Los Angeles police have confirmed new details in the ongoing investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered earlier this month in a Tesla registered to platinum-selling musician D4vd. Authorities said the vehicle, a black 2023 Model Y, had been parked for weeks in the Hollywood Hills before it was finally towed, raising the possibility that Hernandez had been deceased for an extended period before her remains were found.

In a statement released this week, the LAPD said the department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is continuing to investigate but is awaiting the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s ruling on the cause and manner of death. “The vehicle had been parked at the location from which it was towed for several weeks, so Ms. Rivas Hernandez may have been deceased for several weeks before the discovery of her body,” the statement said.

While speculation has swirled online about foul play, investigators emphasized that it remains unclear if her death was a homicide, an accident, or self-inflicted. “The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of Ms. Rivas Hernandez’s death. As such, it remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body,” police said.

The car had reportedly been parked for at least three weeks on Bluebird Avenue, in the upscale Bird Streets neighborhood, before city officials cited and towed it on September 5. According to court records reviewed by Rolling Stone, staff at the tow yard later reported that the car was “emitting a foul odor and attracting flies.” After a search warrant was obtained, Hernandez’s remains were discovered inside the trunk.

The teen, who would have turned 15 the day before her body was found, had been reported missing multiple times in 2024, according to family fliers circulated online. Her body was in such an advanced state of decomposition that examiners were initially unable to determine her eye color, race, or precise weight, listing her at just 71 pounds. The medical examiner’s office has so far deferred its ruling on cause of death, noting that she had likely been inside the vehicle “for an extended period.”

The Tesla is registered to 20-year-old singer David Burke, known professionally as D4vd. At the time of the discovery, Burke was on tour out of state and performed in Minneapolis the day after police located the remains. His attorney has not issued a public statement, and he himself has yet to comment on the case. A source close to the musician previously told Rolling Stone that he has been cooperating with authorities.

The case took a further turn when Hernandez’s mother reportedly told TMZ that her daughter had a “boyfriend” named David. Social media posts have since circulated claiming to show the teenager in proximity to Burke. In addition, Hernandez was identified by a tattoo on her right index finger that read “Shhh…”, a design similar to one Burke has, as highlighted in People earlier this year. Police have not named Burke, or anyone else, as a suspect.

Investigators also searched a rental property in the Hollywood Hills located a short walk from where the Tesla was last parked. The house’s owner confirmed to Rolling Stone that the lease was signed in February by Burke’s manager, Josh Marshall. The owner, Mladen Trifunovic, said he was unaware that Burke had been staying at the residence until he was informed of the police search. “This all came as a complete shock to me,” Trifunovic said. Marshall has not responded to requests for comment.

The discovery and ongoing investigation have already had repercussions for Burke’s career. Shortly after Hernandez was identified, Crocs and Hollister announced they were removing marketing material from a joint campaign that featured the singer. “With respect to the current situation, we have removed campaign content featuring D4vd while the investigation continues,” the brands said in a joint statement to Footwear News.

Burke, who first found an audience as a gamer before launching a music career, rose to prominence in 2022 when his self-released singles “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me” went viral on TikTok and climbed the Billboard charts. He has since become one of the most visible Gen Z voices in alternative pop, releasing his debut EP Petals to Thorns in 2023 and following it with his first full-length album, Withered, in April of this year.

As the case develops, the LAPD says its investigators are “thoroughly examining every aspect” in order to provide clarity to Hernandez’s family. “RHD is diligently investigating this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family,” the department’s latest statement read.

For now, the investigation hinges on the coroner’s pending ruling, which will determine whether Hernandez’s death is treated as a criminal matter. Until then, no suspects have been named and no charges have been filed.