R&B Singer D4vd Named Suspect in Teen’s Homicide After Body Found in His Tesla

The decomposing body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to 20-year-old R&B singer D4vd — whose legal name is David — on September 8, 2025, sparking a homicide investigation that has shaken the music world and left a California community in grief. Authorities from the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to KTLA 5 on November 19, 2025, that D4vd is now a suspect in the case, with investigators treating Hernandez’s death as a homicide. The teen, a resident of Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, had been reported missing in 2024 — nearly a year before her body was discovered in the car, which had been impounded after police traced it to the singer.

The Discovery That Shook the City

Hernandez was last seen alive at one of D4vd’s performances in early 2025, wearing the same outfit she was found in — a detail that has haunted investigators and fans alike. Her body, severely decomposed, was pulled from the trunk of the Tesla during a routine vehicle search after a tip led police to the registered owner. The car, a 2023 Model S, was parked at a storage facility in Los Angeles, where D4vd had reportedly stored it for months. No signs of forced entry or struggle were found inside the vehicle, but the condition of the remains suggested the body had been there for weeks — possibly months.

"She was literally last seen with him at his show (while being missing)," noted an Instagram post from @billboardgettyimagesbillboardhiphop, which went viral after being shared by over 80,000 users. "Wearing the same outfit she was later found in. It’s bizarre. That guy in the meantime could have been using unknown connections to be wiping out evidence in real time."

A Suspicious Trip and a Silence That Speaks Volumes

According to TMZ and LAPD sources, D4vd made an unexplained, late-night trip to a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County during the spring of 2025 — the same window when investigators believe Hernandez died. He stayed for over five hours, according to cell tower pings and gas station surveillance footage, with no record of who he met or what he did. The location, near the Santa Ynez Mountains, is known for its isolated trails and abandoned properties — terrain that could easily conceal evidence.

"He didn’t call anyone. Didn’t post anything. Didn’t even check into a hotel," said one investigator speaking anonymously to ABC News. "That’s not the behavior of someone just taking a scenic drive."

Meanwhile, D4vd has reportedly refused to speak with detectives. His legal team has not issued a public statement, and his social media accounts have been inactive since mid-October 2025. Friends say he stopped attending industry events and canceled a planned tour in late September — timing that aligns with the discovery of the body.

The Medical Examiner’s Unanswered Questions

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has held Hernandez’s remains since September 8, 2025, yet still has not determined the cause or manner of death. Toxicology results are pending, and while external injuries were noted, the decomposition has made it difficult to distinguish between trauma sustained before or after death. Some forensic experts suggest the body may have been moved multiple times, possibly after being dismembered — a theory supported by fragments of clothing found in two separate locations near D4vd’s home.

"We’re not ruling out any possibility," said Deputy Coroner Dr. Lena Ruiz in a closed-door briefing reported by NBC Los Angeles. "We’re working with LAPD to reconstruct timelines, trace movements, and identify potential accomplices."

Who Else Might Be Involved?

LAPD detectives are now exploring whether D4vd had help — possibly from someone with access to vehicles, disposal sites, or knowledge of forensic cleanup. Investigators have subpoenaed records from his tour manager, two studio assistants, and a local mechanic who worked on the Tesla in August 2025. One of the assistants, a 22-year-old woman named Marisol Chen, reportedly deleted her phone data days before the body was found. She has since left the country.

"We’re not saying he acted alone," said a source close to the investigation. "But we’re focused on him because he’s the only person who had consistent, unsupervised contact with her after she went missing."

Why This Case Matters Beyond the Headlines

D4vd, born David, had been on a rapid rise in the R&B scene. His debut album, Chaos in the Quiet, released in January 2025, had already cracked the Billboard Top 20. His haunting vocals and minimalist production drew comparisons to Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. But now, his name is synonymous with a tragedy that has reignited conversations about accountability in celebrity culture and the vulnerability of young fans.

"Celeste wasn’t a groupie," said her high school teacher, Ms. Evelyn Tran, in a tearful interview. "She was a straight-A student who wrote poetry about finding light in dark places. She went to his concert because she loved his music — not because she was chasing fame."

Her parents, both immigrants from Mexico, have not spoken publicly. But a handwritten note found in her bedroom read: "I’m scared. He says he’ll make me famous. But I think he’s lying."

What’s Next in the Investigation?

As of November 20, 2025, no arrests have been made. LAPD has not issued a warrant for D4vd’s arrest, but sources say prosecutors are building a case for possible charges of homicide, evidence tampering, and unlawful disposal of human remains. A grand jury hearing is expected by January 2026. Meanwhile, the singer’s music has been pulled from major streaming platforms, and his record label, Interscope Records, has severed all ties.

The case remains open, and authorities are urging anyone with information — especially those who saw Hernandez in the weeks before her disappearance or noticed unusual activity around D4vd’s vehicles — to come forward.