D4vd and Celeste Rivas: In early September 2025 authorities discovered human remains inside a Tesla registered to the singer known as d4vd (David Anthony Burke). The Los Angeles County medical examiner has identified the remains as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, in April 2024. Los Angeles police are investigating and have described the matter as a homicide inquiry; the probe is active and no criminal charges had been announced publicly as of this update.
Below is a clear, step-by-step briefing that explains the background, the developing evidence reported by authorities and reputable outlets, what we don’t yet know, and how readers should interpret and follow future updates. I link only to verified reporting at the end.
1) Quick timeline — key events at a glance
- April 5, 2024: Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing from Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, according to public missing-person records.
- Early September 2025 (Sept. 8): Employees at a Hollywood tow yard reported a foul odor coming from a black Tesla that had been impounded after being found abandoned. Inside a bag in the car’s front trunk (frunk), workers discovered human remains. The car was registered to musician David Anthony Burke (stage name d4vd).
- Mid-September 2025: Forensic testing and medical-examiner identification confirmed the remains were those of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Local law enforcement characterized the case as a homicide investigation and is gathering evidence. Officials have said the cause and manner of death are still pending further forensic analysis.
D4vd and Celeste Rivas: These are the load-bearing facts established by multiple major news organizations and by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office. Read on for more context and what investigators have publicly disclosed.
2) Who is d4vd (David Anthony Burke)?
- Stage name: d4vd (often stylized lowercase) — pronounced “David.”
- Background: Born David Anthony Burke (2005), raised partly in Houston after being born in Queens, New York. He rose rapidly on TikTok and streaming platforms through viral tracks like “Romantic Homicide” and other alt-pop singles, signing with labels and touring in 2024–25. d4vd became a prominent Gen-Z alt-pop artist with a large online following.
Important — reporting so far shows the Tesla where the body was found was registered to Burke; investigators have said the vehicle was impounded after being found abandoned in the Hollywood Hills. Media reports suggest Burke was on tour when the discovery was made and that he has been cooperating with authorities; however, cooperation and presence at the scene are separate from criminal culpability, and the investigation remains ongoing. Do not assume guilt without formal charges and adjudication.
3) Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
- Identity: According to the Los Angeles County medical examiner and multiple news outlets, the remains have been identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a girl who had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore (Riverside County) in April 2024. Reports indicate she was 13 when last seen in 2024 and would be 15 at the time of identification in 2025.
- Public records & missing-person alerts: Local law-enforcement missing-person postings and media accounts show Celeste’s disappearance was investigated at the county level in 2024. The identification of recovered remains as Celeste was confirmed by forensic methods, according to the medical examiner’s office. Authorities are continuing to establish timeline and movement between the initial missing-person report and the discovery of the remains.
4) What the police and medical examiner have publicly said (official posture)
- Discovery & forensic identification: Los Angeles police responded to a tow-yard report and recovered a decomposed body inside the Tesla’s front trunk. The Los Angeles County medical examiner identified the remains through forensic testing; officials have described the death as under investigation with the cause/manner pending.
- Homicide investigation: LAPD sources and local reporting indicate the case is being treated as a homicide investigation. That framing affects investigative priorities — crime-scene forensics, vehicle history and movements, phone/device forensics and witness interviews. Investigators have said the vehicle appeared to have been abandoned for weeks in the Hollywood Hills prior to towing.
- No public charges yet: As of this update, officials have not announced criminal charges tied to the identification. Investigations of this nature typically take time to analyze forensic results and build a prosecutable case. Watch for prosecutor filings and press-conference updates for any charge announcements.
5) What media outlets (and investigators) report about links between the parties
Several outlets have reported details that are allegations or developing leads rather than proven facts. For example, some reporting references that family members of the missing teen had previously named a boyfriend “David” — a detail published by a few outlets citing the teen’s relatives — but such details require caution: names are common, and press statements might reflect family belief not legal findings. Other outlet coverage notes that the car bore the legal registration of Burke and that the vehicle had been parked for an extended period before being impounded. Those facts — car registration and location — are documented; motives, relationships, or criminal responsibility remain under investigation and unproven until official charging decisions or court findings.
Bottom line on links: verified facts include (1) a body was found in a Tesla registered to d4vd, and (2) the body has been identified as missing teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Any other asserted relationship or motive should be treated as unconfirmed until law enforcement or prosecutors present evidence in court.
6) Why reporters and the public must be careful now — legal and ethical notes
This is a live criminal investigation involving deceased and living persons. Responsible coverage must follow key rules:
- Avoid premature attribution of guilt. Under U.S. law, guilt is determined in court. Report facts (who, what, where), and attribute claims to investigators or named documents. Don’t assert someone committed a crime without a formal charging instrument or verdict.
- Protect privacy and avoid doxxing. Families and bystanders are vulnerable in breaking-news coverage; avoid amplifying unverified personal details or leaked private data.
- Rely on official channels for updates. LAPD press releases, the Los Angeles County medical examiner announcements, and local prosecutors’ filings are the authoritative sources for legal status and cause-of-death findings.
