Introduction to the Case
A missing teenage girl had been dead for several weeks before her decomposing body was discovered stuffed inside the trunk of singer D4vd’s Tesla, Los Angeles police said Monday. Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Scot Williams confirmed the timeline but did not provide a precise time of death. The Los Angeles County medical examiner is now trying to determine the cause of death of the girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Background of the Investigation
Detectives have been working for weeks to trace Hernandez’s final movements and determine any connections with D4vd, who police say has been cooperating with them. A 2023 Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, was ticketed by Los Angeles authorities on a Hollywood Hills street near where the singer lived 11 days before her body was discovered.
The Discovery of the Body
The Tesla had been parked on Bluebird Avenue so long that some residents complained about it in August, leading to the car being ticketed. “I’m not sure exactly when the parking complaints about the Tesla began, but it was closer to the beginning part of August,” said Williams, who as captain of the LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division is supervising the investigation. Records reviewed by The Times show on the afternoon of Aug. 27, a parking enforcement officer marked the Tesla, noting the position of its tires. Then, on Sept. 3, the officer issued a citation to the Tesla for violating the 72-hour parking ordinance. Two days later, the Tesla was impounded and towed to the Hollywood yard.
The Trunk’s Grisly Contents
In the early morning of Sept. 8, a tow yard worker passing the Tesla noticed a foul smell. He alerted Los Angeles police detectives to his concerns. A detective, agreeing with those suspicions, obtained a search warrant and then opened the trunk. Inside the trunk of the multiplatinum musician’s Tesla was a black bag containing Celeste’s heavily decomposed remains. She weighed 71 pounds and had a “Shhh” tattoo on her finger, according to the medical examiner.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Life
Her body was found a day after her 15th birthday. Celeste grew up in Lake Elsinore, about 76 miles away from Hollywood. She was in the seventh grade, and her family reported her missing at least three times in 2024, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Conclusion
The case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is a tragic reminder of the importance of swift action in missing person cases. The discovery of her body in D4vd’s Tesla has raised many questions about the circumstances surrounding her death and the connection between her and the singer. As the investigation continues, it is crucial to remember the life and story of Celeste, a young girl whose life was cut short in devastating circumstances.
FAQs
Q: Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
A: Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 15-year-old girl who was reported missing and later found dead in the trunk of singer D4vd’s Tesla.
Q: How long had Celeste been dead before her body was discovered?
A: According to the Los Angeles police, Celeste had been dead for several weeks before her body was found.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The Los Angeles County medical examiner is trying to determine the cause of death, and detectives are working to trace Celeste’s final movements and determine any connections with D4vd.
Q: What was the condition of Celeste’s body when it was found?
A: Celeste’s body was heavily decomposed, and she weighed 71 pounds when she was found. She also had a “Shhh” tattoo on her finger.
Q: How did the police discover Celeste’s body?
A: A tow yard worker noticed a foul smell coming from D4vd’s Tesla, which had been impounded and towed to the Hollywood yard. The police then obtained a search warrant and found Celeste’s body in the trunk.
