New update in the D4vd and Celeste Case. Her body was released to her family today and an official date of death has been released listed at September 8th a day after her birthday. However, according to reports, her body was likely in the vehicle for much longer.

Shocking Update in D4VD Murder Case: Celeste Rivas’ Remains Released to Family, Death Ruled September 8—One Day After Her 15th Birthday

LOS ANGELES, CA – In a heartbreaking development in the ongoing investigation into the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, her decomposing remains have been released to her family, allowing them to proceed with funeral arrangements. The Los Angeles County Coroner has officially listed her date of death as September 8, 2025—just one day after what would have been her 15th birthday—though authorities believe the body had been in the rented Tesla for much longer, based on the advanced state of decomposition. The case, linked to rising rapper D4VD (real name David, 22), continues to unfold with new details about Celeste’s troubled home life and her connection to the artist via social media, as police probe potential accomplices and question why D4VD remains at large.

The grim discovery of Celeste’s body in the trunk of D4VD’s impounded Tesla in a Hollywood tow yard earlier this month has shocked the public, with initial reports describing it as dismembered. Updated accounts from TMZ clarify it was “chopped up,” leaving ambiguity over whether this resulted from foul play or natural decomposition processes. An autopsy report, expected soon, may provide clarity on the cause of death and the extent of any mutilation. For now, the case remains open, with law enforcement sources emphasizing the teen’s history as a runaway amid family turmoil.

A Timeline of Tragedy: From Runaway to Final Days

Celeste was first reported missing from her Lake Elsinore home in February 2024, but sources indicate she had run away multiple times due to a “troubled home life.” According to TMZ, she vanished initially, was located by police in Hollywood after about a month, and briefly returned to school. During this period, she confided in friends about her experiences, but disappeared again in May 2024—this time for over a year—before her body surfaced.

A pivotal new account comes from Celeste’s former teacher, who taught her during her school attendance and spoke publicly about the case. In an emotional interview, the educator confirmed Celeste met D4VD on social media while in his class. “When I taught her, she met this dude on social media. He was a rapper in LA. He came and got her. She ran away from home. She was gone for like a month,” the teacher recounted. “The cops found her in Hollywood, brought her back to our school. She came back… told people this story. She disappeared again in May of that year… And then I found out yesterday that she’s now dead in that rapper’s car, cut into pieces.”

The teacher displayed classroom photos, including one showing Celeste in front of a poster, and linked it to a now-viral image of D4VD allegedly exchanging an item—speculated to be a payoff—with a 14-year-old student in the school parking lot near Lake Elsinore. “That’s her in my classroom… He’s also in my classroom,” the teacher said, warning of social media’s dangers. “Social media can be a dangerous trap and lead you down a dangerous road that can eventually possibly have your life taken away by a predator.” He emphasized the need for parental vigilance, noting Celeste’s lack of oversight may have contributed to her vulnerability.

Reports suggest the pair’s relationship spanned 2-3 years, starting when Celeste was around 12-13, raising allegations of grooming. Friends and family reportedly knew of the connection, with unconfirmed rumors of payoffs to silence them. The timing of her death—post-birthday—adds a layer of eeriness, as investigators believe she was alive and in contact with loved ones until late July or early August 2025, just before D4VD’s world tour began on August 5.

How TMZ and Family Clues Cracked the Identification

Before official identification, TMZ received a tip linking the body to Celeste and contacted her mother, who provided crucial details: a distinctive red tattoo on her right index finger and confirmation that her daughter was “dating a guy named David.” This information was relayed to the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division, leading to the positive ID days later. “TMZ always seems to be at the start of these cases,” observers noted, highlighting the outlet’s role in accelerating the probe.

The coroner’s office confirmed the body’s readiness for release today, closing one chapter for the grieving family. A GoFundMe for funeral costs has already exceeded its $20,000 goal, with donors honoring Celeste as a “beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend.”

Community Mourns Amid Questions Over D4VD’s Freedom

Footage from a recent memorial in Lake Elsinore shows a somber community gathering with candles, photos, and shared stories, drawing family, friends, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. “It’s one of the saddest things I’ve probably covered,” a reporter reflected, capturing the raw emotion as attendees processed the loss of a girl who “sought comfort elsewhere” from her unstable home.

Yet, frustration mounts over D4VD’s status. Despite a raid on his $20,000-a-month Hollywood Hills mansion (now a crime scene), the rapper terminated the lease abruptly and vanished—possibly on tour. Sources speculate his August tour launch served as an alibi, but with mounting evidence like leaked lyrics describing violence in a car (“blood to spill all over the new car seats”), photos, messages, and Discord chats, many question the delay in his arrest. “How is this guy still free?” one analyst asked, citing precedents where the FBI acts swiftly on lesser charges.

D4VD, represented by attorney Blair Burke of the high-profile Burke Williams & Sorensen firm, has not commented. His team, including manager Josh Marshall (who co-signed the lease), faces scrutiny for potentially enabling the situation. Police are investigating accomplices, with surveillance from the secure neighborhood expected to yield key footage.

As the family prepares for burial, the case underscores the perils of online predation and the need for better safeguards for at-risk youth. “Be vigilant as to what your kids are doing online,” the teacher urged. Justice for Celeste remains elusive, but the community’s resolve—and the investigation’s momentum—presses on.