Teen Found Dismembered In Singer's Tesla Was Likely Dead 'For Several Weeks': LAPD

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The body of a 15-year-old girl whose decomposing and dismembered body was found at a tow yard in a Tesla owned by popular singer D4vd may have been dead and inside the vehicle for "several weeks," police said Monday.

Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found inside the front trunk of a Tesla — registered in Texas to the singer D4vd — on Sept. 8 at a Hollywood tow yard, according to authorities. Celeste, then 13, was reported as a runaway in April 2024 from Lake Elsinore.

The Tesla had been abandoned near a home on Doheny Place in the Hollywood Hills, not far from a home the 20-year-old singer had lived in.

"The vehicle had been parked at the location from which it was towed for several weeks, so Ms. Rivas Hernandez may have been deceased for several weeks before the discovery of her body," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement Monday.

The Los Angeles Times reported Saturday that the 2023 Tesla had been parked on Bluebird Avenue in Hollywood Hills for so long that some residents complained about it in late August, leading the car to be ticketed. A parking enforcement officer marked the Tesla on Aug. 27, noting the position of its tires, according to The Times. The officer issued a citation on Sept. 3 to the Tesla for violating the 72-hour parking ordinance.

Celeste was born on Sept. 7, 2010 — her body was found the day after her 15th birthday, the Times reported.

• Read more: Teen Whose Body Was Found In Singer's Car, Remembered 1 Year After Reported Missing

"It remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body. (Homicide detectives are) thoroughly examining every aspect of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family," the LAPD said Monday.

Authorities have not said how Celeste and D4vd — whose real name is David Anthony Burke — are connected.

TMZ reported that the girl's mother confirmed Celeste had a tattoo of the word "Shhh..." on her finger, a detail noted in the Medical Examiner's report. She also said her daughter's boyfriend was named "David."

D4vd has a similar tattoo, as do celebrities including Rihanna, TMZ reported.

A representative for D4vd has said the singer is cooperating with investigators.

At the time Celeste's body was discovered, Burke was in the middle of a tour that has since been canceled. Scheduled stops included one at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

"The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of Ms. Rivas Hernandez’s death," police said Monday.

City News Service contributed to this report.