Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez? Inside the D4vd case

Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old from Lake Elsinore, California, died in the spring of 2025. Her remains were later discovered in a Tesla registered to singer D4vd. The case has drawn national attention because of the timeline, the charges, and the public profile of the accused artist.

Early life in Lake Elsinore

Celeste was born on September 7, 2010, the first-generation daughter of Salvadoran immigrant parents. She lived with two older siblings and attended Lakeland Village School. Neighbors described her as outgoing and close to her family.

Her family reported her missing three times in early 2024, on February 15, March 19, and April 5. Each time she returned home. The last confirmed family contact came in the spring of that year, though neighbors reported seeing her later.

She turned 15 on September 7, 2025. One day later, her remains were found in the front trunk of a Tesla owned by D4vd. The discovery occurred a year and a half after the first missing-person reports.

First meeting and alleged relationship

Prosecutors say Celeste met D4vd in 2022 when she was 11 and he was 17. They allege a sexual relationship began in November 2023, when she was 13 and he was 18. That relationship is described as continuing for at least a year.

Text messages between them number in the thousands, according to court filings. Prosecutors also cite child sexual abuse material found on D4vd’s devices. The defense has not addressed these allegations in detail.

The age difference and timeline form the basis for the charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. That charge stands alongside the murder count.

Last day and phone records

Celeste was last seen alive on April 23, 2025. She traveled by rideshare to D4vd’s Hollywood Hills home at his invitation. Her phone stopped transmitting data between 10:10 and 10:31 p.m. that night.

Two days later, on April 25, D4vd released his debut album Withered. The record debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and was followed by a world tour. The timing has been noted in coverage of the case.

Phone records and location data place Celeste at the residence on the night of April 23. No further activity from her devices has been documented after that evening.

Discovery of remains

On September 8, 2025, a Tesla registered to D4vd was found in a Los Angeles parking structure. Celeste’s dismembered and decomposed remains were inside the front trunk. The car had been parked there for several months.

The body showed signs of severe decomposition. Two fingers were missing from the left hand. A tattoo reading “Shhh….” appeared on the right index finger, similar to one associated with D4vd. She was wearing braces and a retainer.

The discovery prompted immediate investigation by Los Angeles police. The vehicle’s registration led directly to D4vd, who was then on tour.

Autopsy findings

The autopsy, released in April 2026, listed the cause of death as homicide by multiple penetrating injuries. Two torso wounds were documented, one puncturing the liver. Dismemberment of the extremities occurred later.

Prosecutors allege the mutilation took place around May 5, 2025. They cite purchases of chainsaws and an inflatable pool found in connection with the case. The defense has not presented an alternative explanation for these items.

Family lawyer Patrick Steinfeld described the findings as devastating. The family has called the death horrible and gruesome. They have requested the death penalty if D4vd is convicted.

Arrest and charges

D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was arrested on April 16, 2026. He was charged four days later with first-degree murder under special circumstances, continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

The special circumstances include allegations of financial gain, murder of a witness, and lying in wait. Prosecutors say he killed Celeste when she threatened to expose the relationship and damage his career. He has pleaded not guilty.

He remains in custody without bail. A preliminary hearing in July 2026 found sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Proceedings are ongoing into late 2026.

Defense position

The defense maintains that D4vd did not murder Celeste and was not the cause of her death. A statement released in April 2026 said the evidence would show he was not responsible. No further public statements have been issued since.

Defense attorneys have not challenged the timeline of the relationship in court filings released so far. Their focus remains on the murder and mutilation charges.

The case continues to draw coverage because of the charges and the public profile of the accused. Trial dates have not been set.

Civil lawsuit

In September 2026, Celeste’s parents filed a wrongful-death suit against D4vd, his mother Colleen Burke, and others. The complaint seeks damages and references similar allegations. It remains pending.

The suit extends the case beyond criminal proceedings. It also names D4vd’s mother in her alleged role as his personal finance manager. No trial date has been announced for the civil matter.

The filing has renewed public attention to the case. It has also prompted further discussion of accountability for individuals connected to high-profile defendants.

Industry and public response

D4vd’s music career began with viral tracks on TikTok and Fortnite montages. He signed with Darkroom/Interscope in 2022 and released Withered two days after prosecutors allege Celeste was killed. The album’s success occurred while she remained missing.

Streaming platforms have not removed his catalog. Radio play has continued in some markets. Industry observers note that similar cases have produced uneven responses from labels and platforms.

Public reaction has split between those following the legal developments and those focused on the victim’s background. Coverage has remained largely factual, with limited commentary from music outlets.

Next steps in the case

The criminal trial is expected to examine thousands of text messages, device data, and physical evidence recovered from the Tesla and D4vd’s home. The defense will have the opportunity to present its case in full.

Additional hearings are scheduled into 2027. The civil suit may proceed on a separate track. Both matters will continue to generate coverage as new filings appear.

The case remains a focal point for discussions about missing persons, online relationships, and accountability in the entertainment industry. Updates will continue as the legal process moves forward.