R&B Singer D4vd Named Suspect in Teen’s Homicide After Body Found in His Tesla

The decomposing body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla parked at an impound lot in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on September 8, 2025 — a grim find that would eventually lead detectives to one of music’s fastest-rising R&B stars. Now, nearly two months later, D4vd, the stage name of rising singer David, has been formally named a suspect in what Los Angeles Police Department investigators are treating as a homicide, according to multiple law enforcement sources confirmed by KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade on November 19, 2025. The body showed signs of dismemberment, and authorities believe the process of hiding it involved more than one person — a chilling detail that has sent shockwaves through the music world and the community where the teen vanished nearly two years ago.

From Missing to Mutilated: A Two-Year Timeline

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was last seen alive in April 2024, when she ran away from her home in Lake Elsinore, a quiet city in Riverside County. Her disappearance was initially handled by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, but jurisdiction shifted to LAPD after her remains were found in Los Angeles County. Investigators now believe she may have been dead for weeks — possibly months — before her body was discovered. The vehicle, a Tesla Model S registered to D4vd, had been towed after being reported for a foul odor. No one had checked the front trunk until a tow truck operator noticed something unusual beneath a tarp. What they found was beyond imagination.

The Singer’s Sudden Silence

At the time of Celeste’s disappearance, D4vd was a relatively unknown artist with a cult following. By early 2025, he’d exploded onto the scene with his debut album and the viral hit "Romantic Homicide" — a song whose title, now hauntingly ironic, became a cultural touchstone among Gen Z listeners. His deluxe edition, slated for release on September 19, 2025, was meant to be his breakout moment. Instead, promotion was abruptly paused. All European tour dates were canceled. His social media went dark. A source close to his team told ABC News the decision was made "out of respect for the investigation," though insiders admit the timing was too coincidental to ignore.

Connections to a Remote Trip

The investigation took a critical turn when detectives uncovered evidence of a mysterious late-night trip D4vd took to a remote area of Santa Barbara County in the spring of 2025. According to TMZ and corroborated by KTLA, he was alone in his Tesla for several hours, with no witnesses, no cell tower logs showing communication, and no recorded GPS waypoints. Investigators are now focusing on whether this trip was connected to the disposal of Celeste’s body. Forensic teams have examined the vehicle’s interior for trace evidence — soil, fibers, blood — and are analyzing the car’s onboard computer for any deleted location history. The vehicle’s clean record, they say, is itself suspicious.

Multiple Suspects, One Question

"The process of dismembering and disposing of her body is believed to have likely involved more than one person," said an LAPD source speaking to ABC News. That’s led investigators to interview at least five other individuals connected to D4vd’s inner circle — a roadie, a manager, a former roommate, and two women who reportedly had contact with Celeste before she vanished. One person, a 19-year-old woman who met Celeste at a Los Angeles music festival in March 2024, has been placed under surveillance. Authorities say they’re not ruling out the possibility that Celeste was lured under false pretenses — perhaps through social media or a mutual acquaintance.

Why This Case Matters

This isn’t just another celebrity scandal. It’s a brutal reminder of how vulnerable teens can be, especially those who drift away from supportive environments. Celeste’s family, who have not spoken publicly, are now working with victim advocates to ensure her story isn’t buried under headlines about fame and music. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the cause of death — a critical step before any charges can be filed. Sources say the autopsy is nearly complete, and a ruling is expected within days. If the cause is ruled a homicide, and if forensic evidence ties D4vd directly to the crime, prosecutors could pursue first-degree murder charges.

What Comes Next

The LAPD has not issued an arrest warrant as of November 20, 2025. But they’ve made it clear: this case is active, and they’re not slowing down. Investigators are reviewing hours of surveillance footage from gas stations near Santa Barbara, checking phone records from D4vd’s associates, and even analyzing his music lyrics for hidden references. Fans who once praised his emotional depth now wonder if his songs were confessions in disguise. One fan posted on X: "I thought ‘Romantic Homicide’ was just poetry. Now I’m not sure what’s real and what’s performance."

Meanwhile, Celeste’s name is being spoken again — not as a missing person, but as a victim. Her community in Lake Elsinore has begun organizing vigils. A GoFundMe set up by a local teacher has raised over $23,000 to support her family’s legal and memorial expenses.