R&B Singer D4vd Named Suspect in Homicide of 15-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Body Found in Tesla

The dismembered body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found inside a Tesla parked at a tow yard in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, sparking a homicide investigation that has now turned its focus squarely on 20-year-old R&B singer D4vd—the vehicle’s owner and a rising star whose music has drawn millions of streams online. Law enforcement sources confirmed to KTLA on November 19, 2025, that D4vd is now a suspect in the case, more than two months after the grim discovery in late September 2025. The timing is chilling: while D4vd was on tour, the remains of a teenager from Los Angeles County were sitting in his car, hidden in plain sight at a facility just one block from his former rental home.

The Discovery That Shook Hollywood Hills

The Tesla was towed after being abandoned near the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Workers at the tow yard noticed an unusual odor and, upon inspection, found human remains inside the trunk. Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division quickly determined the body had been dismembered, suggesting a deliberate, calculated effort to conceal identity. Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing in early September 2025, but her disappearance didn’t immediately trigger a major investigation—until the Tesla was impounded. What made this case escalate wasn’t just the brutality—it was the connection to a public figure. D4vd, whose real name is David, had been touring nationally since mid-August 2025. His social media had been active, posting concert selfies and studio updates. Yet, the car that carried Celeste’s remains hadn’t moved since late August. The delay between the murder and the discovery raised urgent questions: Why was the vehicle left? Who knew about it? And why now, after two months, did investigators move against him?

A Suspicious Trip and Hidden Clues

Investigators are zeroing in on a mysterious journey D4vd took between March 20 and June 20, 2025. According to TMZ and KTLA sources, he drove alone to a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County in the middle of the night, staying for several hours without explanation. Cell tower data places his phone in the hills near Gaviota State Park, far from any known friend or venue. No receipts, no hotel records, no witnesses. It’s the kind of trip that, in isolation, might be dismissed as a late-night drive. But now, it’s being re-examined as a possible crime scene or disposal site. Forensic teams have begun processing the Tesla for trace evidence—blood, hair, fibers—and are also scouring the Santa Barbara location for signs of disturbance. The vehicle’s GPS logs, which were reportedly wiped, are being reconstructed from cloud backups tied to his phone. Meanwhile, neighbors who lived near D4vd’s rental in Hollywood Hills say they noticed him coming and going erratically in late August, often late at night, carrying large, oddly shaped bags. "It was quiet," one neighbor told KTLA anonymously. "But he’d come back with dirt on his boots. And he never let anyone near his car. Not even his driver."

Was There Help? The Question of Accomplices

The most unsettling detail in the case isn’t just D4vd’s connection to the vehicle—it’s the possibility he didn’t act alone. KTLA’s field report at 0:00:44 explicitly stated: "The singer may have had help disposing of her body." That phrase, repeated in internal police memos, suggests investigators believe the logistics of dismembering and transporting a body would require more than one person. Authorities are now reviewing surveillance footage from gas stations, toll booths, and parking lots between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara County during the critical window. They’re also interviewing people who worked with D4vd on tour—including drivers, stylists, and sound technicians. One former assistant, who asked not to be named, said D4vd had been "paranoid" in the weeks before his tour began, insisting on changing hotel rooms and avoiding group dinners. "He’d say things like, ‘If anyone asks, I wasn’t there.’ It didn’t make sense at the time," the assistant recalled. "Now… I’m not sleeping."

The Victim: Who Was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?

Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a sophomore at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles County. She was described by teachers as quiet but bright, with a passion for poetry and photography. Her family, who live in the San Fernando Valley, had been searching for her since September 12, 2025, after she didn’t return home from a friend’s house. No signs of struggle. No texts. No social media activity after 8:17 p.m. on September 11. Her disappearance went largely unnoticed until the Tesla was found. Now, her name is everywhere. Vigils have been held outside her school. Her classmates have started a petition demanding justice. And for the first time, her face is on billboards—not for a concert, but for a missing persons alert that turned into a homicide case.

What Happens Next?

As of November 19, 2025, D4vd has not been arrested. No charges have been filed. He is not in custody. But investigators are moving fast. The Los Angeles Police Department has requested warrants for his phone, laptop, and financial records. They’re also seeking to interview his parents, who live in a quiet suburb of San Diego. Forensic results from the Tesla and Santa Barbara site are expected within three weeks. If DNA or digital evidence links D4vd to the crime, prosecutors could move swiftly to file charges. If not, the case may stall—or worse, collapse under public pressure. For now, his music remains on streaming platforms. His next tour date is scheduled for December 5 in Chicago. Whether he’ll show up is unknown.

The Bigger Picture: Fame, Privacy, and Power

This case isn’t just about a murdered teenager. It’s about how fame can shield the guilty—and how quickly public perception can shift. D4vd has over 12 million followers on Instagram. His songs have been used in TikTok dances and Netflix trailers. He’s the kind of artist who seems untouchable. But now, the world is watching. And for the first time, the spotlight isn’t on his voice—it’s on his silence.