7) Social media and public reaction — what’s been happening online
- Rapid spread of video and screenshots: As with many high-profile cases involving public figures, social platforms have circulated video clips, user speculation, and screenshots of secondary material. Some of that content is later corrected or disproven. Treat viral posts as tips — not facts — unless corroborated by reliable reporting.
- Safety concerns & misinformation: Misleading claims can harm investigations and individuals. If you see potentially relevant evidence (photos, videos of events, or credible eyewitness information), the responsible action is to contact law enforcement rather than broadly repost unverified material.
8) What investigators are likely to pursue next (typical steps in such cases)
Based on standard investigative practice and public statements reporting what police said, investigators will likely pursue:
- Vehicle forensics: Check the Tesla’s telemetry, ownership history, GPS history, and any call logs linked to the car.
- Forensic pathology: Medical examiner analyses to determine the cause and manner of death and timing.
- Digital forensics: Examining phones, social accounts and messages for timelines and connections between the missing person and any individuals tied to the vehicle.
- Witness canvass and cell-tower data: Establish movements of the vehicle and any potential witnesses who saw the car parked or abandoned.
- Chain-of-custody documentation: Ensure all evidence is collected and preserved for possible prosecution.
Investigators will publicly release details as the case moves toward charging decisions; observers should watch official LAPD updates or district-attorney filings for definitive information.
9) How reporters and readers should follow this story responsibly
- Bookmark official sources: LAPD press pages, Los Angeles County medical examiner releases, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (for missing-person records) are primary.
- Wait for charges: Don’t treat arrest rumors or social-media accusations as definitive. Prosecutors will file charging documents if sufficient evidence exists.
- Support missing-person resources: If you have legitimate, location-specific tips about a missing person, contact local law enforcement or established hotlines — not social channels.
10) FAQ — concise answers readers are searching for
Q: Has d4vd been arrested or charged?
A: As of this update (September 2025) authorities have not publicly announced criminal charges against d4vd. The investigation is ongoing and being handled by LAPD and the LA County medical examiner.
Q: Who identified the remains as Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
A: The Los Angeles County medical examiner publicly confirmed the identification following forensic testing.
Q: Where was Celeste last seen?
A: Public missing-person reports indicate she was last seen April 5, 2024, in Lake Elsinore, Riverside County.
Q: Is the cause of death known?
A: The medical examiner listed the cause and manner of death as pending/deferred while forensic testing continues. Authorities have described the matter as a homicide investigation.
11) Resources — who to contact with tips or concerns
- Los Angeles Police Department (non-emergency and tip lines): Use official LAPD channels or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line if you believe you have information.
- Riverside County Sheriff / Missing-person unit: For information on Celeste’s missing-person report and community resources.
- National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs): Offers public records and support resources.
If you have specific, actionable information (photos, direct eyewitness memory), contact local law enforcement rather than posting on social media.
12) Verified sources & links (checked September 2025)
Below are the authoritative, working news items and official resources used to compile this article. I verified these pages as accessible at the time of writing.
- People — “Body Found in Singer d4vd’s Impounded Tesla Identified as Missing Teenage Girl.”
https://people.com/body-found-d4vd-impounded-tesla-identified-missing-teenage-girl-11811955. (People.com) - Los Angeles Times — “Authorities identify 15-year-old girl found dead in singer d4vd’s impounded Tesla.”
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-17/authorities-id-15-year-old-girl-found-dead-in-singer-d4vds-impounded-tesla. (Los Angeles Times) - San Francisco Chronicle — “Body found in singer D4vd’s car ahead of S.F. show identified as missing teen.”
https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/d4vd-san-francisco-missing-teen-21053602.php. (San Francisco Chronicle) - Houston Chronicle — “Remains found in d4vd’s impounded Tesla in Los Angeles identified as 15-year-old.”
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/d4vd-tesla-remains-21053272.php. (Houston Chronicle) - Riverside County / Local missing-person notice (public information about Celeste’s March/April 2024 report). (Search local sheriff’s site or NamUs for the original missing-person poster.) (Yahoo)
Final takeaways — how to interpret today’s reporting
- Verified: Human remains were found in a Tesla registered to musician d4vd; the Los Angeles County medical examiner has identified the remains as missing teen Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The discovery and identification are corroborated by multiple major news outlets and by official medical-examiner statements.
- Ongoing: The LAPD is treating the matter as a homicide investigation; cause and manner of death are pending. No public criminal charges have been announced as of this update.
- Responsible approach: Follow official law-enforcement updates and avoid amplifying unverified social-media claims. If you have relevant information, provide it to investigators via official tip lines.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes verified reporting and official statements available as of September 2025. It is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The investigation described is active and details may change as law enforcement publishes new findings or prosecutors file charges. TrenBuzz.com aims to use reputable sources; if you have verifiable corrections from primary documents or official filings, please contact us so we can update the article. Images used in this article are royalty‑free or licensed for commercial use and are provided here for illustrative purposes.