Additional Coverage:
Teen’s Body Found in Singer D4vd’s Tesla, Death Investigation Underway
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause and manner of death of a 15-year-old girl whose body was discovered earlier this month in a Tesla registered to singer David Anthony Burke, professionally known as D4vd. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has identified the deceased as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teen from Lake Elsinore who was reported missing last year.
The grim discovery occurred on September 8 at a Hollywood impound lot. The vehicle had been towed from a Los Angeles street two days prior. Police sources indicated that officers responded to the lot following reports of a foul odor emanating from the Tesla and subsequently located the body, which was in a state of decomposition, in its front trunk.
In an update released Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD) confirmed they have been “diligently investigating” Rivas Hernandez’s death for several weeks. Investigators believe the teen may have been deceased for an extended period before her body was found.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the cause or manner of Rivas Hernandez’s death, with both listed as “pending investigation” and “deferred” on her death certificate. Sources close to the investigation suggest that lab tests and toxicology reports will be crucial in understanding how she died.
Authorities have clarified that this remains a death investigation, not yet classified as a homicide. The death certificate also noted that the teen was not pregnant, nor had she been in the past year, and her remains were found a day after her 15th birthday.
“As such, it remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body,” police stated. “RHD is thoroughly examining every aspect of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family.”
Following the identification of the body, a Los Angeles home where D4vd had been residing was searched by law enforcement sources later that night. The 20-year-old singer, who gained prominence on TikTok, has since canceled the remaining dates of his “Withered” world tour, including shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Promotion for the deluxe edition of his debut album, slated for a September 19 release, has also been paused. Representatives and legal counsel for D4vd have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Police have stated that no additional information is being released at this time, requesting “the public’s patience and understanding as we continue this investigation.”