When the decomposed, dismembered body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was pulled from the trunk of a Tesla in September 2025, authorities didn’t immediately connect it to rising R&B star D4vd—but by November 19, 2025, that changed. Law enforcement sources confirmed to KTLA that the 20-year-old musician, whose legal name is David, is now a primary suspect in her homicide. The body had been hidden for nearly two months before discovery, and investigators believe Hernandez died in the spring of 2025. The case has spiraled into one of the most disturbing celebrity-linked crimes in recent Los Angeles history—not just because of the brutality, but because of the chilling disconnect between the victim’s youth and the suspect’s sudden fame.
How a Tesla Trunk Became a Crime Scene
The vehicle, registered to D4vd, was towed after a routine violation in early September 2025. Workers at the impound lot in South Los Angeles noticed an unusual odor and, upon inspection, found Hernandez’s remains. The body showed signs of dismemberment, according to multiple sources cited by ABC7 and NBC Los Angeles. No one reported the car missing. No one came forward. It sat, unclaimed, until a routine inventory revealed something horrifying. The fact that a teenager’s body could remain hidden in a luxury vehicle for weeks—without anyone noticing—has raised serious questions about oversight and public awareness.The Last Known Moments of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
According to eyewitnesses and social media footage, Hernandez was last seen alive on the night of April 12, 2025, outside a small concert venue in East L.A., where D4vd was performing. She wore a black crop top and high-waisted jeans—the same outfit she was found in. Her family had already reported her missing 14 hours before the show. Yet, surveillance footage shows her approaching the artist’s vehicle after the set. No one else was seen with her afterward. The timing is critical: investigators believe she was killed within hours of being seen alive. The fact that she was wearing the same clothes during her final known moments—and later found in the same outfit—suggests a deliberate, possibly ritualized, disposal.A Mysterious Trip to Santa Barbara
The investigation took a dramatic turn when TMZ reported on November 18, 2025, that D4vd made a secret, late-night drive to a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County on April 15, 2025—just three days after Hernandez was last seen. He reportedly stayed for over five hours, with no record of lodging, no phone pings, and no witnesses. GPS data from his phone and the Tesla’s internal system show he parked off a dirt road near a known disposal site used in prior cold cases. Authorities are now analyzing soil samples from the vehicle’s tires and the trunk lining, comparing them to the Santa Barbara location. “It’s not just the body,” one investigator told ABC News. “It’s the pattern. The silence. The trip. The lack of cooperation.”
“Nobody Has Been Excluded”—But D4vd Isn’t Talking
The Los Angeles Police Department has not issued an official statement, but anonymous sources across KTLA, ABC7, and NBC confirm that D4vd has refused to speak with detectives. His lawyer, whose name has not been released, has not responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, investigators are exploring whether others helped him move or dispose of the body. A friend of Hernandez’s, who spoke anonymously to Billboard, said the teen had recently told her, “David’s not who he says he is.” No one else has been formally named as a suspect, but sources say at least two individuals are under review—possibly associates from D4vd’s management team or local crew members who helped him transport equipment.Why This Case Is Resonating Across the Country
D4vd’s music—moody, atmospheric R&B with themes of isolation and emotional detachment—had drawn a cult following among Gen Z listeners. His 2024 debut EP, Ghost in the Machine, had over 180 million streams. His rise was meteoric. His fall, now, is catastrophic. The juxtaposition is jarring. Meanwhile, Hernandez’s family has remained silent, their grief buried under legal proceedings. Her school in the San Fernando Valley held a memorial last week. Dozens of candles still burn outside the gates. “She was quiet,” said her former teacher, Maria Lopez. “But she wrote poetry. About light in dark places. Now, she’s the dark place.”
What Comes Next
The medical examiner’s office has not yet ruled on the official cause of death, though blunt force trauma and asphyxiation are suspected. Forensic teams are still analyzing DNA from the Tesla’s interior, the Santa Barbara site, and D4vd’s personal devices. A warrant was executed on November 17, 2025, seizing his laptop, phone, and cloud storage. Authorities are also reviewing his private Instagram DMs from March to May 2025—periods where he deleted messages en masse. If prosecutors can prove premeditation, the charges could include first-degree murder, child abuse, and evidence tampering. No arrest has been made as of November 20, 2025, but sources say a grand jury hearing is expected before year’s end.The Bigger Picture: Fame, Privacy, and Vulnerable Teens
This isn’t just about one artist. It’s about a system that lets young people, especially girls of color, slip through the cracks. Hernandez was reported missing on April 11, 2025. Her case was flagged as “runaway” by LAPD’s missing persons unit—despite her being only 15 and having no prior history of leaving home. Meanwhile, D4vd’s social media posts from that same week showed him at parties, studio sessions, and fan meetups. No one connected the dots. The case has reignited debates about how law enforcement prioritizes missing teens versus celebrities. “We don’t wait for a body in a Tesla to care,” said advocacy group leader Elena Ruiz. “We should’ve been looking for her long before the trunk opened.”Frequently Asked Questions
How did Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body stay hidden for so long?
The Tesla was impounded after a minor traffic violation and sat in a public tow yard for nearly two months. Impound lots prioritize vehicle registration and fees, not interior inspections unless there’s an obvious odor or visible damage. Hernandez’s body was dismembered and packed tightly, reducing scent leakage. It wasn’t discovered until a routine inventory triggered a deeper search.
Why hasn’t D4vd been arrested yet?
Prosecutors need direct evidence linking D4vd to the act of killing, not just disposal. While circumstantial evidence is strong—timeline, location, lack of cooperation, digital deletions—they’re still waiting on forensic confirmation, such as DNA under her fingernails or his prints on the trunk latch. Without a confession or eyewitness, they’re building a case slowly to avoid dismissal.
What role might others have played in the crime?
Investigators believe D4vd may have had help dismembering and transporting the body, given the physical effort required. Two individuals linked to his touring crew are under review, including a sound technician who vanished after April 2025. Cell tower data places both near the Santa Barbara site during the same window. No formal charges have been filed, but subpoenas have been issued.
Could this affect D4vd’s music career even if he’s not convicted?
Already, his streaming platforms have pulled his music from curated playlists. His label, Interscope Records, has suspended all promotional activity. While no legal action has been taken against his intellectual property, public backlash has been severe—over 1.2 million people unfollowed him on Instagram in under a week. His future in music, regardless of trial outcome, appears over.
Why wasn’t Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s missing person report taken more seriously?
Her case was initially classified as a “runaway teen,” a common misclassification for minors from low-income neighborhoods. LAPD’s missing persons unit was overwhelmed in spring 2025, with over 200 unresolved cases. Her family, who spoke limited English and had no legal representation, didn’t push back immediately. Advocacy groups say this reflects a systemic failure to protect vulnerable youth, especially girls of color.
When will we know the official cause of death?
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office estimates results will be finalized by mid-December 2025. The body’s advanced decomposition and dismemberment have complicated the process. Toxicology and skeletal analysis are still ongoing. The findings could determine whether charges include murder or manslaughter, depending on whether death was intentional or occurred during an altercation.