On September 8, 2025, the day after what would have been her 15th birthday, Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found dead in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to rising music star d4vd. The discovery at a Hollywood tow yard ended a 17-month search for the Lake Elsinore teen who vanished in April 2024, but it opened far more questions than it answered.
As of October 2025, no arrests have been made, no charges have been filed, and the cause of death remains deferred pending toxicology results. What we do know is that Celeste’s life ended far too soon, and her family is left searching for answers about how their daughter ended up in that Tesla trunk, hidden for weeks while investigators say the car sat abandoned in the Hollywood Hills.
Here is everything that is going on; it’s a long read. Grab a cup of coffee. We will keep updating this article as we get more information.
Quick Summary
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 13, was reported on April 5, 2024, after multiple prior disappearances.
Her body was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to music artist d4vd.
Celeste was identified through a distinctive “Shhh” tattoo on her right index finger.
The cause and manner of death remain deferred pending toxicology results.
No arrests have been made, and D4vd has not been named a suspect or person of interest.
Investigation remains ongoing.
D4vd’s entire career was halted following the discovery.
Celeste’s funeral was held on October 6, 2025.
Who is Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 13-year-old seventh grader from Lake Elsinore, California, when she was first reported missing on April 5, 2024. The first-generation daughter of immigrant parents from El Salvador, Celeste grew up in the working-class community about 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Neighbours and classmates described her as bubbly and sweet, a girl who wore Hello Kitty sandals and had dreams beyond the boundaries of her hometown.
According to a viral video from her former teacher, Celeste reportedly met rising TikTok music sensation d4vd online, ran away to Hollywood to be with him, and was brought back home by police before disappearing a final time in April 2024.
Whether this account is accurate remains under investigation, but what’s undeniable is that Celeste’s body was found in d4vd’s Tesla 17 months after she vanished. Investigators are still trying to piece together what happened.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez Biography
Celeste was born around September 7, 2009 or 2010 in California. She lived with her mother, Mercedes Martinez, and siblings, including her brother Matthew Rivas, and at least one sister, at their home in the 33000 block of Jamieson Street in Lake Elsinore, Riverside County.
Her aunt Dora Hernandez was also closely involved in her life.
Both of Celeste’s parents were legal US citizens who received Social Security numbers around 2001, having immigrated from El Salvador.
The family lived in public housing from 2019 to 2020, and according to multiple sources, Celeste had what friends and her ex-boyfriend described as a troubled home situation. Damien Hernandez, who dated Celeste when he was in eighth grade and she was in seventh, told TMZ that she talked often about her home life and said her parents were mean.
She frequently spoke about running away, even joked about it at school with friends who didn’t take the threats seriously at first.
Standing about five feet two inches tall with wavy black hair, Celeste was petite, weighing around 71 pounds. She had a distinctive tattoo on her right index finger that read “Shhh” in red ink, a detail that would later prove critical in identifying her remains.
This tattoo matched one that d4vd had on his right index finger. However, investigators noted through photograph analysis that d4vd did not have this tattoo through August 2024, meaning he got it sometime after Celeste went missing in April 2024.
By the time she was 13, Celeste had been reported missing at least three times in 2024 alone.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office responded to her family’s home 11 times between February 2024 and April 2025, with most visits classified as minor crime investigations or suspicious circumstances.
On March 19, 2024, deputies came three times in a single day: twice to her home and once to a liquor store on the same block. Surveillance video captured Celeste running down the street at 7 a.m., wearing a black hoodie and white pants. The footage shows a car pulling out after she ran out of frame, though it’s unclear if she entered the vehicle.
Celeste attended Lakeland Village Middle School in Lake Elsinore, where she was in seventh grade during the 2023-2024 school year. Her former science teacher, who no longer works at that school, would later post a viral TikTok video identifying her as a former student and sharing the story of her disappearances.
The teacher said Celeste was frequently absent from class, but he didn’t know much about her home life at the time.
