The shocking discovery of a 15-year-old girl’s frozen and dismembered body inside an abandoned car tied to pop artist D4vd has raised serious questions about what happened -- and who may be responsible.

The remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a missing teenager, were located in the trunk of a Tesla linked to singer D4vd, and while police suspect foul play, they may never be able to confirm how she died due to the state of the body, as the New York Post reports.

On Sept. 8, workers at a Los Angeles tow yard uncovered the disturbing contents of a Tesla’s trunk after detecting a strong odor. The vehicle had been towed days earlier from the Hollywood Hills, where it had remained parked and ticketed for nearly two weeks. When staff opened the trunk, they found the remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, wrapped in plastic and partially thawed.

The 15-year-old, who had been reported missing multiple times in early 2024, was found dismembered, decapitated, and frozen, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Due to the decomposition and freezing of the remains, officials warn that the cause of death may remain “undetermined.” This complicates efforts to classify whether the teenager died from an intentional act or another cause, such as a drug overdose.

Celeste’s disappearance had long concerned her family. She was previously known to run away and had been involved in a relationship with someone named “David,” her mother confirmed. Authorities are now connecting the girl to 20-year-old singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, whose Tesla contained her remains.

Pop singer D4vd under increasing scrutiny

D4vd, known for a rapid rise in the pop music scene, has not been arrested but is considered a suspect in the ongoing investigation. Law enforcement officials have reported that he has not cooperated with investigators since the discovery of the body. Adding to the growing body of circumstantial evidence, a previously unreleased track by the artist includes two references to the name “Celeste.”

Investigators have also learned that the singer had direct communication with a girl named Celeste via his Discord fan server. Those exchanges have become a focus of the LAPD’s digital analysis and are being reviewed for potential details about their interactions in the months leading up to her death.

The Hollywood Hills mansion where D4vd had been staying is currently being listed to return to the rental market, as of Nov. 21. This decision comes as the investigation expands, and law enforcement continues to analyze electronic data from phones and social media to build a clearer timeline of events.

Another individual tied to crime scene

In a recent update, LAPD detectives using phone location data have connected a second, unidentified person to the Hollywood Hills location where authorities believe Celeste died. According to comments made by attorney Mark Geragos on TMZ’s 2 Angry Men podcast, new data has placed this individual at the home during the window of her suspected death in spring of this year.

The implication of this second potential suspect complicates the case further. If confirmed to be involved, the presence of multiple individuals increases the likelihood of coordinated actions rather than a tragic standalone event. Investigators are now working to formally identify and question this person.

Despite the advances in digital forensics, the challenges posed by the condition of Celeste’s body make it difficult to piece together exactly what happened. Forensic specialists fear that any remaining physical evidence may have degraded during the months the body sat in the vehicle, first frozen and then slowly thawing.

Search for answers slowed by forensic challenges

Celeste may have died as early as spring 2025—months before her remains were found. Law enforcement has not yet determined whether her death was the result of criminal violence or an accidental overdose. This uncertainty leaves the grieving family without clarity or closure.

After being abandoned in a wealthy neighborhood, the Tesla was ticketed multiple times before being towed. It was only at the tow lot, days later, that the odor alerted employees to the car’s grisly cargo. That delay cost authorities valuable investigative time and further hindered their efforts.

The LAPD is continuing to comb through leads and review social media correspondence. However, without a confirmed cause of death, even a potential confession may not be enough to prosecute unless supported by corroborating evidence.

Lessons to Learn

There are several crucial lessons the public can take from this disturbing case, even while recognizing that anyone can be a victim of crime through no fault of their own:

1. Digital footprints can offer leads. Law enforcement is increasingly using phone and social media location data to piece together timelines. Maintaining privacy settings and being cautious about online interactions is important, especially for minors.

2. Missing persons must be taken seriously from the start. Celeste was known to run away, but repeated behavior should never diminish urgency. Early alerts, sharing accurate descriptions, and persistence from families can drive swifter responses from authorities and the public.

3. Foul odors and vehicle abandonment should be reported. The case was delayed in part because bystanders ignored the parked vehicle. If something seems amiss -- especially involving smell or suspicious locations -- safe and responsible reporting to law enforcement can make a critical difference.

Why This Story Matters

This case underscores the vulnerability of youths in runaway situations and the risks associated with online interactions. The connections between the entertainment world and a potential crime highlight how fame can complicate investigations.

Most importantly, the community must stay vigilant about the welfare of marginalized and at-risk teenagers like Celeste.