D4vd Named Prime Suspect in Dismemberment Death of 15-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

When the dismembered body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found inside a Tesla parked at a Los Angeles tow yard on September 19, 2025, no one imagined it would lead to the downfall of one of R&B’s most promising young stars. Now, just two months later, the New York Police Department Robbery Homicide Division has named 20-year-old singer D4vd — real name undisclosed — as the prime suspect in her murder. The case, already shocking for its brutality, took a darker turn when investigators revealed they believe D4vd didn’t act alone. The twist? He’s reportedly been uncooperative from day one.

The Discovery That Shook Los Angeles

The vehicle carrying Celeste’s remains was towed from a spot just one block from D4vd’s rental home in the Hollywood Hills — a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood where paparazzi rarely lingered. The Tesla, registered to D4vd, had been abandoned after being reported stolen — or so it seemed. When tow truck operators opened the trunk, they found what authorities later described as "the most disturbing scene they’d encountered in decades." Celeste, a local teenager with no known criminal record, had been dismembered. Her remains were wrapped in plastic, partially frozen, and hidden beneath floor mats. No signs of struggle were found inside the car. That alone raised red flags.

A Singer on the Rise — and a Mysterious Trip

D4vd, whose real name remains withheld by media, had been climbing fast. His 2024 debut album, Chaos in the Clubhouse, went platinum. By spring 2025, he was headlining festivals and collaborating with major artists. But around March 2025, TMZ.com reported he vanished for 14 hours — no public appearances, no social media updates. He was last seen leaving his L.A. home at 2 a.m. and reappeared near a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County, where cell service is spotty and surveillance cameras are nonexistent. Authorities now believe that trip wasn’t a creative retreat. It was a disposal run.

Investigators Believe He Had Help

Here’s the chilling development: People magazine, citing law enforcement sources, reported on November 20, 2025, that investigators believe D4vd "most likely had help dismembering and disposing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body." That’s not speculation — it’s a shift in the investigation’s core theory. Dismemberment requires tools, strength, and time. And the body was found in a vehicle that had been driven across county lines. Someone else was involved.

KTLA 5 News’s Mary Beth McDade confirmed the accomplice theory is now central to the probe. "They’ve gone up on the phones of David and everybody else involved — the manager," said the host of true-crime YouTube channel 'Surviving the Survivor'. "They’ve scrubbed every social media post. Every DM. Every deleted photo. Kids are all over this case. That’s why it’s exploded." Authorities are now analyzing call logs, GPS data, and even private Instagram messages from people connected to D4vd’s inner circle.

Why the NYPD Is Leading a California Case

You might wonder: Why is the New York Police Department Robbery Homicide Division handling a murder in Los Angeles? Because D4vd’s management company, Velvet Echo Records, is headquartered in Manhattan. The FBI has deferred jurisdiction to NYPD due to the company’s New York ties and the digital evidence trail — including server logs, encrypted messaging apps, and financial transfers — pointing back to the label’s offices. It’s rare, but not unprecedented. When celebrity cases involve corporate structures across state lines, federal agencies often defer to the jurisdiction with the strongest digital footprint.

What Happens Next?

No arrest has been made. No warrant has been publicly issued. But sources say detectives are close to identifying at least two potential accomplices — one believed to be a tour manager, another a sound technician who traveled with D4vd during his spring 2025 tour. Both have been interviewed, but neither has been charged. The lack of cooperation from D4vd — reportedly refusing to answer questions without legal counsel present — has slowed progress. Still, investigators say they have enough circumstantial evidence to pursue a grand jury indictment.

The music industry is holding its breath. D4vd’s record label has suspended all promotions. His upcoming tour, scheduled for January 2026, has been canceled. Streaming platforms have quietly removed his music from algorithmic playlists. Fans are divided: some still defend him as a victim of media hysteria; others are posting tributes to Celeste, calling for justice.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about one singer. It’s about the unchecked power of fame. Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a high school sophomore who worked part-time at a local bookstore. She had no social media presence beyond a private Instagram account with 200 followers. D4vd, meanwhile, had over 18 million followers. The disparity in attention is grotesque — and it’s why this case has become a cultural flashpoint. Advocacy groups are now demanding better protections for minors in proximity to celebrities, especially in entertainment hubs like Los Angeles.

The investigation continues. Forensic teams are still analyzing the Tesla’s interior for trace evidence. A search warrant was executed on D4vd’s storage unit in Van Nuys last week. Authorities won’t say what they found — but they’re not saying they didn’t find anything, either.