Investigators Probe Whether Celeste Rivas’ Remains Were Refrigerated Before Being Found in Singer D4vd’s Tesla
Authorities examining the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez are now looking into the possibility that her body had been frozen or refrigerated prior to being discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the musician D4vd, according to a source familiar with the investigation. The condition of the remains, described early on as “severely decomposed,” raised immediate concerns for the medical examiner, who has since requested outside forensic specialists to assess whether temperature preservation played a role in the state of the body.
Investigators have not publicly detailed how refrigeration might influence the final autopsy findings, but experts note that cold storage can significantly complicate attempts to establish an accurate timeline of death. According to the source, officials are weighing whether the girl’s remains may have been frozen long enough to delay decomposition, leading to the advanced condition observed when the vehicle was opened.
The new line of inquiry surfaced after TMZ reported that Rivas’ remains appeared “partially frozen” and were thawing inside the Tesla. The outlet also claimed that the teen’s body had been dismembered, observations that, if confirmed, are expected to make the eventual cause of death difficult to determine. Early expectations from investigators point toward a possible “undetermined” ruling pending full forensic analysis.
Rivas’ body was recovered on Sept. 8 after personnel at a Hollywood tow yard alerted police to a foul odor and a swarm of flies coming from a black Tesla that had been impounded days earlier. A search warrant affidavit stated that the scent was noticeable enough for workers to request an inspection of the trunk. Inside, officers found the body wrapped in a black plastic bag.
The vehicle had been towed from the Bird Streets, an upscale enclave in the Hollywood Hills. Several neighbors later told reporters they had seen the Tesla parked in various spots around the area since late spring. According to multiple accounts, the car appeared to have been stationary in its final position for at least three weeks before it was removed by authorities.
Rivas, who would have turned 15 the day before her remains were found, had been reported missing multiple times throughout 2024. Her mother told TMZ that the teen had a “boyfriend” named David, and images circulating on social media appear to show Rivas in proximity to D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke. The extent and nature of the pair’s relationship have not been confirmed by investigators.
In the days following the discovery, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence on nearby Doheny Place. The homeowner later stated that the property had been leased beginning in February 2024 to Burke’s manager, Josh Marshall. Authorities have not indicated whether any evidence connected to the case was recovered from the location.
Burke, 20, was out of state on tour when news of the incident became public and has not addressed Rivas’ death publicly. He performed at a Minneapolis concert the night after the remains were identified, but ultimately canceled the rest of his tour. In the days that followed, fashion brands Hollister and Crocs removed promotional materials linked to a collaboration that featured the singer.
As of now, Burke is considered a suspect, according to reports from NBC News citing an LAPD source. He has not been arrested or charged, and investigators emphasize that the case remains active. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released a final autopsy or determination of death, pending further forensic review.
The LAPD has offered no additional comment beyond confirming that the investigation is ongoing.
