Mystery continues to surround the case of a teenager found in the trunk of a vehicle as investigators confirm that D4vd, the rising music artist whose Tesla contained the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, has not been named a suspect in the ongoing investigation.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives have been carefully piecing together evidence since September 8, when Celeste’s body was discovered in the trunk of the Tesla after it had been towed from a Los Angeles street.
The vehicle, which had been parked long enough to receive a parking citation on September 3, yielded few immediate answers about how the teenager’s remains ended up there. Authorities have seized various items from D4vd’s former residence, including electronics and computers, as part of their efforts to reconstruct the timeline of events leading to this tragic discovery.
Celeste, who had a documented history of running away from home with multiple missing person reports filed earlier in 2024, was last seen alive in Lake Elsinore. The medical examiner has yet to determine the cause and manner of death, with autopsy results still pending—a vital factor in determining whether criminal charges might eventually be filed in connection with her death.
D4vd has reportedly been cooperative with investigators throughout the process, though he has maintained public silence about the case. The investigation has nonetheless impacted his career, leading to the cancellation of his tour and pausing promotion of his album. Despite the challenges, music industry experts note that D4vd could still receive performance royalties from his existing works while the investigation continues.
Prior to this incident, D4vd had been focused on building his personal brand through consistent music releases and fan engagement, as many successful independent artists do.
Community members in both Los Angeles and Lake Elsinore have expressed concern and dismay over the case, particularly given Celeste’s young age. When discovered, the victim’s remains weighed only 71 pounds and had distinctive tattoos, adding to the disturbing nature of the case. Investigators believe the victim may have been deceased for several weeks before her body was discovered, complicating efforts to gather evidence. Her family had previously made public pleas for her return before the discovery of her body.
Legal experts note that determining criminal culpability hinges on whether Celeste’s death is ruled a homicide and establishing connections between any potential suspects and both her death and the concealment of her body.
As the investigation continues, police emphasize that no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed against any individuals.
