When the trunk of a Tesla parked in the Hollywood Hills was opened on September 8, 2025, what investigators found wasn’t just a crime scene—it was a horror story that shook Los Angeles and sent ripples through the music world. The dismembered remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a student from Lake Elsinore, California, were discovered inside the vehicle registered to David Burke, better known by his stage name D4vd. Now, after months of forensic work and witness interviews, LAPD sources tell investigators believe D4vd likely had help dismembering and hiding her body—a chilling twist that suggests a far more complex crime than originally feared.
Timeline of a Hidden Tragedy
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive in April 2024, nearly 17 months before her remains were found. Her family reported her missing in late 2024, but the case went cold until the Tesla, parked in the Hollywood Hills for about a month, was impounded following a routine traffic violation. Inside, investigators found human remains wrapped in plastic and stored with surgical precision. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to rule on cause or manner of death, but sources confirm they expect to finalize the determination soon—possibly within weeks.
What’s even more disturbing is the timeline. Law enforcement sources told NBC4 Los Angeles that Celeste likely died in the spring of 2025—months before her body was discovered. That means her remains were kept, dismembered, and concealed while D4vd was on his ‘Withered’ world tour, performing to crowds of tens of thousands. He canceled his final shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles days after the discovery, then vanished from his rented Hollywood Hills home.
From TikTok Fame to Suspect
David Burke, 24, rose to fame through TikTok, where his moody, cinematic pop songs and haunting vocals earned him nearly 4 million followers. His music often explores isolation, grief, and emotional decay—themes that now feel eerily prescient. Friends described him as quiet, intensely private, and deeply focused on his art. But those close to him say he was also secretive about his personal life.
According to a relative of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, confirmed to NBC4, the teen had a relationship with Burke. Not romantic, sources say, but intimate enough that she visited him at his Los Angeles rental. That connection, now central to the investigation, explains how she ended up in his car.
Initial statements from Burke’s representative claimed he was “fully cooperating” with police. But multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News and NBC4 that those claims were false. “That was never true,” one source said. “He canceled the tour. He moved out of the house. He left California.” He’s been living in Houston, Texas, since mid-September, according to Click2Houston, where investigators have also begun searching properties tied to him.
‘Likely Had Help’—The Most Disturbing Detail
What makes this case particularly alarming is the level of planning involved. Dismembering a human body—especially one that may have been dead for weeks—is not a task easily accomplished alone. The process requires tools, strength, knowledge of anatomy, and time. And it leaves evidence.
“The way the remains were prepared, stored, and transported suggests more than one person was involved,” said an LAPD source speaking anonymously. “It’s not something you do in a basement alone after a long night.” Investigators believe another person—possibly someone with medical, surgical, or even butchery experience—helped dismember and dispose of Celeste’s body.
Authorities say they’ve contacted “multiple people” connected to the case, including acquaintances of D4vd and individuals who may have assisted with transportation or storage. One theory under investigation: that a friend or employee helped move the body from the rental home to the Tesla, then assisted in cleaning up.
Justice Delayed, But Not Denied
As of November 20, 2025, no arrests have been made. The lack of a confirmed cause of death—whether it was blunt force trauma, strangulation, or something else—has stalled formal charges. But prosecutors are said to be preparing for multiple charges: murder, desecration of a corpse, and possibly conspiracy if others are implicated.
Meanwhile, the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has remained silent. A memorial has been set up at her school in Lake Elsinore, and flowers still line the fence outside. Her grandmother, in a brief statement to a local news crew in October, said: “We just want to know why. We just want to bring her home.”
Investigators are now coordinating between LAPD, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and Houston PD. A warrant has reportedly been issued for electronic data from D4vd’s phones, laptops, and social media accounts. Text messages, deleted files, and location pings from his devices are being analyzed for any sign of planning, conversation, or accomplices.
What This Means for Fans and the Music Industry
This case has shattered the illusion of the anonymous pop star. D4vd built his brand on vulnerability—on singing about loneliness as if it were a shared secret. But now, fans are asking: How well did we really know him? And how many others are hiding in plain sight?
Music industry insiders say this could mark a turning point. Streaming platforms and labels are reviewing their vetting processes for young artists, especially those who gain fame rapidly through social media. “We used to think talent was enough,” said a former A&R executive. “Now we’re realizing we need to look at the whole person. And sometimes, the darkest parts are the ones you never see.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body end up in D4vd’s Tesla?
Authorities believe Celeste visited D4vd at his Hollywood Hills rental in spring 2025, where she was killed. Her body was then dismembered and stored temporarily before being placed in his Tesla, likely with assistance. The vehicle was parked in the same location for nearly a month before being impounded, suggesting deliberate concealment. Investigators are analyzing digital footprints from his devices to trace movements during that period.
Why hasn’t D4vd been arrested yet?
Prosecutors are waiting on the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s official ruling on cause and manner of death, which is required to file murder charges. Without that, they can’t prove intent or criminal liability. Additionally, they’re still gathering evidence on potential accomplices. An arrest may come quickly once the autopsy report is finalized, likely in December 2025.
Who might have helped D4vd dispose of the body?
Investigators are looking at several possibilities: a roommate, a tour manager, someone with medical training, or even a friend who helped clean the rental home. One theory involves a person who had access to tools or knowledge of anatomy—possibly someone who worked in a medical field or even a butcher shop. Authorities have interviewed at least five individuals connected to D4vd’s inner circle since October.
What’s the significance of D4vd moving to Texas?
His relocation to Houston—where he was raised—is seen as a deliberate attempt to distance himself from the investigation. Texas authorities are now assisting with searches of his family home and any properties linked to him there. Moving across state lines doesn’t shield him from prosecution, but it complicates evidence collection and increases the risk of evidence being destroyed or hidden.
Is this case connected to other missing teens in California?
So far, no direct links have been established, but investigators are reviewing unsolved cases from Riverside and Los Angeles counties between January and August 2025. Celeste’s case stands out due to the level of dismemberment and the involvement of a high-profile individual. Authorities are urging anyone with information about similar incidents to come forward, as patterns may emerge with more data.
What happens next in this investigation?
The medical examiner’s report is expected by early December. Once it’s released, prosecutors will likely seek arrest warrants for D4vd and possibly one or more accomplices. Simultaneously, digital forensics teams will continue analyzing his devices, and subpoenas are being issued to his music label, tour staff, and social media contacts. A grand jury could be convened by January 2026 if charges are filed.