The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the remains as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 15, the missing Lake Elsinore teen who vanished in April 2024. The discovery came last week when authorities found a body inside a Tesla registered to indie-pop singer d4vd, police said.
Officers found the vehicle in a Los Angeles tow yard after a report of a foul odor. Investigators said Hernandez’s head and torso were found in a bag inside the front trunk of the Tesla, which had been in the yard for five days. Riverside County Sheriff's Office had previously said Hernandez had run away from home at least once before she was reported missing from Lake Elsinore in April 2024.
David Anthony Burke, the registered owner of the Tesla, is known by his stage name d4vd. LAPD Detective Moses Castillo said investigators would question Burke to determine where he has been and to review cellphone records to connect timelines. Burke’s representatives told KNBC that he is still on tour but is cooperating with authorities. Burke has not been charged with a crime at this time.
Burke has received attention in the music industry, including BMI Pop Awards in 2024 for the songs Romantic Homicide and Here With Me. In the wake of the investigation, brands that had campaigns with Burke paused or pulled content; Crocs and Hollister said they removed campaign content featuring d4vd while the investigation continues, according to Women's Wear Daily’s Footwear News. Complex reported that Kali Uchis said she is pulling her collaboration with Burke, titled Crashing, and noted the artist is not a friend.
Authorities said the case remains under active investigation and no charges have been filed while detectives gather cellphone records and corroborate timelines. Further updates will be released by law enforcement as appropriate.