Friends and classmates remember her as bright and caring, someone who was full of life. She had a boyfriend during middle school and hung out with friends in the neighbourhood, frequently visiting the corner shop and participating in afternoon programs with other local children. Store owner Elie Naddaf and neighbours later expressed sadness when they learned what happened to the girl they’d seen walking home from school.
Like many teens her age, Celeste was active on social media platforms, including Discord and others. According to her former teacher’s account and various reports, she met d4vd online, though the exact timeline and nature of their initial contact remains under investigation.
Discord messages that surfaced publicly suggest interactions between d4vd and someone named Celeste dating back to 2022, when she would have been only 11 or 12 years old. A Discord moderator posted in September 2025, essentially confirming the validity of these messages while claiming he didn’t know Celeste was underage.
Her ex-boyfriend Damien Hernandez described Celeste as someone who “wanted something serious” and was “really kind.”
But he also noted that she talked frequently about running away and expressed dissatisfaction with her home situation. This pattern of leaving and returning home had become established by early 2024, though she always came back until that final disappearance in April.
Before she went missing the final time, Celeste told her mother about having a boyfriend named David, though Mercedes never met him. This detail would take on significant meaning after her body was discovered in a Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, the legal name of musician d4vd.
The 11 deputy visits to the family home between February 2024 and April 2025 are particularly notable. Four of these incidents resulted in formal police reports, and three calls had planned follow-up investigations. The concentration of visits in March 2024 stands out, especially the three visits on March 19, when surveillance video captured what appears to be another runaway attempt.
These visits were classified in various ways as minor crime investigations and suspicious circumstances, suggesting ongoing issues at the residence that required law enforcement intervention.
Celeste wore clothing typical of her age, favouring casual items like black hoodies, grey pants, and those Hello Kitty sandals she was last seen wearing. Photos that circulated online showing her with someone matching d4vd’s description also featured Hello Kitty merchandise. Friends who knew her at school described her as someone who seemed to be searching for connection and acceptance, making her particularly vulnerable to online attention from older individuals.
Her personality traits made her well-liked in the community, but those same qualities, combined with her troubled home situation, may have made her susceptible to manipulation.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez Disappearance
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and multiple news sources, she was reported missing at least three times before her final disappearance. However, some sources suggest it may have been four separate incidents.
Her former teacher’s viral video provides what he claims is firsthand knowledge of earlier disappearances. He stated that while Celeste was his student, she met someone described as a rapper in LA through social media. According to the teacher, during the first incident, this person came and got her, she ran away from home, and was gone for about a month before the police found her in Hollywood and brought her back to school.
When she returned, she reportedly told classmates about what happened. The teacher said she then disappeared again in May 2024, though this timeline conflicts somewhat with the official missing person report dated April 5, 2024.
What’s documented officially is that on April 5, 2024, Celeste’s family reported her missing to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office at 9:00 p.m. Deputies responded to the 33000 block of Jamieson Street at 9:29 p.m., just 29 minutes after the report came in. She was 13 years old at the time. She was last seen wearing grey pants, a black sweater, a hat, and her Hello Kitty sandals. Deputies conducted an area search but were unable to locate her.
The report was classified as a runaway, and she was entered into the missing persons database.
Adding to the confusion about the timeline, ABC7 reported that Celeste called home at the end of May 2024, marking the last contact with her family. Even more surprisingly, TMZ obtained Nest doorbell footage dated September 8, 2024, that shows Celeste alive and having an altercation with a neighbour’s family in Lake Elsinore.
This footage, recorded exactly one year before her body was discovered, confirms she was alive at least five months after the April disappearance and had returned to or visited her family’s area at some point.
The search efforts by her family were persistent and heartbreaking. Mercedes Martinez and Dora Hernandez posted pleas on social media begging Celeste to return. Brother Matthew Rivas told NBC LA that when his sister disappeared, she was supposedly on her way to see a movie with him, but never returned.
The family created and distributed missing person posters throughout Lake Elsinore and the surrounding areas. Store owners and neighbours saw the posters, though many didn’t realise the severity of the situation until her body was discovered over a year later.
