Celeste Rivas Hernandez was 14 years old when she was found dead in the trunk of a Tesla registered to musician d4vd in September. Now, a senior Los Angeles Police Department official is pushing back on disturbing rumors about the condition of her body.
LAPD Captain Scot Williams, the commanding officer of the Robbery-Homicide Division, says that contrary to speculation, Rivas Hernandez’s remains were neither frozen nor decapitated, despite reports circulating in local media and online.
According to Williams, her body showed no signs of being frozen, and there was no indication of decapitation. He added that the idea her body was partially frozen did not align with the circumstances of the case, noting that her remains had been inside the vehicle for weeks during the height of summer heat.
Rivas Hernandez was first reported missing from her home in Lake Elsinore, Calif., on April 5, 2024, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Her body was later discovered on Sept. 8 in the trunk of an impounded Tesla in the Hollywood Hills — one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. At the time of the discovery, d4vd (born David Anthony Burke) was on tour.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/d4vd-091825-c12414a26a1144f38430f2962542798d.jpg)
Last week, the singer was identified by police as a suspect in the case, according to a law enforcement source. That source also said the performer has allegedly not been cooperative with investigators, and that no criminal charges have yet been filed.
The LAPD, d4vd’s attorney and a representative for the musician did not immediately respond to previous requests for comment. However, the singer’s representative previously told NBC Los Angeles that he was “fully cooperating” with authorities.
In September, LAPD investigators executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills residence where the singer had been staying, in connection with Rivas Hernandez’s death, according to law enforcement sources.
The teen’s cause and manner of death remain undetermined.
On Monday, Nov. 24, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner announced that a court order, initiated by the LAPD, has placed a security hold on Rivas Hernandez’s case. The medical examiner’s office said that no records or details — including cause and manner of death or the full report — can be released or posted publicly until the court order is lifted. The office stated that information will be made available once the restriction is removed.
