When the trunk of a Tesla was opened in the quiet hills of Hollywood Hills on September 8, 2025, what investigators found wasn’t just a body—it was a chilling mystery tied to a rising music star. The remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, last seen alive in Lake Elsinore in April 2024, had been hidden for over a year. Now, the Los Angeles Police Department has named rising R&B artist David Burke, known professionally as D4vd, as a suspect in her death. And they’re treating it as a homicide.
The Discovery That Shook Los Angeles
The Tesla, abandoned for nearly a month near a residential street in the Hollywood Hills, was impounded after neighbors reported its unusual, unclaimed presence. When officers pried open the trunk, they found Celeste’s remains. The timing was grim: spring 2024, when she vanished from her family home in Lake Elsinore, roughly 60 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Her disappearance went unnoticed for months—until the car’s discovery forced the case into the light.
What made the case even more unsettling was the pattern of behavior that followed. Within weeks of the body’s discovery, D4vd canceled his nationwide tour. He packed up his rental in the Hollywood Hills and vanished—relocating to Texas, according to LAPD sources cited by NBC4 News. His publicist initially claimed he was cooperating with investigators. But insiders later told reporters that claim was false. He didn’t cooperate. He disappeared.
Connections, Confessions, and a Mysterious Trip
A relative of Celeste confirmed to NBC4 that she had a personal relationship with D4vd. Not a fan connection. Not a casual acquaintance. Something deeper. That detail alone turned a missing persons case into a potential murder investigation.
Then came the Santa Barbara County trip. KTLA News reported that investigators uncovered evidence of an overnight journey D4vd made in spring 2025—nearly a year after Celeste’s death—to a remote, unpopulated stretch of land in Santa Barbara County. He arrived after midnight, stayed for hours, and left without a trace. No witnesses. No receipts. Just a GPS ping and a silent car.
"It doesn’t add up," said one LAPD detective, speaking anonymously. "Why would a 21-year-old artist drive 95 miles in the middle of the night to a place no one goes, just to sit? And why after the body was already hidden?"
Who Else Was Involved?
Here’s the twist: LAPD now believes D4vd didn’t act alone. Sources told NBC4 that investigators have reason to believe another person helped dispose of Celeste’s body. That person? Still unknown. No names have been released. No warrants filed. But the investigation has widened.
Authorities are now combing through D4vd’s phone records, DMs, and social media activity from early 2024 through late 2025. They’re analyzing his financial transactions—especially payments to rental properties and car services around the time of Celeste’s disappearance. They’re also reviewing footage from security cameras near his Hollywood Hills residence and the Tesla’s parking spot.
The fact that Celeste’s body was found in a Tesla—not a junker, not a stolen car, but a high-end vehicle registered to D4vd—raises more questions than answers. Why that car? Why leave it parked in plain sight for weeks? Was it a mistake? Or a message?
The Family’s Silence Speaks Volumes
Celeste’s family, still grieving in Lake Elsinore, has refused to speak to media. Not out of distrust, but because they’re exhausted. They’ve been through this before—first when she vanished, then when rumors swirled, then when the body was found. Now, with D4vd named as a suspect, they’re waiting. For charges. For justice. For answers.
"They just want to know why," said a close family friend, who asked not to be named. "They don’t care about fame. They don’t care about fame. They just want to know what happened to their daughter."
What Happens Next?
The LAPD is working with prosecutors from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to build a case strong enough for arrest. If charges are filed, it could be one of the most high-profile homicide cases involving a young musician in recent memory.
D4vd, whose music has drawn comparisons to Frank Ocean and The Weeknd, has not made a public statement since his tour cancellation. His social media accounts remain silent. His label, Interscope Records, has issued no comment. In the music industry, silence often speaks louder than denial.
Meanwhile, the timeline keeps growing: April 2024—Celeste last seen. Spring 2024—death occurs. Spring 2025—mysterious Santa Barbara trip. September 8, 2025—body found. November 18, 2025—LAPD identifies suspect. November 19, 2025—case declared homicide. And now? The world waits.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about a singer. It’s about a 15-year-old girl who vanished without a trace—and a system that failed to notice until her body was found in a luxury car parked in one of the most visible neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
It’s about how quickly public figures can be shielded by fame, until the evidence becomes undeniable. It’s about the quiet corners where teenagers disappear—and the people who are supposed to protect them.
And it’s about the accomplice. Whoever they are. They’re still out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the LAPD link D4vd to Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Investigators connected D4vd through multiple threads: a confirmed personal relationship with Celeste, his rental property in the Hollywood Hills near where the Tesla was parked, his sudden relocation to Texas after the body was found, and digital evidence—including phone records and social media activity—placing him in proximity to her last known whereabouts in April 2024. A relative also confirmed their relationship to NBC4 News.
Why was the body hidden for over a year?
Authorities believe the body was concealed to delay discovery, possibly while D4vd’s career was gaining momentum. The Tesla, a high-profile vehicle, may have been chosen for its perceived security and anonymity. The delay suggests premeditation and an attempt to outlast public attention, which only intensified after the body was found in September 2025.
What role did the Santa Barbara County trip play in the investigation?
The overnight trip to a remote area of Santa Barbara County in spring 2025 is being treated as a critical clue. Investigators believe it may have been related to the final disposal or concealment of evidence. No physical evidence has been recovered there yet, but the timing—over a year after the death and after Celeste’s body was already hidden—makes it highly suspicious.
Is there any chance D4vd is being framed?
While all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, LAPD sources say the evidence against D4vd is substantial and corroborated by multiple independent sources: his actions, his movements, his communications, and the testimony of Celeste’s relative. No evidence currently suggests a setup, though investigators are still evaluating all possibilities.
What’s the status of the other suspect mentioned in the investigation?
LAPD confirmed an unnamed accomplice assisted in disposing of Celeste’s body, but no additional suspects have been publicly identified. Investigators are analyzing digital footprints, financial records, and social connections from Celeste’s circle. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD’s homicide division.
How long could this investigation take?
Homicide investigations involving digital evidence and multiple jurisdictions can take months or even years. Given the media attention and the complexity of tracing movements across three California counties, authorities expect the case to remain active well into 2026. Prosecutors will need conclusive forensic and digital proof before filing charges.