Los Angeles authorities have prevented the county coroner’s office from disclosing information regarding the death of a teenage girl discovered in the trunk of a vehicle linked to the musician d4vd, as confirmed by the medical examiner’s office on Monday. The deceased, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was found on September 8 inside an impounded Tesla in Los Angeles shortly after turning 15. Reports indicated that the vehicle belonged to d4vd, also known as David Anthony Burke, aged 20.
In response to a court order initiated by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the medical examiner’s office has placed a security hold on the case of Rivas Hernandez. This order, issued on Friday, stipulates that no information, including the cause and manner of death and the Medical Examiner report, can be disclosed until further notice.
Following media reports suggesting that the Houston-born alt-pop singer is a suspect in the case, LAPD has not officially confirmed this information. The security hold, according to LAPD Capt. Mike Bland, aims to ensure that investigators have access to information before it is made public, rather than to obstruct transparency.
Dr. Odey Ukpo, the chief medical examiner, expressed that such security holds are uncommon in other California counties but are necessary to comply with legal obligations. The medical examiner’s office previously stated that Rivas Hernandez’s body was severely decomposed and had likely been inside the vehicle for an extended period before discovery.
Rivas Hernandez, who was last seen in April 2024 in Lake Elsinore, was known to the public for her unique blend of indie rock, R&B, and lo-fi pop music. D4vd had achieved popularity among the Gen Z demographic, particularly after his TikTok hit “Romantic Homicide.” His performances were impacted by the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s body, leading to the cancellation of North American shows and a planned European tour.
