The decomposing body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 15-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California, was found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to pop singer D4vd on September 8, 2025 — a discovery that turned a viral music career into the center of a chilling homicide investigation. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) now considers D4vd a suspect in the teen’s death, though no arrests have been made as of November 18, 2025. The case, unfolding across Southern California, involves dismemberment, suspected conspiracy, and a suspect who vanished from public view — and the truth may hinge on a single report still pending from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office.
What Happened to Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Celeste was last seen alive in April 2024 in Riverside County, where she lived with her family in Lake Elsinore. For over a year, her disappearance went cold — until a Tesla owner’s routine maintenance check in Los Angeles revealed something horrifying. On September 8, 2025, the vehicle’s frunk was opened, and inside, investigators found her remains. The body was severely decomposed and showed signs of dismemberment. According to sources close to the investigation, the process of cutting and disposing of her body likely involved more than one person — a detail that has dramatically expanded the scope of the case. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, located at 1104 North Mission Road, has not yet ruled on the cause or manner of death. But investigators say that determination — expected within weeks — will be the key to moving forward. "It’s the linchpin," one source told ABC News. "Without knowing how she died, we can’t charge anyone with murder. We can only charge with what we know for sure — possession of remains, maybe obstruction. But if it was homicide? That changes everything."D4vd’s Sudden Disappearance
D4vd, whose real name remains undisclosed in official reports, rose to fame on TikTok with nearly 4 million followers, blending haunting melodies with cinematic visuals. He was on tour — his "Withered" world tour — when Celeste’s body was found. Within 48 hours, he canceled the remainder of his scheduled shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles. His team initially told NBC Los Angeles he was "cooperating fully" with police. But law enforcement insiders later contradicted that, telling reporters: "That was never true." Within days of the discovery, police executed a search warrant at his rental home in the Hollywood Hills. Sources say they seized electronics, clothing, and vehicle records. A week later, D4vd moved out — and vanished. By late September, he was reported living in Texas, far from the scrutiny of California authorities. He has not made a public statement since. His legal team has not responded to repeated requests for comment from ABC News, NBC Los Angeles, or other outlets.Who Is D4vd — And Why Does It Matter?
D4vd isn’t just another musician. He’s part of a new generation of artists who built empires on social media — raw, intimate, often emotionally charged content that feels personal to fans. His music, often described as "goth-pop," resonated with teenagers across the country. That connection makes this case even more disturbing. Some of his fans, now horrified, have posted messages on social media: "I thought he was my friend," one wrote. "I listened to his songs when I was suicidal. I never imagined…" Investigators believe Celeste may have known D4vd personally. A relative told NBC Los Angeles the teen had maintained a relationship with him — though whether it was romantic, mentorship, or something darker remains unknown. No evidence has been publicly released suggesting coercion or grooming, but the timing is suspicious: she disappeared a year before her body turned up in his car.
The Investigation’s Next Steps
The Los Angeles Police Department is working closely with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, which originally took Celeste’s missing person report in 2024. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is preparing to review evidence once the Medical Examiner’s report is complete. Potential charges could include murder, dismemberment, conspiracy to conceal a corpse, and possibly child endangerment if evidence shows Celeste was under 18 when she was last alive in his presence. What’s unusual here is the lack of a clear motive. No financial disputes. No known prior conflicts. No digital trail of explicit messages between Celeste and D4vd — at least, none that have been made public. That’s why investigators are focusing on the physical evidence: DNA under her fingernails, trace fibers from the Tesla’s interior, and the method of dismemberment. "This wasn’t done in a panic," one investigator told ABC News. "This was planned. Someone knew what they were doing."Community Grief and Silence
In Lake Elsinore, a small memorial of candles and stuffed animals sits near the corner where Celeste was last seen. Her family has refused all media interviews. Neighbors say she was quiet, artistic, loved drawing and writing poetry. One teacher recalled her handing in a poem titled "I Wish I Could Disappear Without Leaving a Trace." No one saw it coming. Meanwhile, D4vd’s music remains on streaming platforms. Some fans have started petitions to remove his songs. Others defend him fiercely. "Don’t convict him in the court of Instagram," one comment read. "We don’t know the whole story." But the story is being written — slowly, forensically, in a lab in Los Angeles. And when the Medical Examiner’s report drops, the world will know more than it does today. Whether that brings justice, or just more questions, remains to be seen.
What’s Next?
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office is expected to release its findings in early December 2025. Once that happens, prosecutors will have 72 hours to decide whether to seek an arrest warrant. If charges are filed, D4vd could face extradition from Texas. Meanwhile, police are still interviewing at least five other individuals connected to the case — including former tour staff, a mechanic who serviced the Tesla in July 2025, and a woman who reportedly lived with D4vd briefly in Hollywood Hills. The case has already drawn comparisons to the 2018 disappearance of 16-year-old Alina Haskins in Oregon, where a musician was later charged with concealment after her body was found in a vehicle. But unlike that case, there’s no body of evidence yet — only fragments. And a silence that speaks louder than any statement.Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t D4vd been arrested yet?
No arrest has been made because prosecutors need a confirmed cause of death from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office before filing homicide charges. Without knowing whether Celeste was killed by blunt force, strangulation, or another method, there’s insufficient evidence to prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Investigators are gathering forensic data, but they’re legally barred from acting until the medical report is complete.
How did Celeste’s body end up in D4vd’s Tesla?
The exact sequence is unknown, but investigators believe the body was transported from Riverside County to Los Angeles sometime after her death in spring 2025. The Tesla’s frunk is a secure, climate-controlled compartment — ideal for hiding remains. Police are analyzing vehicle GPS data, toll records, and cell tower pings to trace its movements between April and September 2025. D4vd’s travel logs show he was in Riverside County in late May 2025 — the same window when authorities believe Celeste died.
Is there any proof D4vd knew Celeste personally?
Yes — according to a relative who spoke to NBC Los Angeles, Celeste had an ongoing relationship with D4vd, though the nature of it is unclear. Investigators are reviewing direct messages, photos, and fan interactions on social media. While no explicit communications have been released, they’ve found multiple instances where Celeste’s TikTok account interacted with D4vd’s posts in the months before she vanished. The timing suggests more than casual fandom.
Could others be involved in the crime?
Absolutely. Law enforcement sources confirm the dismemberment and disposal process likely involved multiple people. One suspect under investigation is a former tour technician who worked on D4vd’s vehicles and had access to his Tesla. Another is a woman who lived in the Hollywood Hills rental with D4vd for two weeks in August 2025 — she’s since left the state. Investigators are following every lead, not just D4vd.
What charges could D4vd face if arrested?
If the Medical Examiner rules the death a homicide, D4vd could face charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful disposal of a human body. If evidence shows he knew Celeste was dead and helped conceal her, he could also be charged with accessory after the fact. Dismemberment is a separate felony in California, punishable by up to five years in state prison — even if murder charges don’t stick.
Why hasn’t the family spoken out?
The Hernandez family has requested privacy, and law enforcement has respected that. They’ve declined interviews with all major outlets, including ABC News and NBC Los Angeles. According to a close friend, they’re waiting for the official report before making any public statements. Their silence isn’t indifference — it’s grief under siege, trying to protect what’s left of their daughter’s dignity in a media circus.
