remote Santa Barbara County.
- August 2025 (estimated): Celeste believed to have died; body placed in Tesla.
- September 8, 2025: Body discovered in Tesla at Hollywood impound lot.
- November 18–19, 2025: LAPD confirms D4vd is a suspect; investigation expands to multiple individuals.
- Expected late November 2025: Medical Examiner’s report due; potential arrests imminent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is D4vd considered a suspect if no arrest has been made?
D4vd is considered a suspect because the Tesla used to transport Celeste’s body is registered solely to him, surveillance places him near the scene during critical timeframes, and investigators believe he orchestrated the disposal. No arrest has occurred because prosecutors need the Medical Examiner’s cause-of-death report to prove intent and criminal liability. Until then, he remains a person of interest under active investigation.
How could a dismemberment like this go unnoticed for months?
The body was hidden in the front trunk of a Tesla — a space not typically accessed by impound lot staff. The vehicle was towed in June 2025 for a non-moving violation and sat untouched until September. With no public reports of Celeste’s disappearance gaining traction beyond Riverside County, and no one missing her in Los Angeles, her absence went unconnected to the car. The smell only became noticeable after decomposition reached an advanced stage.
What’s the significance of the Santa Barbara trip?
The trip to a remote area of Santa Barbara County in spring 2025 is being treated as a possible crime scene. Investigators believe D4vd may have transported Celeste’s body there temporarily — perhaps to dispose of evidence, clean the vehicle, or even stage the scene. The area’s lack of surveillance and cell coverage makes it ideal for illicit activity. Forensic teams are now searching the terrain for traces of DNA, tools, or clothing.
Could others be charged even if D4vd didn’t kill her?
Absolutely. Under California law, anyone who helps conceal a homicide — even if they didn’t commit the killing — can be charged as an accessory after the fact or conspirator. Investigators have already identified at least three people who may have assisted in cleaning, transporting, or storing the body. One suspect reportedly owns a power saw and has a history of working in construction. Evidence is being gathered to determine if they acted knowingly.
What impact could this have on D4vd’s music career?
Even without charges, his career is effectively on hold. Interscope has suspended all promotional activity, and streaming platforms have quietly removed his music from curated playlists. Fans are canceling subscriptions. The haunting tone of his lyrics — once seen as poetic — now feels like chilling foreshadowing. If convicted, he could face life in prison. If acquitted, the stigma may still end his public career permanently.
What should families do if their teen goes missing?
Report the disappearance immediately — don’t wait 24 hours. Provide photos, social media logs, and last known locations. Contact local police and request entry into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Many teens who vanish are found within 72 hours. Delayed reporting, as in Celeste’s case, reduces the chance of recovery. Schools and community centers also offer free safety workshops for teens and parents.
