On April 8, 2026, it marked seven months since the dismembered body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered inside a Tesla registered to singer D4vd, 20, (real name David Anthony Burke) in Los Angeles. The tragic and brutal discovery was the beginning of a case that would frustrate and concern the public immensely. As previously reported by Los Angeles Magazine, Celeste vanished in February 2024 from Lake Elsinore, California, with her disappearance initially receiving limited attention before taking a shocking turn when her remains were found in September 2025 in the vehicle’s front trunk, or “frunk,” at an impound lot. The gruesome discovery triggered an abnormally secretive investigation, including search warrants, a sealed autopsy, and ultimately grand jury proceedings without a conclusion.
D4vd now suspected of murder in Celeste Rivas’s case. pic.twitter.com/uc49yC2IsM
— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) February 26, 2026
In the months since, the case has unfolded both inside courtroom and across the internet, where a growing community of online sleuths has dissected every development. From property transfers and legal filings to social media activity and witness testimony, in an effort to piece together what happened to the teen girl. While the LAPD have remained tight-lipped and reiterated that no charges have been filed, the case has become a lightning rod of speculation. The spotlight quickly turned to singer D4vd, as the dark themes throughout his music and videos took on a far more unsettling look. With songs like “Romantic Homicide,” videos depicting violence and death, and reports of burn cage incinerators found at his home, suspicion seemed to point in one direction. But it’s not that simple.
It’s April 8, 2026
Celeste Rivas Hernandez is still dead.
Law enforcement “on the case” has failed.
Alleged multi-victim child rapist and killer D4VD is still at large. pic.twitter.com/7RAQoIW489
— 🧑⚖️ The Diddy Docket (@diddydocket) April 8, 2026
Seven months later, the facts still remain limited and scarce. According to unsealed Los Angeles Superior Court documents, Burke has only been identified as a “target” of the investigation. No charges have been filed, and the case appears (at least publicly), to have stalled.
Singer D4vd named as “target” in Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s trunk death. Celeste went missing in April 2024 when she was 13 years old. Her body was found in the trunk of his Tesla on Sept. 8, 2025… https://t.co/fZrLSH14U8 pic.twitter.com/bKM5RRVAlm
— Sandra Rose (@SandraRose) February 26, 2026
Here’s a timeline of what we know so far:
Timeline: The Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez
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Credit: Lauren Conlin via AI
February 2024:
Celeste Rivas Hernandez is first reported missing
April 5, 2024
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 13, is reported missing again from Lake Elsinore, California after leaving home. Family members later say she had a history of running away.
April 2024
Missing person flyers begin circulating as the search for Celeste expands across Southern California.
Spring 2024
Investigators later identify some of Celeste’s last known movements: she is seen on surveillance video walking near a liquor store.
Mid-2025
Private investigator Steve Fischer, who later became involved in the case, states in interviews that he identified what he believes to be one of the last known images of Celeste alive: a photo he says helped narrow the timeline of her movements prior to her disappearance.
September 8, 2025
Celeste’s remains are discovered inside a Tesla registered to singer D4vd at a Los Angeles impound lot after a foul odor is reported.
September 16, 2025
Officials formally identify the remains as Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The condition of the body makes it difficult for the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.
September 17–18, 2025
In the immediate aftermath of the identification, online sleuths began surfacing Discord chats and alleged livestream clips appearing to show prior interactions between Celeste and D4vd. Reportedly, the livestream the two participated in together was from January 2024.
September 18, 2025
Celeste’s former teacher’s statements are revealed, confirming that she knew the singer, with the teacher claiming in a video that she met D4vd “online.”
September 18, 2025
LAPD executes a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills home tied to D4vd, marking a major escalation in the investigation.
September 19, 2025
D4vd cancels the remainder of his tour and delays the release of his Withered Deluxe album as scrutiny intensifies.
September 23, 2025
Property records show D4vd transfers ownership of a Texas home to his mother.
September 27, 2025
D4vd vacates the Los Angeles home that had been searched by police.
September 30, 2025
TMZ obtains and releases a video depicting Celeste appearing to be upset with her family, caught on a neighbor’s surveillance video. The video is from 2025, but the exact date is unknown
Late September 2025
It is publicly confirmed that D4vd has retained high-profile defense attorney Blair Berk.
