The LA County Department of Medical Examiner has removed publicly-viewable information about the ongoing investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas-Hernandez, the 15-year-old whose remains were discovered inside a Tesla sedan registered to the pop singer D4vd.
The Medical Examiner, commonly referred to as the Coroner, confirmed Monday that it received a court order to place a security hold, or ‘seal,’ on information connected with the case.
“No records or details associated with the case, including the cause and manner of death and Medical Examiner report, can be released or posted on the website until further notice,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo in a statement.
The November 21 court order was obtained at the request of the LAPD, which previously made an informal request in September to withhold information about the case, the statement said.
The Medical Examiner said that initial request was denied, “due to insufficient jurisdiction to warrant the hold.”
Questions about the cause and timing of Rivas-Hernandez’ death remain a mystery and a key focus of the LAPD’s investigation.
Last week an LAPD official not authorized to speak publicly about the case told NBC4 Investigates that D4vd was now considered a suspect in the teen’s death.
The official also said investigators believed her death occurred sometime in the Spring — months before her remains were discovered — and that it was likely a second person had assisted in the attempt to dispose of her body.
NBC4 first reported the discovery of the remains inside the Tesla’s front trunk September 8 by employees of Hollywood Tow, one of the LAPD’s official impound yards.
About a week later the Medical Examiner identified the deceased person as Rivas-Hernandez, who was last seen alive in April, 2024.
The LAPD official said D4vd, who’s legal name is David Burke, has not been cooperating with detectives.
Calls to the attorney believed to representing D4vd have not been returned.