On Monday, the Los Angeles police confirmed that the Tesla owned by platinum-selling artist D4vd, which had the decomposed body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandezinside its trunk, had been parked in its location for “several weeks” before its towing earlier this month. This corroborates a report from Rolling Stone on September 18.
Sources from the affluent Birds Streets neighborhood in Hollywood Hills indicated that the black 2023 Tesla Model Y remained in the same parking spot on Bluebird Ave. for a minimum of three weeks before it was tagged and towed on September 5. They noted that prior to this, the car had moved intermittently and had been seen parked elsewhere as early as May.
According to a new statement from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), “The vehicle had been parked at the location from which it was towed for several weeks, suggesting Ms. Rivas Hernandez may have been deceased for an extended period before her body was discovered.” The Robbery-Homicide Division is actively investigating the case, while awaiting an official determination on the cause of Rivas’ death. Although speculation about homicide is rife, the medical examiner has not ruled out possibilities such as an accidental death or suicide.
“The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet confirmed the cause or manner of Ms. Rivas Hernandez’s death. Therefore, it remains uncertain if there is any criminal responsibility beyond the concealment of her body,” the statement from LAPD emphasized. “RHD is meticulously exploring all aspects of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family.”
D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, was on a national concert tour out of state when it was reported on September 8 that human remains had been found in his Tesla. Rivas’ body was discovered after staff at the towing facility noted that the car was releasing a foul odor and attracting flies, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by Rolling Stone.
Just a day before her discovery, Rivas would have turned 15 years old. She had been reported missing multiple times in 2024, as indicated by online missing person postings. Her family has not publicly commented, but Rivas’ mother reportedly informed TMZ that her daughter had a “boyfriend” named David. Despite circulating social media images showing Rivas and Burke together, police have not designated Burke, or anyone, as a person of interest in this matter. Burke’s attorney has yet to respond to multiple requests for comment.
In an interesting detail, Rivas was found to have a tattoo on her right index finger that read, “Shhh…,” which matches a similar tattoo Burke appears to have on the same finger, as shown in a photo published by People in April. Police also searched a rental home in the Hollywood Hills, located one and a half blocks from where the Tesla was towed, owned by a landlord who confirmed it was rented to Burke’s manager. This four-bedroom house served as the backdrop for various online content posted by Burke, suggesting he was staying there before heading out on tour.