October 6, 2025
Celeste is laid to rest at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Mortuary in California.
October 2025
D4vd’s manager, Josh Marshall, addresses the situation publicly in a TikTok video, denying any involvement in Celeste’s death and pushing back on online speculation linking him to the case.
October 14, 2025
The owner of the Hollywood Hills home tied to D4vd, Malden Trifunovic, confirms he has hired private investigator Steve Fischer amid frustration over the lack of progress in the case, and because his home is attached.
Mid-November 2025
A Los Angeles grand jury begins hearing evidence in the case.
November 21, 2025
A court order is obtained to seal Celeste’s autopsy findings and restrict the release of case details.
November 22–23, 2025
TMZ and other outlets report that Celeste’s body may have been frozen and dismembered
November 24–25, 2025
LAPD publicly refutes those claims, stating the body was not frozen or decapitated and had been in a hot vehicle for an extended period. They also mention a Santa Barbara trip that D4vd took in 2025 to share that they are investigating.
LAPD News: RHD Statement on Celeste Rivas Investigation pic.twitter.com/aPkRLS1uDL
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) November 25, 2025
November 24, 2025
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said it was legally barred from releasing Celeste’s autopsy results after a court order (again, requested by LAPD) placed the case under a rare security hold, marking the official secrecy in the investigation. The ME’s office released a statement, making it clear they did not agree with the secrecy.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office announced that a judge has ordered a hold on all records in the case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, meaning nothing can be released to the public right now -including her cause of death, autopsy findings, or any reports. The… pic.twitter.com/Bjr3gVIhjA
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) November 24, 2025
Late November 2025
Investigators begin describing the case in court filings as a potential homicide investigation.
December 8–11, 2025
Robert Morgenroth, a business manager tied to D4vd’s operations, testifies before the grand jury over multiple days.
January 23, 2026
D4vd’s former friend, Neo Langston, is arrested in Montana after failing to appear for grand jury proceedings and is returned to Los Angeles.
Neo LangstonCredit: Lewis and Clark Sheriff
January 30, 2026
Private investigator Steve Fischer said on X that the Tesla had been moved from an LAPD evidence hold to a private impound lot months earlier, where it quietly sat accruing fees.
Early February 2026
The vehicle was scheduled for public auction but was abruptly claimed hours before the sale by an individual presenting notarized paperwork, with ownership subsequently transferred out of Burke’s name, according to Fischer and reporting by Los Angeles Magazine.
February 4, 2026
Neo Langston testifies before the Los Angeles grand jury.
Neo Langston, 23, appeared at a Los Angeles courthouse on Wednesday and was reportedly friends with singer D4vd, whose car held the body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. @conlin_lauren, @LAmag contributor, tells “Jesse Weber Live” she’s starting to “really worry” about the case.… pic.twitter.com/B5kOmtV084
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 5, 2026
February 2026
Prosecutors seek testimony from D4vd’s parents and brother, prompting a legal fight over subpoenas in Texas.
February 25, 2026
Previously sealed details about the investigation surfaced through court filings tied to the subpoena dispute, including indications that D4vd is considered a target of the grand jury probe. The Burke family attorney, Kent Schaffer, also confirms that they filed a writ in the Court of Criminal Appeals, which granted their motion to stay the lower court’s order.
.@LADAOffice Nathan Hochman on @KTLA (4/9/2026) speaking about the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case and singer D4vd. He says his office is still “investigating,” while offering a smirk????? @SF_investigates pic.twitter.com/MbbHWDeeTS
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) April 10, 2026
April 9, 2026
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman appears on KTLA and says his office is still “investigating” the homicide of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
.@LADAOffice Nathan Hochman on @KTLA (4/9/2026) speaking about the Celeste Rivas Hernandez case and singer D4vd. He says his office is still “investigating,” while offering a smirk????? @SF_investigates pic.twitter.com/MbbHWDeeTS
— Lauren Conlin (@conlin_lauren) April 10, 2026
At the center of this case is a victim whose name should not be lost: Celeste Rivas Hernandez.