The Dark Secrets Behind Teen Found Dead in Celebrity’s Trunk: The Chilling Case of d4vd and Celeste Rivas Hernandez

Hollywood, a place synonymous with glamour and scandal, has been shaken to its core by a crime that feels more like a plot from a psychological thriller than reality. The tragic death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to rising music star d4vd, has ignited a media storm and left the public grasping for answers. As investigators peel back the layers of this disturbing case, a haunting web of coincidences, connections, and unanswered questions emerges, painting a picture far darker than anyone could have imagined.

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A Discovery Straight Out of a Nightmare

On Saturday, September 6th, 2025, a call came in to a Hollywood tow company about an abandoned vehicle near the Bird Streets—a neighborhood famous for its luxury and exclusivity. The car, a sleek black Tesla sedan, was towed to Hollywood Tow, a rooftop storage yard tucked away off Mansfield Avenue and Roma Street. For two days, the Tesla sat untouched, until workers began to notice a foul, unmistakable stench drifting through the air.

The smell, described by employees as “death itself,” prompted a call to the LAPD. When officers arrived just after noon on Monday, what they found inside the Tesla’s front trunk was the stuff of nightmares: a heavily decomposed body, stuffed inside a bag, reduced to a head and torso. The victim was described as a petite figure, about 5’2″ and 71 pounds, with dark wavy hair, clothed in a tube top and black leggings, a single yellow metal stud earring, and a chain bracelet still intact.

But it was a small tattoo on one finger—a distinctive mark—that hinted at a story only beginning to unfold.

From Missing Teen to Grim Reality

Dental records soon confirmed the worst: the remains belonged to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a teenager reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, since May 2024. Her family, devastated and heartbroken, had been searching for her for months. The discovery came just one day before what would have been Celeste’s 15th birthday.

Celeste’s mother, Mercedes Martinez, and her father, Jesus Rivas Hernandez, had watched their daughter transform from a bubbly, studious middle-schooler into a troubled teen. In 2024, Celeste began skipping classes, her attention shifting from schoolwork to a boyfriend named David—a relationship her mother described as “troubling.” Celeste began running away from home, sometimes disappearing for days before returning. But in May 2024, she left and never came back.

A Trail of Coincidences

The first step for investigators was to trace the Tesla’s owner. The vehicle carried Texas plates and was registered to David Anthony Burke—known professionally as d4vd, a 20-year-old rising star in the music world. The connection was chilling: the same name Celeste’s mother had given police when reporting her daughter’s boyfriend.

David Burke, aka d4vd, had skyrocketed to fame in just a few years, transforming from a kid making Fortnite videos into a chart-topping artist. Born in Queens in 2005 and raised in Houston, Texas, he found his voice recording songs to avoid copyright issues, eventually signing with Dark Room and Interscope after his singles “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me” exploded on TikTok.

But now, the promising artist was at the center of a homicide investigation.

Neighbors told police they’d seen the Tesla parked in David’s driveway before, but in the weeks leading up to its discovery, the car moved around the neighborhood, eventually abandoned near Doheny Place and Bluebird Avenue. A neighbor out walking her dog noticed the foul odor, but assumed it was a dead animal in the brush. The car’s Texas plates and battered appearance only added to the mystery.

Unanswered Questions and Public Speculation

Despite being on tour promoting his new album “Withered,” David Burke cooperated with investigators, even canceling shows to make himself available for questioning. But the question remained: How could he not have known what was happening with his car—a Tesla equipped with advanced technology that alerts owners to movement, location, and towing?

Was the car stolen? Did someone close to David have access? Or was David himself hiding something darker than anyone suspected?

Public speculation exploded. Online sleuths pointed to a series of disturbing coincidences:

Matching Tattoos: Celeste’s finger tattoo matched one on David’s own hand.
Unreleased Song: Months before Celeste disappeared, an unreleased track by d4vd titled “Celeste demo unfinished” leaked online. The lyrics described a girl named Celeste, her scent, her voice, and an obsessive, toxic love.
Hello Kitty Connection: Celeste was reportedly wearing Hello Kitty slippers when she went missing; David had posted photos wearing Hello Kitty merchandise.
Sightings and Messages: Screenshots allegedly showed Discord exchanges between Celeste and David, and photos surfaced appearing to show them together.

Legal analysts noted that repeated coincidences can start to take on the weight of circumstantial evidence, especially when corroborated by witnesses.

Family and Community in Mourning

Celeste’s family confirmed the relationship with David was not a secret. Her younger brother Matthew stated that David would frequently pick Celeste up in the same Tesla where her remains were found. Another source close to her mother recalled receiving a chilling phone call instructing them to stop searching for Celeste and to take down social media posts about her disappearance.

A former teacher at Lakeland Village Middle School remembered Celeste running away to Hollywood after connecting with David on social media. Police had once returned her home, but she ran away again in May 2024, never to return.

A Timeline of Tragedy

Evidence suggests references to David dating a girl named Celeste date back to at least 2022—when Celeste was just 11 or 12 years old. Online sleuths noted that d4vd’s breakout hit “Romantic Homicide” was released on Celeste’s birthday, September 7th. The music video’s co-star bore a striking resemblance to her, and the lyrics described killing a lover with chilling detachment.

Another music video, “One More Dance,” featured a young Hispanic woman with curly hair and scenes of a blindfolded, bloody character called Itami dragging David into a car—imagery eerily reminiscent of the crime scene.

The Investigation Intensifies

Since the story broke, brands like Crocs and Hollister swiftly removed David from their marketing campaigns. Police raided his Hollywood Hills home, searching for blood evidence and removing computers and other items. Yet, as of now, the case is only being called a “death investigation,” not a homicide, as the medical examiner works to determine the exact cause of Celeste’s death.

A Family’s Plea for Justice

Celeste’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs, releasing a statement:
“As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. They are seeking help to lay her body to rest. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.”

Lingering Questions and a Call for Answers

As the investigation continues, the public is left with countless questions:

How did Celeste end up in the trunk of David’s Tesla?
Was their relationship known to authorities?
Could more have been done to protect her from a much older man?

Celeste was only 13 when she began dating David, a 20-year-old adult. Was she trying to leave? Did the dark imagery of David’s songs spill into real life? Was there a failure by authorities to intervene due to influence, money, or power?

Conclusion: Seeking Justice in the Shadows of Fame

The tragic death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez has exposed the dangerous intersection of celebrity, obsession, and vulnerability. As investigators pursue the truth, her family and community remain determined to seek justice. In a world where the lines between art and reality, fame and anonymity, can blur in devastating ways, Celeste’s story stands as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind even the brightest lights.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates as the search for answers—and justice—continues.