Additional Coverage:
- Celeste Rivas’ ex says he ‘had a feeling’ it was her after body found in Dv4d’s Tesla (themirror.com)
Investigation Continues Into Tragic Death of Celeste Rivas; Ex-Boyfriend Claims Knowledge of Relationship with Singer Dv4d
The tragic death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas remains under active investigation, after her dismembered and decomposing body was discovered in the trunk of a vehicle belonging to singer Dv4d. Authorities estimate the victim may have been deceased for “several weeks” before her body was found.
Amidst the ongoing inquiry, Damien Hernandez, 15, who identified himself as Rivas’s former middle school boyfriend, has claimed he was aware of her relationship with Dv4d prior to her disappearance. In an interview, Hernandez stated he briefly dated Rivas when they were in 7th and 8th grade, respectively, at Lake Elsinore Middle School.
Hernandez described Rivas as “looking for something serious” during their middle school years and indicated that her “unhappy” home life contributed to her seeking stability.
Recounting his reaction to the news of Rivas’s identification, Hernandez expressed profound shock. “My heart dropped.
I just couldn’t believe it,” he stated. “I kind of had a feeling when I saw like the first thing, I was like, what if it is her?
But I just brushed it off. But when I saw it really was her, I was like, damn, I really knew.”
He recalled learning of her identification while on his way to school, after his mother showed him the news.
Law enforcement officials continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Rivas’s death. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that detectives are still awaiting the results of the autopsy, and the investigation is ongoing.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has currently listed Rivas’s cause of death as “deferred.” This designation indicates that further testing and studies are required, and a final determination on the cause of death could take “a few months.” The medical examiner’s office cited the ongoing death investigation as the reason for not disclosing specific details about the requested tests.
In connection with the case, singer Dv4d, legally identified as David Anthony Burke, has had his residence searched, and several items, including a computer, have been seized by investigators. Following the news of Rivas’s death, Dv4d canceled the remainder of his North American and European tours, which were slated to begin in mid-September.
As of the current stage of the investigation, Dv4d has not been charged with any crimes, nor has he been officially named as a person of interest.