When the dismembered body of 17-year-old Celeste Rivas was found in the trunk of a Tesla at a Los Angeles tow yard in mid-September 2025, no one expected the case to spiral into a high-profile mystery involving a rising music star. Now, nearly two months later, sources close to the Los Angeles Police Department reveal that singer D4vd — whose real name remains undisclosed — is a person of serious interest in the investigation. The vehicle, registered to him, was discovered abandoned at the tow yard, and investigators believe he played a central role in Rivas’s death — and in the gruesome effort to conceal it.
What We Know About the Crime
The Los Angeles discovery sent shockwaves through the city. Rivas’s remains were so severely dismembered that forensic teams spent weeks reconstructing her body. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the mutilation but has not yet released a cause of death. No weapon was recovered. No blood evidence tied to the scene has been publicly detailed. And crucially, no one has been arrested. According to internal sources, investigators uncovered digital trails suggesting D4vd was in contact with Rivas in the days leading up to her disappearance. Cell tower pings place his phone near the tow yard on the night the Tesla was reportedly dropped off. Social media activity from Rivas’s accounts abruptly stopped on September 12, 2025 — three days before the vehicle was towed. The LAPD is now seeking subpoenas for his iCloud, Instagram DMs, and Apple Watch health data.D4vd’s Silence Speaks Volumes
Since the investigation began, D4vd has not spoken to police. His legal team has declined all requests for comment. He hasn’t posted on social media since September 15. His publicist hasn’t returned calls. That silence, in a case where cooperation could have cleared his name, has become as damning as the evidence. "He’s not just uncooperative — he’s vanished," said one source familiar with the probe. "When someone who’s got a platform like his stops talking entirely, it doesn’t look like innocence. It looks like damage control." The LAPD’s Homicide Division, based at 111 North Charleton Street, has since expanded its focus beyond D4vd. Sources say investigators are now looking at at least three other individuals — all connected to him through music industry circles or social media networks — who may have assisted in transporting or hiding the body. "They’re focusing in on certain individuals," one source said, "and those individuals are concerned now that they know the LAPD is focusing in on them."
The Broader Impact: Fame, Privacy, and Public Fear
This isn’t just a homicide case. It’s a cultural reckoning. D4vd, 24, rose to fame through TikTok and SoundCloud with moody, cinematic pop songs that resonated with Gen Z. He sold out arenas. He had over 12 million followers. Now, his name is linked to a crime so violent it’s drawing comparisons to the 2013 murder of 16-year-old Rebecca Sedwick — another case where digital footprints and silence became central to the investigation. Parents in Los Angeles are asking hard questions. Schools are holding safety briefings. Teenagers are rethinking who they message online. "We thought fame was about music," said Maria Delgado, a mother of two in East LA. "Now we see it can be a mask." The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, located at 211 West Temple Street, is already in discussions with LAPD about potential charges — including murder, accessory after the fact, and evidence tampering. But prosecutors won’t move forward without physical evidence tying D4vd directly to the killing.What’s Next?
The next phase hinges on forensic work. The Tesla’s interior is being scanned for trace DNA, fibers, and digital data from its onboard systems. Investigators are analyzing the tow yard’s security footage from September 14–16. They’re also cross-referencing Rivas’s last known locations with D4vd’s movements — including a rumored private party at a studio in Culver City on September 11. Grand jury proceedings could begin as early as January 2026. If prosecutors find enough evidence, they may seek an indictment for first-degree murder. But without a confession or a murder weapon, the case will rely heavily on circumstantial digital evidence — a high bar in California courts.
Why This Case Is Different
Most homicide investigations start with a body and end with a suspect. This one starts with a body — and a silence that’s louder than any statement. The dismemberment suggests planning. The use of a registered vehicle suggests an attempt to appear normal. The lack of public reaction from D4vd suggests fear — or guilt. And the fact that no one has been charged after two months? That tells us the LAPD is being cautious. Or that they’re missing something. "This isn’t a crime of passion," said retired LAPD homicide detective Luis Mendez. "This is the work of someone who knew how to cover tracks. Someone who understood how the system works. And someone who thought they could disappear into the noise." They might have been wrong.Frequently Asked Questions
Why hasn’t D4vd been arrested yet?
Prosecutors need more than suspicion — they need admissible evidence tying D4vd directly to the killing. So far, there’s no forensic match (DNA, fingerprints) linking him to the body or the Tesla’s interior. Without a weapon, a confession, or eyewitnesses, the LAPD is still gathering digital and circumstantial evidence. An arrest won’t happen until they have enough for a grand jury to indict.
How did Celeste Rivas know D4vd?
The relationship remains unknown. Authorities have not confirmed whether they were romantically involved, knew each other through music, or met online. Investigators are reviewing DMs, Instagram followers, and event attendance records to map their connection. Rivas was not a public figure, and no photos of them together have surfaced publicly.
What role did the Tesla play in the investigation?
The Tesla’s onboard systems — including its GPS history, cabin camera (if enabled), and Bluetooth pairing logs — are critical. Investigators are analyzing whether the car was driven by D4vd or someone else after Rivas disappeared. The vehicle’s registration is under his name, but the car’s location data from September 12–14 could reveal whether it was used to transport the body or was tampered with afterward.
Could other people be charged too?
Yes. Sources confirm investigators are examining at least three other individuals connected to D4vd’s inner circle — possibly assistants, crew members, or friends who helped move the body. Charges could include accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice, or even conspiracy if evidence shows prior knowledge. The LAPD has stated "nobody has been excluded" from suspicion.
What’s the timeline for charges?
No formal timeline exists. Forensic reconstruction of the body is still ongoing, and digital evidence from devices is being processed. Grand jury proceedings could begin in January 2026, but if evidence is weak, prosecutors may wait months — or even drop the case if no solid proof emerges. The LAPD has said they have "a lot of work left to do."
Why is this case getting so much attention?
Because it blends celebrity culture, digital privacy, and extreme violence in a way that feels disturbingly modern. D4vd represents a generation of artists who built fame online — and now, his silence is being interpreted as complicity. The case has become a symbol of how easily fame can mask danger, and how quickly a teenager’s life can vanish into the digital void.
