R&B Singer D4vd Named Suspect in Teen's Dismembered Body Discovery

The dismembered body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 15-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California, was found inside a Tesla vehicle at a Los Angeles County tow yard in September 2025 — triggering a homicide investigation that has turned the spotlight on 20-year-old R&B artist D4vd (real name David). The car had been abandoned one block from the Hollywood Hills home D4vd was renting at the time, according to KTLA News reporter Mary Beth McDade. The grim discovery came more than a year after Celeste vanished from her hometown, leaving a community in shock and fans of the rising musician scrambling for answers. D4vd, who was on tour when the body was found, has not been charged — but investigators are treating him as a suspect.

The Timeline That Led to a Horror

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive in Lake Elsinore, Riverside County, sometime in late 2023. Her disappearance went largely unnoticed for months, a tragic pattern too common for missing teens, especially in underserved communities. It wasn’t until September 2025 — after a routine tow of an unclaimed vehicle — that her remains were discovered inside the Tesla. The car had been parked in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles for weeks, its owner nowhere to be found. Police impounded the vehicle, and what they found inside sent shockwaves through law enforcement and the entertainment world.

According to KTLA, the Tesla had been reported abandoned by a neighbor who noticed it sitting idle for over a month. The vehicle’s GPS data, now under forensic review, shows it was last driven from the Hollywood Hills residence to a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County in spring 2025 — a trip investigators say lasted several hours in the middle of the night. TMZ reported that this journey, described by sources as a "triptych," remains unexplained. No witnesses, no photos, no public record of why D4vd would travel alone to a desolate area in the dead of night. That silence is now the loudest clue in the case.

Who Is D4vd? The Artist Behind the Suspicion

D4vd, born David, rose to fame in 2022 with his moody, genre-blending R&B tracks that resonated with Gen Z audiences. His music, often introspective and emotionally raw, painted him as a vulnerable artist — a persona that now feels jarringly at odds with the investigation. He lived in a modest rental in the Hollywood Hills, a far cry from the mansions of A-list stars, but still a world away from the quiet streets of Lake Elsinore where Celeste lived. Friends describe him as quiet, private, and intensely focused on his craft. No prior criminal record. No known connection to Celeste — at least, none that’s surfaced publicly.

But proximity isn’t always coincidence. The fact that her body was found in his car — dismembered, wrapped in plastic, and hidden beneath floor mats — creates a physical link investigators can’t ignore. The Tesla’s interior was sealed with forensic tape, and trace evidence is still being analyzed. Police have confirmed they’re examining DNA, fiber samples, and digital footprints from his phone and social media accounts.

The Silence of the District Attorney

As of late September 2025, no formal charges have been filed. An official from the District Attorney’s office — whose jurisdiction remains undisclosed, though likely Riverside or Los Angeles County — told KTLA: "The police have not presented the case to our office so at this point I cannot anticipate one way or the other whether or not charges will be filed."

That’s not a dismissal. It’s a pause — and a critical one. In California, homicide investigations can take months, even years, before prosecutors weigh in. But this case carries unusual pressure. A minor’s death. Dismemberment. A celebrity suspect. The DA’s office knows the world is watching. They’re waiting for forensic reports, cell tower pings, and possibly surveillance footage from the Santa Barbara location — a spot so remote, it’s unclear if cameras even exist there.

Meanwhile, D4vd’s management team has issued a single statement: "David is cooperating fully with authorities. He is devastated by this tragedy and respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time." No mention of Celeste by name. No offer of condolences. That silence speaks volumes.

Why This Case Matters Beyond the Headlines

This isn’t just another celebrity scandal. It’s a brutal reminder of how easily vulnerable teens can disappear — and how power, fame, and digital anonymity can obscure the truth. Celeste’s family has not spoken publicly. No photos of her have been released by police. Her name barely registers in national headlines compared to D4vd’s. That imbalance is telling.

The case also raises questions about celebrity safety protocols. How many young fans have reached out to artists through DMs, concerts, or social media? How many of those interactions go unmonitored? Celeste’s disappearance may have started with a simple message — a "Hey, I love your music" — that spiraled into something unspeakable.

And then there’s the Santa Barbara trip. Why there? Why then? Why in the dark? Investigators believe it may be tied to the dismemberment itself — perhaps a ritual, or a place chosen to avoid detection. The terrain is rugged, sparsely populated. No cell service. No witnesses. Just silence.

What Happens Next?

The LAPD and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department are now working jointly on the case. A timeline is unclear, but experts say the DA’s office typically waits for full forensic reports — including toxicology, ballistics (if weapons were involved), and digital reconstruction — before filing charges. That could take another 30 to 90 days.

If charges are filed, D4vd could face murder, dismemberment, and evidence tampering charges — all felonies carrying life sentences. If not, the case may go cold, leaving Celeste’s family without closure and the public without answers.

One thing’s certain: the music industry won’t be the same. Labels are already reviewing how they vet artist behavior, especially with minors. Concert security is tightening. Social media platforms are being pressured to flag suspicious DMs between artists and underage fans. The ripple effect is just beginning.