D4vd and Others Under Scrutiny in Death of 15-Year-Old Celeste Rivas-Hernandez

The dismembered remains of Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, a 15-year-old girl from Southern California, were found inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to 20-year-old musician D4vd in Los Angeles in mid-September 2023 — a discovery that sent shockwaves through the music world and ignited a sprawling homicide investigation. The vehicle, impounded by the Los Angeles Police Department during routine processing, revealed signs of extreme decomposition and deliberate dismemberment. Though D4vd is a person of interest, investigators stress no one has been ruled out — and the case may involve multiple suspects. What makes this more than just another crime story is the chilling intersection of fame, digital culture, and a tragedy that unfolded in plain sight — while millions streamed his music.

From Viral Hits to Crime Scene

D4vd, whose real name remains undisclosed, rose to prominence through TikTok with haunting, genre-blending tracks like "Here with Me" and "Romantic Homicide." By September 2023, he boasted over 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 3.6 million followers on social media. His music, often steeped in themes of grief and isolation, found an audience among teenagers — the same demographic as his alleged victim. At the time of the discovery, D4vd was mid-tour, with a scheduled performance at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on September 20. Within hours of the body’s discovery, his management canceled all remaining dates. No official reason was given, but insiders told KABC the decision was immediate and unambiguous.

The Investigation Deepens

On September 15, 2023, LAPD detectives executed a search warrant at D4vd’s rented home in the Hollywood Hills. Officers removed a computer and other digital devices, according to on-site reporters. The property’s lease had already been terminated — D4vd had moved out days before the search. Meanwhile, in Cypress, Texas, a suburb of Houston, authorities responded to a false "swatting" call at his parents’ home on September 17. No intruders were found. Just six days later, on September 23, public records show D4vd transferred ownership of a single-family home in Cypress to his mother — a move that raises questions, though it’s not yet linked to any criminal charge.

The victim, Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, was last seen alive earlier in 2023. The condition of her remains suggests she died months before the Tesla was discovered. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner has yet to determine the exact cause of death, but LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division has treated the case as a murder since day one. The dismemberment points to a deliberate, possibly premeditated act — and the fact that the body was hidden in a vehicle registered to a celebrity suggests an attempt to delay detection.

Why This Case Captured the Nation

This isn’t just another missing teen case. It’s a collision of digital fame and real-world horror. D4vd’s music, consumed daily by millions of teens, often romanticizes emotional pain. That aesthetic, now inextricably tied to this crime, has sparked uncomfortable conversations about how online personas can mask dangerous realities. Fans who once shared his lyrics now scramble to delete playlists. Parents are questioning what their children are listening to. And for the first time, the spotlight isn’t just on the victim — it’s on the artist who may have had a role in her death.

The LAPD has not released a timeline for the investigation. Forensic analysis of the Tesla, the Hollywood Hills residence, and digital evidence from seized devices is ongoing. The decomposition of the body has slowed DNA and trace evidence recovery. Investigators are also reviewing surveillance footage, phone records, and social media activity from both D4vd and Celeste in the months leading up to her death.

What Comes Next?

No charges have been filed. D4vd has not been arrested. He has not made a public statement. His legal team has not responded to requests for comment. But the momentum of the case is undeniable. The Los Angeles Police Department is now coordinating with Texas authorities regarding the property transfer and the swatting incident. Prosecutors will need to prove intent, opportunity, and connection — and they have time. The case may take months, even years, to resolve.

Meanwhile, Celeste Rivas-Hernandez’s family remains silent, but their grief is felt in quiet memorials outside her school in Los Angeles. A candlelight vigil was held in early October. No one knows if justice will come. But the world is watching.