The tragic death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez from Lake Elsinore, California, has sent shockwaves through both the local community and the music industry. The teen, who had been reported missing multiple times throughout 2024, was found dismembered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to rising musician D4vd (David Anthony Burke). Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, while questions about her past and her alleged connection to the 20-year-old singer remain.
A troubled history of disappearances
Police reports and accounts from Celeste’s former teacher indicate that the teen ran away from home multiple times last year. Her first disappearance occurred in January 2024, when she was later found in the Hollywood Hills. Just months later, in April, the 13-year-old went missing again. Sources say she often relied on fake identification to navigate on her own. Her family filed at least three missing person reports during 2024.
Possible connection to D4vd
Investigators are attempting to trace Celeste’s movements in the months before her death. One key question is whether she had been secretly living with D4vd, the 20-year-old musician. Online sleuths have highlighted photos and videos allegedly showing Celeste with D4vd while she was still a missing minor.
Celeste’s mother told authorities she once dated a man named David, though it has not been confirmed if this refers to D4vd. Notably, both Celeste and the singer share a distinctive “Shh…” tattoo on their index fingers, a detail that helped investigators identify her decomposed remains through dental records and tattoo verification.
Discovery of the body
Celeste’s body was found on September 8, 2025, just a day after her 15th birthday, inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd. The car had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills for approximately five days before neighbors reported a foul odor, prompting authorities to impound it.
Ongoing speculation and public reaction
While investigators have not confirmed the nature of Celeste’s relationship with D4vd, public interest has surged due to photos and videos circulating online, as well as an unreleased track allegedly referencing a “Celeste.” Authorities are urging the public to avoid spreading unverified claims as the investigation continues.
The case remains under active investigation, and law enforcement continues to gather evidence to determine the circumstances leading to the teen’s death.