Community members expressed sadness about the case. One neighbour told reporters they had no idea about any of the circumstances until a news crew showed up at their door after the body was found. Store owner Elie Naddaf remembered seeing Celeste around the neighbourhood and noted the community’s grief when they learned what happened.
What makes this case particularly troubling is the allegation from her teacher that she had already run away to Hollywood once before, been found by police, and returned home, only to disappear again.
This pattern, if accurate, suggests that whatever pull brought her to Los Angeles the first time remained strong enough to bring her back despite the consequences.
Legal experts who reviewed the teacher’s video noted that if these allegations are confirmed, d4vd could face serious legal exposure for kidnapping, statutory rape, or trafficking, given that Celeste was only 13 when she first went missing in April 2024, and d4vd would have been 18 or 19 years old at that time.
Death Case
The discovery of Celeste’s body on September 8, 2025, happened almost by accident, the result of routine parking enforcement and a foul odour that couldn’t be ignored any longer. The Tesla that would become her makeshift tomb had been sitting abandoned in the Hollywood Hills for weeks, collecting dust and parking tickets before being towed to the Hollywood Tow impound lot.
The vehicle, a 2023 Tesla Model X or Model Y with Texas license plates, was registered in Hempstead, Texas, to David Anthony Burke, d4vd’s legal name. Neighbours on Bluebird Avenue in the Hollywood Hills had reported the abandoned car in late August, noting it had been parked on the street for more than a month.
Some said they’d seen the car moved several times over a three-month period, suggesting someone was periodically checking on or repositioning it.
On August 26, 2025, a neighbour formally reported the abandoned Tesla to authorities. The next day, August 27, a parking enforcement officer marked the Tesla’s tyres, documenting their position to track whether the vehicle moved.
On September 3, 2025, the car received a citation for violating the 72-hour parking ordinance. Two days later, on September 5, the Tesla was towed from its spot on Bluebird Avenue, which was just 150 to 500 feet from the $20,000-per-month rental home at the 1300 block of Doheny Place, where d4vd had been staying.
For three days, the Tesla sat in the impound lot at the 1000 block of North Mansfield Avenue near Romaine Street. Then, on September 8, 2025, workers at Hollywood Tow reported a foul odour coming from the vehicle. The car was described as emanating a smell strong enough to attract flies. LAPD officers responded to the impound lot around 12:30 p.m. and opened the front trunk, known as a frunk, where they made the grim discovery.
Inside was a severely decomposed body wrapped in a bag. The remains were not intact, described in some reports as partial remains, including head and torso. The level of decomposition suggested the body had been in the vehicle for an extended period, likely several weeks, according to investigators. The Tesla’s rear had a significant dent, and the entire vehicle was covered in thick dust, indicating it hadn’t been driven in some time.
The body was wearing a tube top and black leggings. A yellow metal chain bracelet adorned one wrist, and the person wore metal stud earrings. The individual had wavy black hair and was estimated to weigh about 71 pounds with a height of approximately five feet one or two inches. Most significantly, there was a tattoo on the right index finger that read “Shhh” in what appeared to be red ink.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office worked to identify the remains using forensics and dental radiograph comparison. On September 16, 2025, eight days after the discovery, they officially identified the body as that of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had just turned 15 years old on September 7, the day before her body was found.
The tattoo on her finger, matching the description her mother had given, proved crucial in making the identification.
The death certificate, obtained by ABC News, lists the date of death as September 8, 2025, the day the body was discovered and death was pronounced. However, investigators believe she had actually died weeks earlier.
The place of death is listed simply as “vehicle.” Most critically, both the cause and manner of death are marked as “DEFERRED,” pending additional testing, toxicology reports, and forensic analysis. The certificate does confirm one detail that had been subject to speculation: Celeste was not pregnant and had not been pregnant in the year before her death.
According to the LA County Medical Examiner’s statement, a deputy medical examiner completed an examination but requested additional testing and studies before making a decision. These deferred cases can take several months before a cause of death is determined. As of mid-October 2025, those results remain pending.
