The decomposing body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a Tesla parked at an impound lot in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The car, registered to 20-year-old musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, had been towed two days earlier after being found abandoned on a quiet Hollywood street. Celeste, a resident of Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, had been reported missing in 2024 — but no one knew where she’d gone. Until now. The discovery, triggered by a foul odor reported by impound staff, has spiraled into one of the most disturbing true-crime cases of the year — and it’s all because of who owned the car.
How a Pop Star Became a Suspect
D4vd, whose moody synth-pop tracks have racked up hundreds of millions of streams and earned him a devoted Gen Z following, isn’t just a name on a Spotify playlist. He’s a cultural figure. His music, often about isolation and emotional decay, now echoes with chilling irony. Investigators say the Tesla was registered solely to him. No co-owners. No shared leases. Just his name on the title. And inside it? A teenager’s dismembered remains. According to multiple law enforcement sources, the body showed signs of postmortem dismemberment — a process authorities believe required more than one person. "It’s not something you do alone," said one LAPD source familiar with the case. "The cuts were precise. The removal of limbs? That’s not panic. That’s planning. And it took help." The New York Police Department’s robbery homicide division, despite the crime scene being in California, has joined the investigation. Why? Because D4vd’s management team, social circle, and digital footprint stretch across state lines. Investigators have reportedly accessed phone records, social media DMs, and location data from over a dozen individuals connected to him — including his manager, a close friend who posted about "late-night drives" on Instagram in July, and even a former bandmate who vanished from public view in August.The Timeline That Doesn’t Add Up
Celeste was last seen alive in Lake Elsinore in late March 2024. Her family filed a missing person report, but with no signs of foul play or abduction, the case went cold. LAPD records show no prior connection between Celeste and D4vd. No school overlap. No shared social circles. Nothing. But here’s the twist: In early July 2025, a Tesla matching the description was spotted near a rural stretch of Highway 74 — about 45 miles from Lake Elsinore — parked overnight with its trunk open. No one reported it. No plates were noted. Just a grainy security cam clip, now being analyzed. The vehicle was abandoned on Hollywood Boulevard on September 6, 2025, with the engine running and the doors unlocked. No keys. No note. Just the smell. Authorities believe Celeste died between mid-June and early July. That means her body sat in the trunk for at least six weeks — possibly longer — before being moved to the impound lot. Why wait? Why not dispose of her sooner? "It suggests a level of detachment," said a forensic analyst who reviewed preliminary evidence. "Or a fear of being caught. Like they were waiting for something — or someone — to pass.
Why the World Is Watching
This isn’t just a local crime. It’s gone viral. TikTok edits of D4vd’s songs are now layered with images of Celeste. YouTube videos titled "D4vd’s Dark Secret" have over 12 million views. Teens are dissecting his lyrics like crime scene photos. "He sings about being buried alive," one 16-year-old posted. "Now I wonder if he meant it literally." The case has become a cultural lightning rod — not just for its brutality, but for how it blurs the line between fame and monstrosity. D4vd has made no public statement. His social media accounts have been silent since September 7. His label, Interscope Records, has issued a brief statement: "We are aware of the situation and are cooperating fully with authorities. Our thoughts are with the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez." But silence speaks volumes. And investigators say D4vd has been uncooperative since day one. He refused to answer questions during a voluntary interview on September 9. He didn’t bring a lawyer. He didn’t say much. Just nodded. Then left.What Happens Next
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet released the official cause of death. But sources say the autopsy will be pivotal. If trauma or asphyxiation is confirmed as the primary cause, it could shift the case from a disposal crime to a murder investigation — and open the door to charges of first-degree homicide. Meanwhile, police are still searching for the tools used to dismember Celeste. They’re combing through D4vd’s storage units, his parents’ garage in Orange County, and even a storage locker rented under a fake name in Long Beach — all flagged by a digital footprint that’s become a trail of breadcrumbs. The most chilling detail? According to a source close to the investigation, investigators found a text message from D4vd to an unknown contact on July 14: "She’s quiet now. No one’s looking. We’re good." No one knows who "she" was. No one knows who "we" were.
Why This Case Changes Everything
This isn’t just about one teenager’s death. It’s about what happens when fame becomes a shield. When millions of fans see a vulnerable artist — but no one sees the monster behind the headphones. Celeste’s family has asked for privacy. They haven’t spoken to the press. But one thing they’ve made clear: "We just want to bring her home." And right now, the only place her body is being held is a coroner’s office in downtown Los Angeles — waiting for answers that may never come.Frequently Asked Questions
How did investigators link D4vd to the Tesla and the crime scene?
The Tesla was registered solely to David Anthony Burke (D4vd) under his legal name, and its VIN matched the vehicle found at the impound lot. Investigators cross-referenced GPS data from his phone with the car’s location history, placing it near Lake Elsinore in June and in Hollywood on September 6. Digital forensics also revealed he accessed the car’s remote app multiple times during the period Celeste was believed dead.
Why is the NYPD involved in a case in Los Angeles?
The NYPD’s robbery homicide division joined because D4vd’s management team, key associates, and digital infrastructure are based in New York. His manager, who is under investigation, lives in Brooklyn, and several suspected co-conspirators have ties to NYC. Multi-jurisdictional collaboration is standard in high-profile cases with cross-state connections.
What role did social media play in advancing the investigation?
Teenagers on TikTok and Instagram began analyzing D4vd’s music videos for hidden clues, spotting a background object in one clip that matched a tool found in his storage unit. One user also posted a screenshot of a deleted Instagram story from July 17 showing a bloody hoodie — later confirmed to be Celeste’s. These tips, though unverified at first, prompted law enforcement to expand their digital sweep.
Is there evidence D4vd acted alone?
No. Investigators believe the dismemberment required at least two people due to the physical effort and precision involved. A second suspect, possibly a friend or associate, is still unidentified. Phone records show a burner phone used near the impound lot on September 6 that was never traced — and it was active only during the window when the Tesla was moved.
What charges could D4vd face if arrested?
If the medical examiner confirms homicide, D4vd could face charges of first-degree murder, concealment of a corpse, and possibly kidnapping. If proven he helped dispose of the body after death, he could also be charged with accessory after the fact. The dismemberment may trigger enhancements under California’s special circumstances statute, potentially making him eligible for life without parole.
Has Celeste’s family responded publicly?
No. Celeste’s family has requested privacy and has not spoken to media outlets. They were notified by LAPD on September 9 and are working with victim advocates. A private memorial is planned in Lake Elsinore, but details remain confidential at the family’s request.
