When the decomposing body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in the trunk of a Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard on September 8, 2024, few could have guessed the case would soon牵连 a rising music star. Now, more than a year later, law enforcement sources tell ABC News and KTLA that David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd, is being treated as a suspect in her death. No arrests have been made. No charges filed. But the investigation, quietly grinding forward since last fall, has taken a chilling turn.
The Discovery That Shook a Community
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager from Lake Elsinore, California, had vanished in April 2024 after a pattern of running away from home. Unlike previous disappearances — she’d returned each time — this one was different. Her last known call to her family came at the end of May 2024. Then silence. For months, her parents searched. Friends posted flyers. Social media campaigns went viral. But nothing. Until September 8, 2024, when a tow yard employee, sorting impounded vehicles, opened the trunk of a Tesla Model S registered to D4vd — and found her. The car had been towed in June 2024 after being abandoned near a West Hollywood parking structure. Authorities didn’t immediately open the trunk. It wasn’t until months later, during a routine inventory, that the horror was uncovered. By then, decomposition had made identification difficult. Dental records confirmed it was Celeste.Why D4vd? The Evidence That’s Emerging
The connection between D4vd and Celeste remains murky, but investigators are piecing together a timeline that’s deeply troubling. According to an ABC7 source with direct knowledge of the case, “They’re focusing in on certain individuals, and those individuals are concerned now.” Multiple reports suggest D4vd may have had help disposing of the body — possibly even transporting it from Riverside County to Los Angeles under cover of night. TMZ cited an unnamed source claiming that in the spring of 2025, D4vd took a late-night trip to a remote area in the San Bernardino foothills — a detail that hasn’t been publicly confirmed but aligns with investigators’ interest in potential secondary disposal sites. The Tesla, registered to Burke, was impounded months before the body was found, yet authorities waited until November 2025 to publicly link him to the case. Why the delay? The answer lies in one critical factor: the coroner still hasn’t determined how Celeste died. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to release a cause or manner of death — not even whether it was homicide, accident, or suicide. That lack of clarity has stalled the prosecution’s ability to build a case. But sources say forensic teams are working around the clock. A toxicology report is pending. Trauma analysis is underway. And digital evidence — phone records, location data, surveillance footage — is being cross-referenced.
A Star’s Shadow
D4vd, born David Anthony Burke in 2004, is 20 years old and one of the most streamed new artists on Spotify, with over 33 million monthly listeners. His breakout hits — “Here with Me,” “Romantic Homicide” — are anthems for Gen Z, filled with moody lyrics about loneliness, love, and loss. His fans, many of them teenagers, have built a cult following. That’s part of why this case exploded in the media. “People don’t just see a singer,” said Dr. Lena Ruiz, a forensic psychologist at UCLA who studies celebrity-criminal media cycles. “They see a reflection of their own emotions. When something like this happens, the public reaction isn’t just about guilt or innocence — it’s about fear. Who are the people we trust in our digital lives?” D4vd has not made a public statement. His representatives have declined to comment. His social media accounts have been silent since late September 2024, when he deleted his Instagram and Twitter profiles. His last post, on September 5, 2024, was a cryptic photo of a car’s headlights at dusk — no caption.What Happened to Celeste?
Celeste’s family has not spoken publicly. Her mother, Maria Hernandez, reportedly told neighbors in early 2024 that Celeste “just needed space,” but added, “This time… I don’t know.” Friends say she was quiet, artistic, and deeply sensitive — often writing poetry in a spiral notebook she carried everywhere. She was last seen wearing a red hoodie and black jeans, carrying a small backpack. Her disappearance coincided with a period of intense social media activity by D4vd, who was touring the West Coast and promoting his debut EP. Records show he was in Los Angeles on April 12, 2024 — the same day Celeste was last seen alive by a school counselor. He was in Riverside County on May 28, 2024 — the day after her final phone call.
What’s Next?
The Los Angeles Police Department has declined to comment, as is standard in active investigations. But sources say detectives are pursuing three key leads: who else helped move the body, whether Celeste was alive when placed in the trunk, and whether D4vd’s music contains hidden references to the crime. The medical examiner’s office has reportedly received a new batch of tissue samples for re-testing. If they find evidence of trauma, poisoning, or asphyxiation, prosecutors may be able to file charges within weeks. If not, the case could stall for months — or years. For now, Celeste’s family waits. Her bedroom in Lake Elsinore remains untouched. Her school keeps her locker open. And on Spotify, “Romantic Homicide” continues to climb — now with over 120 million streams.Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t D4vd been arrested if he’s a suspect?
No arrest has been made because prosecutors lack sufficient evidence to prove intent or causation — especially without a confirmed cause of death. The medical examiner hasn’t ruled the death a homicide, and there’s no direct forensic link placing D4vd with Celeste at the time of her death. Investigators need either a confession, eyewitness testimony, or conclusive digital evidence to move forward.
How did Celeste end up in D4vd’s Tesla?
Authorities believe the vehicle was used to transport her body from Riverside County to Los Angeles after her death, possibly with assistance from others. The Tesla was abandoned in June 2024, and the trunk wasn’t opened until September. Investigators are reviewing GPS data, toll records, and surveillance footage from gas stations and highways between Lake Elsinore and Hollywood to trace the vehicle’s movements.
Is there any connection between D4vd’s music and Celeste’s death?
Investigators are examining lyrics, unpublished demos, and deleted social media posts for potential clues. His song “Romantic Homicide” — released before Celeste’s disappearance — contains lines about burying someone and forgetting their name. While not proof, it’s being analyzed alongside other digital artifacts. Forensic linguists are also comparing his writing style to any notes found near Celeste’s belongings.
Why did it take over a year for D4vd to be named a suspect?
The delay stems from the lack of a cause of death and the complexity of tracing digital and physical evidence across jurisdictions. Celeste’s history of running away initially made her case low priority. Once the Tesla was linked to D4vd, investigators had to verify his whereabouts during key dates, analyze his communications, and rule out other suspects. The November 2025 media reports reflect the point where enough circumstantial evidence accumulated to classify him as a person of interest — now elevated to suspect.