R&B Star D4vd Named Primary Suspect in Teen's Dismembered Body Found in Tesla

When the stench of decay rolled out of an impounded Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard on September 8, 2025, no one expected to find the dismembered remains of a 15-year-old girl tucked inside a bag in the front trunk. But that’s exactly what LAPD officers uncovered — and the vehicle’s owner, 20-year-old R&B sensation D4vd, has since become the central figure in what investigators now call a deliberate homicide. The body, identified as Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, showed signs of advanced decomposition, suggesting she died months earlier — possibly in the spring of 2025. The case, still open as of November 20, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the music world and left a community reeling.

How a Viral Star Became a Suspect

D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, isn’t just any rising artist. With over 33 million monthly Spotify listeners and 3.6 million TikTok followers, he’s a Gen Z phenomenon. His songs “Here with Me” and “Romantic Homicide” — the latter hauntingly apt given the circumstances — went viral by blending moody melodies with dark, poetic lyrics. He credited TikTok for his rise, often posting behind-the-scenes clips from his tours, including one in Hollywood just weeks before Celeste vanished.

According to Billboard’s Instagram post on November 20, 2025, Celeste was last seen wearing the same outfit she was found in — at one of D4vd’s concerts. That detail alone turned a missing persons case into a homicide investigation. LAPD sources told ABC News the connection wasn’t coincidental; it was damning. The timing lines up: Celeste was reported missing in late March 2025. Her body turned up in September — six months later — inside a car that had been abandoned on a Hollywood street and towed after neighbors complained about the smell.

The Tesla, the Trip, and the Silence

The Tesla wasn’t just any car — it was registered to D4vd. And investigators say he hasn’t cooperated. Not once. According to multiple sources cited by ABC7 and KTLA 5, his public relations team has offered no statements, and D4vd himself has refused to speak with detectives. That silence, in a case this grave, speaks louder than any alibi.

Then there’s the Santa Barbara trip. TMZ reported that in April 2025, D4vd took a mysterious late-night drive to a remote area of Santa Barbara County, staying for several hours with no public record of his whereabouts. Detectives are now treating that outing as a possible disposal window — a time when the body, or parts of it, may have been moved. KTLA 5’s Mary Beth McDade confirmed that law enforcement is actively exploring whether D4vd had help. The dismemberment suggests more than one person, or at least someone with knowledge of anatomy or vehicle access.

Even more troubling: just weeks after the body was found, D4vd made changes to the ownership of a Texas home. No official explanation has been given. To investigators, it looks like asset restructuring — a potential attempt to shield property from future legal claims. The move, while not illegal, raises red flags in a case where motive and opportunity are already stacking up.

Why the Investigation Is Stalled — and What’s Next

The medical examiner still hasn’t determined the exact cause of death. The body was too decomposed for clear trauma analysis, and toxicology results were inconclusive. That’s why, despite overwhelming circumstantial evidence, no arrest has been made. Homicide charges require more than suspicion — they require proof. And right now, LAPD is working backward from what they have: clothing, location, timeline, and silence.

“It’s a homicide,” one investigator told ABC News on condition of anonymity. “We just need the medical report to close the loop.” Once the cause is confirmed — whether it’s blunt force trauma, strangulation, or something else — prosecutors can move forward with charges. D4vd’s canceled tour, which ended abruptly in September 2025, was the first public sign something was wrong. His label, Interscope Records, has since severed ties. No interviews. No social media posts since October. He’s vanished from the public eye — just like Celeste did.

The Human Cost Behind the Headlines

Celeste Rivas-Hernandez wasn’t a celebrity. She was a sophomore at Hollywood High, loved painting, and posted TikToks of her dancing with her little sister. Her family, who have not spoken publicly, were told she was “out of town” for weeks before police confirmed her death. Now, they’re left waiting for justice — while the world watches a pop star’s fall from grace.

The case has reignited debates about the dark side of internet fame. How many teens are vulnerable to predators hiding behind curated personas? D4vd’s lyrics often flirt with themes of obsession and death. Fans called it art. Now, some wonder if it was a confession.

What Happens Next?

LAPD has not set a timeline for charges. But sources say the medical examiner’s final report is expected by mid-December. If it confirms homicide, an arrest warrant could follow within days. Meanwhile, detectives are reviewing security footage from D4vd’s tour stops, analyzing his phone records from spring 2025, and interviewing people who attended his shows during the window Celeste disappeared.

One chilling detail keeps resurfacing: Celeste’s phone was last pinged near D4vd’s tour bus after his Hollywood show on March 28, 2025. She never made it home.