LAPD Captain and Commanding Officer Scot Williams confirmed what investigators know for certain: Celeste Rivas Hernandez died, and someone placed her body in the front trunk area of David Burke’s Tesla.
The vehicle had been parked at the location from which it was towed for several weeks, meaning Celeste may have been deceased inside the car for several weeks before discovery. But beyond those bare facts, almost everything else remains unclear.
On September 23, 2025, Celeste’s body was released to her family by the LA County Medical Examiner, allowing them to lay her to rest finally. A funeral service was held on October 6, 2025, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Mortuary in Rowland Heights, California.
Family members gathered under a large white tent on the cemetery grounds, carrying a white casket adorned with pink and white flowers. Photos from the service captured by media outlets showed mourners supporting each other in grief, finally able to say goodbye to Celeste even as they still sought answers about what happened to her.
The Singer Involved – D4VD:
David Anthony Burke, who performs under the stylised name d4vd, was born on March 28, 2005, in Queens, New York. When he was 13 years old, his family relocated to Houston, Texas, where he was homeschooled after seventh grade. He describes himself as a heavy believer in the Christian faith.
D4vd’s path to music stardom is a distinctly modern story. He started not as a musician but as a Fortnite gamer, streaming on YouTube under the channel name Limit Ant. He created gaming montages beginning in 2021, editing together his best gameplay moments. But like many YouTubers at the time, he ran into copyright strikes when he used popular music in his videos.
The strikes affected his ability to monetise his content, and he complained to his mother about losing income. Her response changed his life: she told him to make his own music and get out of her face.
Taking that advice literally, d4vd began recording songs in 2021 in his sister’s closet using nothing more than an iPhone and Apple earbuds. He had no musical training and taught himself to produce using BandLab, a free digital audio workstation software. He uploaded his early songs like “You and I,” “Take Me To the Sun,” and “Runaway” to SoundCloud, not expecting much.
Industry recognition followed the streaming numbers. D4vd made Billboard’s prestigious 21 Under 21 list in 2023 and received nominations for Streamy Awards, BMI Pop Music Awards, and Guild of Music Supervisors Awards. Just five days before Celeste’s body was discovered, Fortnite announced that d4vd had written the first official anthem for the game.
The song “Locked & Loaded” was released on September 4, 2025, with d4vd telling Variety that Fortnite had been such a big part of his life and led him to make music in the first place, calling the collaboration a full-circle moment.
His debut studio album, “Withered,” was released in 2025, and he launched the Withered World Tour in August. He was in the middle of that tour, performing in Minneapolis on the very day Celeste’s body was discovered on September 8. He went on to perform in Seattle on September 17, the same day LAPD executed a search warrant at his Hollywood Hills rental home.
But how exactly D4VD became connected to Celeste Rivas Hernandez remains a central question in this case. Multiple pieces of circumstantial evidence link them together. Most obviously, her body was found in his Tesla.
They both had matching “Shhh” tattoos on their right index fingers. However, photo analysis shows that d4vd didn’t have this tattoo through August 2024, meaning he got it sometime after Celeste went missing in April 2024. Her mother told TMZ that Celeste had mentioned having a boyfriend named David, though Mercedes never met him.
Perhaps most damning is a leaked demo song titled “Celeste_Demo unfin” that surfaced on SoundCloud in December 2023, months before Celeste’s disappearance. The lyrics include lines like “Oh Celeste, the girl with my name tattooed on her chest” and “I hear her voice each time I take a breath, I’m obsessed.”
Photos and videos circulating online allegedly show them together, though many show faces partially obscured. D4vd was photographed in Lake Elsinore, reportedly just 0.3 miles from Celeste’s family home.
He also tagged a user “0907” on social media, and September 7 is Celeste’s birthday.
The viral teacher video added another dimension to the allegations, claiming Celeste had run away to be with d4vd in Hollywood at least once before her final disappearance.
Legal expert Neama Rahmani of West Coast Trial Lawyers called the video a potential smoking gun, noting that if the allegations were confirmed, d4vd could face serious criminal exposure for kidnapping, statutory rape, or trafficking, given the significant age difference and Celeste’s status as a minor.
