LAPD Names Pop Singer d4vd as Suspect in Death of 15-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
When the stench from a Tesla parked at a Los Angeles tow yard became unbearable, neighbors didn’t expect to uncover the dismembered remains of a 15-year-old girl — or that the car belonged to a rising pop star. On September 8, 2025, the badly decomposed body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found inside the front trunk of a vehicle registered to d4vd, the 20-year-old musician whose real name is David. By November 19, 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department had officially named him a suspect in her death — a case that has stunned fans, shocked the city, and exposed the dark underbelly of fame’s fleeting glow.
The Discovery That Shook Los Angeles
It started with a complaint. Residents near the tow yard on the city’s east side reported a rotting odor so strong it made them gag. When authorities finally opened the trunk of the Tesla, they found Celeste’s body wrapped in a heavy-duty plastic bag, her remains severely decomposed and dismembered. The timing was chilling: the car had been impounded weeks earlier after a traffic violation, and sat unclaimed for months. No one noticed. No one checked. The body was so degraded that forensic teams couldn’t immediately determine if she was killed or died from natural causes. That uncertainty, combined with the gruesome nature of the discovery, turned a local missing persons case into a national nightmare. Celeste, last seen in early 2024, had vanished without a trace — her disappearance buried under the noise of daily life until the smell forced the truth into the open.Who Is d4vd? And Why Is He a Suspect?
d4vd — pronounced "David" — is a 20-year-old indie-pop artist whose haunting, lo-fi tracks have amassed over 200 million streams on Spotify since 2022. He’s known for lyrics about isolation, emotional decay, and teenage angst. His fanbase, mostly teens and young adults, idolizes his vulnerability. The contrast between his music and the horror of this case is jarring. LAPD investigators say the evidence linking him to the crime is circumstantial but compelling. His Tesla was the only vehicle at the tow yard with a matching registration. His rental home in Hollywood was searched on November 15, 2025. Crime scene photos show detectives carrying away a laptop, external hard drives, and what appeared to be handwritten journals. One source told NBC4 that investigators believe he had help disposing of the body — suggesting more than one person is involved. Here’s the twist: d4vd hasn’t spoken to police since the investigation began. His legal team hasn’t responded to requests for comment. No arrest has been made. And yet, authorities say they now have a clearer timeline — placing Celeste’s death sometime between March and May 2025, with her body stored in the car’s trunk for months before being towed.
Why This Case Feels Different
This isn’t just another celebrity scandal. It’s a failure of systems. Celeste was a high school sophomore. She had friends, teachers, a family. Yet no one filed a formal missing person report until September — over 18 months after she vanished. LAPD records show no active investigation into her disappearance until the Tesla was flagged. That delay is now under internal review. Meanwhile, d4vd’s rise was meteoric. He performed at Coachella in 2024. His album Ghost in the Machine dropped in January 2025. He had a tour scheduled for November — now canceled. His label, Interscope Records, issued a terse statement: "We are devastated by these allegations and are cooperating fully with authorities." But here’s what’s haunting: his music. One song, "I Buried Her in the Trunk," released in February 2025, features lyrics like: "She asked me to stay / I told her I’d be back / Now she’s quiet / And the car smells like rain." Police haven’t confirmed if the song is evidence — but fans are re-listening. And crying.What Happens Next?
The LAPD Homicide Division has assembled a task force. They’re analyzing digital footprints — texts, location pings, social media activity from both d4vd and Celeste’s accounts. They’re also interviewing people who knew her: classmates, bartenders at the diner she worked at part-time, even the tow yard employees who handled the Tesla. One chilling detail: Celeste’s phone was last pinged near d4vd’s studio in Silver Lake on April 12, 2025. The device was never recovered. Investigators believe it may have been destroyed. If charges are filed, it will be for murder — or possibly child endangerment and evidence tampering. But without a cause of death, prosecutors face an uphill battle. Forensic pathologists are still running tests on bone fragments and tissue samples. Results are expected by January 2026.
The Family’s Silence
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s family has not spoken publicly. No photos of her have been released by authorities. No memorials have been organized. In a city where missing teens often become hashtags, she’s been erased — until now. Her story is a gut punch to every parent who worries their child might vanish without a trace. It’s a warning to the music industry that fame doesn’t shield you from consequences — it just delays them.Frequently Asked Questions
How did d4vd’s music become relevant to the investigation?
Investigators are reviewing lyrics from d4vd’s 2025 album Ghost in the Machine, particularly the track "I Buried Her in the Trunk," which contains disturbingly specific imagery matching the crime scene. While not admissible as direct evidence yet, the song’s timing and content are being analyzed for potential intent or confession. Fans have flagged it as eerily predictive, and prosecutors may use it to establish pattern or motive if charges are filed.
Why hasn’t d4vd been arrested yet?
Without a confirmed cause of death, prosecutors can’t prove homicide. LAPD has enough for a suspect warrant but not enough for an arrest warrant under California law. They’re still awaiting forensic results on tissue samples and are seeking digital evidence from d4vd’s devices. His refusal to cooperate is complicating things — but legally, silence isn’t enough for arrest.
Could there be other suspects involved?
Yes. Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC4 and Entertainment Tonight that investigators believe d4vd had help disposing of the body. That could mean a friend, roadie, or even someone from his label. Authorities are reviewing security footage from his studio, tour bus, and the tow yard for additional faces. One unnamed source said they’re looking at two other individuals who had access to the Tesla during the critical window in April and May 2025.
What does this mean for other young artists in the music industry?
This case has sparked new scrutiny over the lack of oversight for underage artists and their entourages. Many young musicians like d4vd are signed to labels before turning 18, with minimal legal or mental health protections. Industry insiders say this tragedy could push for mandatory chaperone laws and background checks for staff working with minors — especially on tour. The Recording Academy is reportedly reviewing its youth artist policies as we speak.
How long will the investigation take?
Forensic testing alone could take until March 2026. If charges are filed, pre-trial motions could stretch the case into 2027. LAPD says they’re committed to closing it — but with no body, no confession, and no clear cause of death, this could become one of the most complex homicide investigations in Los Angeles history. The family deserves answers. The public deserves justice. But time, unfortunately, is running out — for both.
