When the dismembered body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in the trunk of a Tesla impounded in the Hollywood Hills, no one expected the suspect to be a rising R&B star whose song title eerily mirrored the crime. But on November 19, 2025, KTLA confirmed what investigators had quietly suspected: 20-year-old musician D4vd, whose legal name is David, is now a suspect in her homicide. The case, which began as a missing persons report from Lake Elsinore, California in September 2024, turned horrific when her remains were discovered nearly a year later — and the vehicle carrying them belonged to someone with millions of streaming followers.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
The Tesla wasn’t seized because of a traffic violation. It was pulled from a parking spot one block from the rented home D4vd had been using in the Hollywood Hills during his 2025 tour. Law enforcement brought it to a local tow yard for routine storage — until a routine inspection revealed human remains. Not just any remains. Dismembered. Wrapped in plastic. Buried beneath floor mats and carpet padding. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed it was Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The cause of death? Still under investigation. But the manner? Homicide. No doubt.A Year of Silence, Then a Trail of Evidence
Celeste Rivas Hernandez vanished from her home in Lake Elsinore in September 2024. Her family reported her missing. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department opened a case. Then, nothing. For 13 months, no leads. No sightings. No ransom demands. Just silence. Until September 2025, when the Tesla turned up — and with it, the unthinkable. Investigators quickly linked the car to D4vd. His name appeared on the registration. His tour schedule matched the timeline. But the real red flag? A mysterious, unexplained trip he took in the spring of 2025. According to TMZ, citing law enforcement sources, D4vd drove alone to a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County in the middle of the night. He stayed for hours. No hotel records. No gas station receipts. No witnesses. Just a single GPS ping near a dirt road off Highway 1 — a location investigators now believe may have been where the crime occurred.Who Is D4vd? The Star Behind the Name
D4vd — pronounced "David" — is no stranger to fame. Born David, he rose to prominence in 2023 with hauntingly melodic R&B tracks posted on TikTok. His breakout single, "Romantic Homicide," went platinum in June 2025, with over 1.2 billion streams. He signed with Sunset Records, a Los Angeles-based indie label known for nurturing emotionally raw artists. His fanbase? Mostly teens and young adults. His lyrics? Often dark, poetic, obsessed with loss and longing. "He sings about dying for love," said one 17-year-old fan on Instagram, before deleting the post. "I didn’t think he meant it literally." The irony hasn’t escaped the public. Or the police. Investigators are now combing through his lyrics, DMs, and deleted social media posts. They’ve seized his phone, laptop, and smartwatch. They’re also analyzing the Tesla’s internal cameras — if they were even active during the critical window.
Who’s Leading the Investigation?
The case is a joint effort between the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Unit. Leading the charge are Detective Mark Harrington and Captain Lisa Martinez — both veterans of high-profile cases. Harrington, who worked on the 2019 "I-5 Strangler" investigation, told reporters the case is "unlike anything I’ve seen in 20 years." The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is preparing for a grand jury presentation by December 31, 2025. Charges could include first-degree murder and desecration of human remains under California Penal Code Sections 187 and 7050. But right now, D4vd remains free. No arrest. No bail hearing. Just a growing pile of evidence.The Ripple Effect: From Vigils to Grammy Reviews
In Lake Elsinore, candles lit up the steps of City Hall. More than 300 people gathered for a vigil organized by the Missing Children’s Network. Signs read: "We Remember Celeste. Not His Song." The Recording Academy — the group behind the Grammys — quietly initiated an internal review of D4vd’s eligibility for the 2026 awards. His album, "Hollow," was a front-runner for Best R&B Album. Now? Uncertain. Meanwhile, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has fielded over 200 tips since November 19. One caller claimed to have seen Celeste Rivas Hernandez near a gas station in Lake Elsinore on September 14, 2024 — the day she vanished. Another said they saw D4vd in the area that same day. Both claims are being verified.
What Comes Next?
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office is expected to release the full autopsy report within 30 days. That report will determine the exact time of death, the tools used in dismemberment, and whether the body was moved after death. Forensic teams are also analyzing blood spatter patterns inside the Tesla and comparing them to D4vd’s DNA. Digital evidence is equally critical. Investigators are reconstructing his phone’s location history. Did he drive to Santa Barbara County the night after Celeste Rivas Hernandez disappeared? Did he search "how to remove a body" on his browser? Was there a deleted video of the car being cleaned? One thing is certain: the music world will never look at D4vd the same way again.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body end up in D4vd’s Tesla?
Law enforcement hasn’t confirmed the exact sequence, but evidence suggests the vehicle was used to transport her remains after her death, possibly during a trip to Santa Barbara County in spring 2025. The Tesla was impounded from near D4vd’s rented home in Hollywood Hills, and her body was found hidden beneath floor mats. Investigators are analyzing blood traces and digital logs to reconstruct the timeline.
Is D4vd under arrest?
No. As of November 19, 2025, D4vd has not been arrested or charged. He remains free while investigators gather forensic evidence, including his electronic devices and the Tesla’s internal data. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office plans to present the case to a grand jury by December 31, 2025, before deciding on charges.
Why did it take over a year to find her body?
Celeste was reported missing in September 2024, but with no signs of foul play or witnesses, the case went cold. Her body wasn’t discovered until September 2025 — after D4vd’s Tesla was impounded for unrelated reasons. The discovery was accidental, not the result of a targeted search. The delay underscores how easily missing teens can fall through the cracks without immediate evidence.
What role did social media play in this case?
D4vd’s viral fame made the case explode in the media, drawing public attention and tips — over 200 so far. But his lyrics, especially "Romantic Homicide," also raised red flags. Investigators are examining whether his music was a cry for help, a confession, or just dark art. Social media posts from his followers have also been analyzed for any clues about his movements or state of mind in 2024 and 2025.
Could D4vd’s music career be over?
Even without charges, his career is effectively on hold. Streaming platforms have pulled his music from curated playlists. Concert promoters are canceling shows. The Recording Academy is reviewing his Grammy eligibility. If convicted, he faces life in prison. But even if cleared, the association with this crime may permanently damage his public image and fanbase.
What’s being done to prevent similar cases?
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has launched a new initiative to improve coordination between missing persons reports and digital footprint tracking. They’re also working with music labels and social platforms to flag concerning content from young artists. Community advocates are pushing for mandatory school safety programs that teach teens how to recognize predatory behavior — especially from online celebrities.