Search Warrants and Seized Evidence
The LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division took over the investigation from the moment Celeste’s body was identified, given that her death occurred in the Los Angeles jurisdiction, even though she was a Riverside County missing person. This elite unit typically handles the most complex and high-profile cases, and they’ve approached this one with methodical care, given the unknowns around the cause of death.
On September 17, 2025, nine days after the body was discovered and the day after official identification, LAPD detectives executed a search warrant at the Hollywood Hills home where d4vd had been staying. The property at the 1300 block of Doheny Place near Sunset Boulevard was a four-bedroom rental home that cost $20,000 per month.
The lease was in the name of Josh Marshall, d4vd’s manager at Interscope Records, who had signed it in February 2024, just before Celeste’s final disappearance.
The property had external security cameras installed at entry points, including the backyard and street-facing areas. Property owner Mladen Trifunovic stated the cameras were in place before Marshall signed the lease and that he believed people couldn’t enter or exit the property without being recorded.
However, Trifunovic doesn’t have access to the footage himself. On October 15, 2025, TMZ reported that the LAPD had seized all footage from these security cameras, which could potentially show anyone who entered or exited the property during the relevant time period.
During the search warrant execution, detectives removed multiple evidence bags from the property. Items seized included computers, laptops, and various electronic devices. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that investigators were explicitly looking for blood evidence and had scoured the building, checking drains for traces of blood or tissue. The LAPD issued a statement saying several items of evidence were recovered and would be analysed by detectives in the coming days. However, they haven’t publicly disclosed what those analyses revealed.
The Tesla itself is obviously critical evidence. The vehicle was registered to David Anthony Burke in Hempstead, Texas and was not reported stolen. It had been parked near the rental property that D4vd was using, close enough that it could have been easily accessible to him or others with access to the home. The car had been abandoned for several weeks, moved periodically according to neighbours, before finally being cited and towed.
D4vd’s cooperation status with the investigation has been the subject of conflicting reports. On September 17, a spokesperson told NBC News that d4vd had been informed about what happened and was fully cooperating with authorities, even though he was still out on tour at the time. However, LAPD Captain Williams later stated he could not confirm d4vd’s cooperation status.
What is clear is that d4vd retained Blair Berk, a high-profile criminal defence attorney whose notable past clients include Harvey Weinstein, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Mel Gibson, and Johnny Depp. Hiring such prominent legal representation suggests D4VD and his team are taking the investigation extremely seriously.
Josh Marshall, d4vd’s manager, addressed the situation through TikTok comments after rumours circulated that he had received emails from Celeste’s family in 2024 about her being missing. Marshall denied having any knowledge of anything, stating that he has three children, works remotely 95 per cent of the time, and his job doesn’t require much interaction with d4vd on a day-to-day basis, as many others work with the artist more directly.
On September 24, 2025, exactly one week after the search warrant was executed, moving crews were spotted removing d4vd’s belongings from the Hollywood Hills rental. Property owner Trifunovic confirmed that the lease was terminated early at management’s request, stating that d4vd and his team could no longer stay there. D4vd’s manager’s red Tesla was also removed from the property, and all belongings were cleared out.
Growing frustrated with the lack of updates from LAPD, Trifunovic announced on October 14 that he had hired a private investigator to look into what happened at his property. However, he emphasised wanting to respect both the LAPD’s investigation and the memory of the victim.
Current Status Of The Case
As of October 15, 2025, more than five weeks after Celeste’s body was discovered, the investigation remains in a frustrating holding pattern. No arrests have been made. No charges have been filed.
No suspect or person of interest has been publicly named. The LAPD has stated clearly that D4vd has not been designated as a suspect or person of interest. However, the circumstantial evidence of the body being found in his vehicle keeps public attention focused on him.
The reason for the lack of movement in the case comes down to one critical unknown: how Celeste died. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has deferred the cause of death, meaning they need additional testing, toxicology results, and forensic analysis before they can decide. More importantly, they haven’t determined the manner of death, whether it was homicide, accident, suicide, or natural causes.
