On Sept. 8, police responded to a report of a foul odor in a Hollywood tow yard of an impounded Tesla, previously abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. Once on scene, police began a search of the vehicle to locate the smell, eventually finding human remains in the trunk of the car. Despite the remains being decomposed, authorities were later able to identify the body as that of missing 15-year-old Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, as well as identifying the Tesla car owner as 20-year-old singer David Anthony Burke — better known professionally as D4vd.
As soon as the news of D4vd owning the Tesla hit the media, the public began their own investigation, and began producing evidence that made the situation look worse for him. Alleged screenshots of D4vd’s Discord server were leaked, showing a personal relationship between him and a user presumed to be Rivas-Hernandez. They also revealed a concerning side to the singer, with mentions of gore and other disturbing topics that seem to amuse him.
In addition to the screenshots that have come to light, streams featuring a girl who looks like Rivas-Hernandez have surfaced. In at least one stream, the girl assumed to be Rivas-Hernandez makes a few concerning comments regarding the safety of children around D4vd. There have also been a few photos of D4vd with a girl who looks exactly like Rivas-Hernandez that have since come out.
In a public statement in the same Discord server, which allegedly belonged to D4vd, authors who are believed to have been admins of the server state that they had no idea how old Rivas-Hernandez was, or that she was a missing person. They also state that they do not associate with any actions that D4vd has allegedly done. This entire public statement implies what the media has accused: The girl who has appeared with D4vd is allegedly Rivas-Hernandez.
It is important to note that there has also been another Celeste, who has made some appearances with D4vd, 23-year-old Celeste Herrera. Some online have tried to defend D4vd by stating that the female seen with him in all these photos and videos is Herrera. Although there are similarities between the two, Herrera has a more mature face and a different eye shape than Rivas-Hernandez.
Beyond the media’s investigative work, the Los Angeles Police Department has not made any comments confirming or denying any of the alleged evidence presented.
The LAPD has stated that they are pursuing multiple leads and have taken steps forward in solving the case. On Sept. 17th, a search was conducted on the house D4vd has been reportedly staying at. During the search, they reportedly collected several bags of evidence. While the contents have not been explicitly stated, a computer belonging to D4vd has allegedly been collected with the search.
Up to this point, there is no evidence that D4vd has been questioned in relation to Rivas-Hernandez, nor has he been named as a suspect. However, the LAPD has stated that he has been cooperating with them and the investigation.
As of Sept. 25th, the investigation is still ongoing, with minimal official reports from the police on the progress of the case unfolding. However, the police are definitely working hard to find out what happened to Rivas-Hernandez, who was just 13 when she disappeared and around 15 at the time of her death. The media has also worked tirelessly to compile alleged evidence and theories as to what may have happened, even if they believe D4vd is involved or not. Hopefully, the truth will come out soon, so this girl can be laid to rest and her perpetrator faces the consequences of their actions.
