When the stench from a towed Tesla became too strong to ignore at a Hollywood impound lot on September 8, 2025, officers didn’t expect to find the body of a missing teenager—let alone uncover a case that would shake the music world. Inside the frunk of the electric sedan, investigators discovered the decomposing remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 15-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California. The car was registered to David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name D4vd, a 20-year-old pop singer whose rise to fame had been swift, intimate, and now, tragically, entangled in horror.
The Discovery That Shook Hollywood
The Tesla had been abandoned on a quiet street in Hollywood for about a month before being towed. Two days later, the odor drew attention. What officers found wasn’t just a dead body—it was a crime scene frozen in time. Celeste’s remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, consistent with death occurring months earlier—likely in the spring of 2025. She had been reported missing in late 2024, but her disappearance hadn’t triggered a major investigation until the body was found. The LAPD confirmed she was dismembered, and the method suggested more than one person was involved. "It wasn’t just disposal," one investigator told ABC News. "It was concealment. And it was deliberate."A Singer’s Sudden Silence
D4vd, who had just begun a national tour, abruptly canceled all dates days after the body was found. He moved out of his Hollywood Hills rental and relocated to Texas, according to NBC4 News. His representative initially claimed he was "cooperating fully" with police. But that story collapsed within days. LAPD sources later confirmed: "That was never true." He has not been seen publicly since, and investigators say he is now allegedly refusing to speak to them. The contrast between his public persona—soft vocals, emotional lyrics about loneliness and longing—and the brutality of the crime has left fans stunned. "I thought his music was about heartbreak," said one 17-year-old fan on social media. "Now I wonder if it was a warning."The Investigation’s Deepening Mystery
As of November 19, 2025, no arrests have been made. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the cause or manner of death—a critical missing piece. Without it, prosecutors can’t decide whether to charge D4vd with murder, manslaughter, or something else. But investigators say the timeline is clear: Celeste died months before her body was discovered, meaning her remains sat in that Tesla for weeks, possibly even months, while D4vd continued performing, posting on social media, and living his life.Complicating matters further, LAPD sources told NBC4 News they believe at least one other person helped move or dismember the body. "We’re not looking at a lone actor," said a detective familiar with the case. "The logistics of what they did, the tools needed, the timing—it’s not something one person could’ve managed alone." Authorities have interviewed multiple individuals connected to D4vd, including former roommates, crew members, and even fans who had private messages with him. One person reportedly told investigators they saw D4vd loading a large, wrapped object into the Tesla in late March 2025—around the time Celeste was last seen alive.
Why This Case Resonates Beyond the News
This isn’t just a crime story. It’s a cultural reckoning. Celeste was a teenager from a working-class neighborhood in Riverside County. D4vd, with his millions of Spotify streams and TikTok followers, represented the kind of fame that feels attainable—until it isn’t. His music, often described as "emo-pop," painted him as vulnerable, introspective. Now, those same lyrics are being dissected for hidden meanings. Fans are revisiting his songs about "burying feelings" and "silence that lasts too long." Some say it’s overreaching. Others say it’s the only way to make sense of the unthinkable.The case also highlights how easily missing persons—especially teens from marginalized communities—can slip through the cracks. Celeste vanished for over a year before her body was found. Her family, who live in Lake Elsinore, say they filed multiple reports and followed up with police, but nothing happened. "We kept asking," her mother told ABC News. "We just wanted someone to look for her."
What Happens Next?
The next major milestone is the Medical Examiner’s ruling. Once the cause of death is confirmed—whether it was blunt force trauma, asphyxiation, or something else—prosecutors will move quickly. D4vd is currently not under arrest, but he’s under active surveillance. His phone records, financial transactions, and digital communications are being analyzed. Investigators are also reviewing security footage from gas stations, parking lots, and even Tesla’s own remote monitoring system, which tracks vehicle location and door status. If the car’s trunk was opened or tampered with during the months it sat idle, that data could be pivotal.Meanwhile, the LAPD has reopened Celeste’s original missing person file as a homicide. They’re asking anyone who saw her in the weeks before her disappearance, or who noticed unusual activity around D4vd’s Hollywood home, to come forward. A reward of $50,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest.
Background: Who Are They?
David Anthony Burke was born in 2005 in California and began releasing music under the name D4vd in 2021. His breakout hit, "I’m Not Okay," went viral on TikTok in 2023, catapulting him to international attention. He’s toured with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and has over 8 million monthly Spotify listeners. He’s never been arrested before.Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 10th-grade student at Lake Elsinore High School. She loved drawing, writing poetry, and posting on Instagram under the handle @celeste_in_color. Her last post, on March 14, 2025, showed a selfie with the caption: "Feeling lost but still here."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t D4vd been arrested yet?
No arrest has been made because the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause of death, which is legally required to establish criminal intent and charges. Without knowing whether Celeste died from trauma, poisoning, or suffocation, prosecutors can’t confirm whether to pursue murder, manslaughter, or another charge. Investigators are still gathering digital evidence and waiting for forensic results.
Could someone else be responsible for Celeste’s death?
Yes. LAPD investigators believe at least one other person helped dismember and conceal Celeste’s body, based on the complexity of the crime and the physical demands involved. While D4vd is the primary suspect due to vehicle ownership and suspicious behavior, authorities are actively investigating associates, former friends, and even fans who had contact with him during spring 2025. No other names have been publicly released.
How did Celeste’s body stay hidden for so long?
The Tesla’s front trunk (frunk) is a sealed, insulated compartment with no ventilation, which slows decomposition and masks odor. Celeste’s body was likely wrapped or contained, further reducing scent. The car was parked in a residential area for weeks before being towed, and the impound lot didn’t inspect the vehicle’s interior until the smell became unbearable. Many similar cases have involved hidden bodies in vehicles for months before discovery.
Why didn’t police act sooner when Celeste was reported missing?
Celeste was reported missing in late 2024, but her case was initially treated as a runaway situation due to her age and lack of immediate signs of foul play. Teenagers from lower-income communities are disproportionately classified as runaways rather than potential victims. It wasn’t until her body was found in a vehicle linked to a public figure that the case received serious investigative resources. Her family says they pushed for action repeatedly, but were met with bureaucratic delays.
What role did social media play in this case?
Social media was a double-edged sword. D4vd’s fans analyzed his posts for clues, while investigators used his public activity to track his movements. Celeste’s Instagram account, which she last updated in March 2025, became a digital memorial. But it also revealed her emotional state in the weeks before she vanished—raising questions about whether she was being manipulated or isolated. Digital forensics teams are now analyzing her and D4vd’s direct messages, though many may have been deleted.
What’s the timeline for the next steps in this case?
The Medical Examiner’s report is expected within the next 30 days. Once received, prosecutors will review it alongside forensic evidence from the Tesla and witness statements. If there’s sufficient evidence, an arrest warrant could be issued by early January 2026. Meanwhile, the LAPD is expanding its search for potential accomplices and has requested federal assistance to analyze encrypted communications. The case will likely dominate headlines until charges are filed.