This distinction is absolutely critical for the investigation.
In an official statement released on September 30, 2025, LAPD Captain Scot Williams explained the situation plainly: “The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of Ms Rivas Hernandez’s death. As such, it remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body.” That last phrase is key.
Concealing a body is only a misdemeanour in California, not a felony. Without establishing that Celeste died as a result of criminal action, investigators cannot determine what charges, if any, should be filed or against whom.
Legal experts have weighed in on why police cannot simply arrest D4VD based on the circumstantial evidence. Criminal defence attorney Sara Azari told NewsNation that without a confirmed manner of death, police are unable to make arrests. Once it’s deemed a homicide, police can dig deeper into potential suspects.
But rushing to arrest someone without autopsy results could risk the entire case being dismissed. Investigators need to establish probable cause, and right now, they don’t have enough concrete evidence to do that.
The death certificate, obtained by ABC News, officially lists the date of death as September 8, 2025, though that’s really the date the body was discovered and death was pronounced.
The actual date of death could have been weeks earlier based on the decomposition level. The place of death is listed as “vehicle.” The cause of death section reads “DEFERRED,” and the manner of death is marked as “PENDING INVESTIGATION.” The certificate does confirm that Celeste was not pregnant at the time of death and had not been pregnant in the year before her death, putting to rest earlier speculation on that front.
Private investigator Steve Fischer, who has been following the case closely, suggested to FOX 11 that one possibility being considered is that Celeste died of an accidental overdose. Her body was concealed to hide the relationship between her and d4vd. Under this theory, the concealment would be an attempt at damage control rather than covering up a murder.
Fischer noted he was “really baffled” that d4vd hasn’t at least come out, acknowledged what happened, said Celeste’s name, or offered condolences to the family.
Indeed, d4vd has maintained complete radio silence since the discovery. He has made no public statement. He hasn’t addressed the investigation, mentioned Celeste by name, offered condolences to her family, or posted on any of his social media platforms. His last Instagram post was on September 8, 2025, the very day Celeste’s body was discovered. Some of his posts appear to have been removed or archived during the investigation. This silence, while consistent with legal advice when represented by counsel, has only deepened public suspicion and frustration.
Celeste’s body was released to her family on September 23, 2025, two weeks after identification, allowing them to proceed with funeral arrangements. The memorial service took place on October 6, 2025, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Mortuary in Rowland Heights, California. Family members gathered under a white tent on the cemetery grounds, carrying a white casket adorned with pink and white flowers.
The GoFundMe campaign established to help with funeral expenses raised over $24,000, with a statement describing Celeste as “a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend” whose family is “heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss.”
The investigation is officially described as “ongoing.” LAPD stated in their October 14 update that once additional information is available to share with the public, their Media Relations Division will release it.
Investigators are processing evidence seized from the Hollywood Hills home, analysing electronics and computers, reviewing surveillance camera footage, and working closely with the LA County Medical Examiner’s office as they await toxicology results. Captain Williams stated that RHD is “thoroughly examining every aspect of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family.”
Impact Of The Case
The ripple effects from this case have been swift and devastating across multiple dimensions. For d4vd, what was shaping up to be a breakthrough year transformed overnight into a career in free fall. For Celeste’s community, the discovery brought both closure and anguish. For the broader public, the case has sparked intense debate about the relationship between young fans and adult celebrities in the social media age.
D4vd’s career essentially halted the moment the body was identified. He had been performing on his Withered World Tour when news broke, playing shows in Minneapolis on September 8 and Seattle on September 17.
But after the Seattle show, performed the same day LAPD executed the search warrant at his Hollywood Hills home, the tour began to crumble. He quietly cancelled San Francisco and Los Angeles dates in late September. The Grammy Museum appearance scheduled for September 24 was also scrapped.
