Court Seals Records in Case of Teen Found in Singer D4vd’s Tesla

Official records concerning the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 15-year-old girl, have been sealed by a court. Her body was discovered in the Tesla belonging to singer D4vd. This mandate comes from the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office, which stated that a court order restricts releasing any details related to the case.

Case Overview

The Los Angeles Police Department requested this order to manage information flow between the Medical Examiner’s office and the public. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo noted that such security holds are rare in other counties, and their effectiveness in legal matters is questionable.

Discovery of Rivas Hernandez

On September 8, police found Rivas Hernandez’s remains in the boot of the impounded Tesla. This followed reports of an unpleasant odor at a Hollywood tow yard. The car had been towed from the Hollywood Hills area five days after it was abandoned. Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing in April 2024, as noted in a missing person flyer.

D4vd’s Involvement

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, released his debut album in April and was touring when the discovery was made. Although he has not publicly commented on the matter, his representatives stated he is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The police’s robbery-homicide division is handling the case, and so far, no arrests have been made.

Condition and Identification

When authorities located her body, it was described as “severely decomposed,” leading the medical examiner to defer the cause of death determination pending further investigation. Rivas Hernandez was identified by her clothing and jewelry, which included a tube top, size small black leggings, and a distinctive tattoo on her index finger.

Community Impact and Family Response

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was well known in her community, often seen visiting local stores. Her family expressed profound heartbreak over their loss and turned to crowdfunding for her funeral, which occurred in October.

The case has significantly impacted D4vd’s career. His world tour was canceled shortly after the discovery, and there were reported suspensions of promotional efforts for his upcoming album by Sony Music Publishing. Moreover, numerous brands, including Hollister and Crocs, distanced themselves from the singer, as did artist Kali Uchis, who removed their collaboration from her schedule.

Current Status

• No details about Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death are available due to the court order.
• The police investigation continues, with no arrests made thus far.
• D4vd maintains cooperation with law enforcement, but his career faces substantial challenges.

The events surrounding Rivas Hernandez’s tragic death underline the need for ongoing community support and transparency in investigations. El-Balad will continue to monitor developments in this case as they unfold.