Then came the wholesale cancellations. The entire European leg of his tour, which was supposed to kick off on October 1, 2025, in Oslo, Norway and run through early December with stops across Scandinavia, the UK, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Poland, was wiped from the schedule. Venues posted identical cancellation notices citing “unforeseen circumstances” and promised refunds at the point of purchase. The Australian and New Zealand shows planned for December, including an appearance at the Spilt Milk festival on December 10, were also canceled.
Brand partnerships evaporated just as quickly. On September 9, 2025, the day after Celeste’s body was discovered, d4vd had been announced as the face of a “Dream Drop” collaboration between Crocs and Hollister.
Both brands moved swiftly to distance themselves, removing all campaign content featuring d4vd from their websites and social media. In a joint statement to Footwear News, they said they were aware of the developing story and, with respect to the current situation, had removed campaign content featuring d4vd while the investigation continues.
His record label, UMG and Interscope, suspended all promotional activity for d4vd.
The deluxe edition of his “Withered” album, subtitled “Marcescence” and scheduled for release on September 20, 2025, was shelved indefinitely. All album rollout plans were put on hold. Other artists began distancing themselves as well. Kali Uchis announced she is in the process of getting their collaboration “Crashing” removed from streaming services. Multiple artists reportedly unfollowed d4vd on social media, including Tyler, The Creator, according to some reports.
In a paradox that often accompanies true crime cases, d4vd’s streaming numbers actually surged. Morbid curiosity and true crime interest drove streams up by over 60 per cent in the weeks following the discovery. September 22, 2025, became his biggest day ever on Spotify with over 12 million streams. “Romantic Homicide” saw a massive spike in plays, and his 2023 EP “Petals to Thorns” re-entered the Billboard 200 chart. But these numbers, while impressive in a vacuum, came at a terrible cost to his reputation and long-term career prospects.
Industry insiders suggested that career recovery would be “a tough thing to do at this time.” D4vd’s exact whereabouts became unknown as he withdrew entirely from public life. His social media went silent.
He hasn’t performed since September 17.
His net worth was estimated at around $2 million by Celebrity Net Worth. Still, the loss of tour income, streaming revenue sharing with his label, and brand partnerships has undoubtedly impacted his financial situation.
Even more concerning was the swatting attack on his parents’ home in Texas in September, a false emergency call claiming there was a shooting, which brought armed police to their door and endangered their safety.
For Celeste’s community in Lake Elsinore, the discovery brought a mixture of grief and anger. A candlelight vigil was held on September 21, 2025, on the street where Celeste had lived. Approximately 50 people attended, mostly high school-aged, gathering with flowers, candles, teddy bears, and mementoes. A banner reading “Justice for Celeste Rivas” captured the community’s demand for accountability. Attendees who hadn’t even known Celeste personally expressed devastation, with one mother saying it hit home because it could have been anybody’s kid.
The funeral on October 6 provided a moment for the family to gather and honour Celeste’s memory. The service was private, but photos captured by the media showed mourners supporting each other through their grief. Esmeralda Lozano organised a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of the Rivas Hernandez family due to the financial burden that tragedies like this place on working-class families, with the community rallying to help cover costs that most families couldn’t bear on their own.
Online, the case exploded across social media platforms. True crime communities dissected every detail. TikTok users created videos analysing d4vd’s lyrics, music videos, and past interviews for clues. The “Romantic Homicide” song title took on a sinister new meaning for many.
Music videos were scrutinised, with users pointing out that “One More Dance” shows a figure in a bloodied shirt near a body being put in a trunk, and “Rehab” depicts dismemberment imagery. A resurfaced interview where d4vd discussed the dark inspiration for his music was passed around as potential evidence of his mindset.
As of mid-October 2025, the case remains unresolved. Celeste has been laid to rest, but her family still doesn’t have answers about how she died or who is responsible for concealing her body in that Tesla trunk.
D4vd remains in legal limbo, his career on indefinite hold while attorneys presumably prepare for whatever comes next.
LAPD investigators continue their work, waiting for the critical toxicology and forensic results that will finally allow them to determine what happened and whether criminal charges are warranted.
