R&B Star D4vd Named Suspect in Homicide of 15-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez
When D4vd, the 19-year-old R&B sensation known for hauntingly atmospheric hits like "Romantic Homicide," was named a suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the music world froze. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed on November 19, 2025, that the case—originally filed as a missing persons report in April 2024—is now a full-blown homicide investigation. The timing couldn’t be more jarring: just months after D4vd’s debut album soared to No. 3 on the Billboard charts, detectives are now examining his digital footprint, vehicle movements, and possible accomplices in the death of a girl who vanished from her home in Lake Elsinore, California.
From Missing to Murder: A Timeline That Doesn’t Add Up
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, born June 12, 2009, disappeared between April 15 and April 30, 2024, after running away from her family’s home at 1420 W. Graham Avenue. Her mother, Maria Hernandez, and stepfather, Carlos Mendoza, reported her missing to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, which opened case MP-2024-0415-7732. For over a year, the case went cold—until spring 2025. That’s when TMZ broke a story that would change everything: GPS data from D4vd’s 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe showed a 127-mile overnight trip on April 28, 2025, from Los Angeles to a remote stretch of Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara County. The vehicle sat parked for 4 hours and 22 minutes—between 1:47 a.m. and 6:09 a.m.—with no cell activity or known witnesses. Investigators later confirmed the timing aligned with a window when Celeste’s body may have been moved. The LAPD took over the case in May 2025 after forensic links emerged between Celeste’s belongings and evidence found near the forest site. Her fingertips, reportedly removed from her home in April 2024, were later identified in a sealed evidence bag tied to a vehicle registered under D4vd’s name. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office confirmed homicide in October 2025, though the full autopsy report remains sealed until December 5, 2025.How a Viral Star Became a Suspect
D4vd—real name David Perez, born March 4, 2005, in Long Beach—rose to fame in 2022 with TikTok snippets of his melancholic, lo-fi R&B. Signed to Sunset Records in January 2023, he quickly became a favorite among Gen Z audiences drawn to his emotionally raw lyrics. But behind the scenes, investigators say, a darker connection formed. According to sources familiar with the case, Celeste had been messaging D4vd on Instagram and Twitter since late 2023. She allegedly traveled to Los Angeles twice in early 2024 to attend concerts he performed at the Fonda Theatre and the Troubadour. Surveillance footage from a gas station near Hollywood Boulevard captured her entering his vehicle on March 12, 2024—just weeks before she vanished. No one else was seen with her that day. The LAPD has seized D4vd’s iPhone 15 Pro Max and MacBook Pro, both of which reportedly contained deleted messages referencing "cleaning up" and "no trace left." His management team, 5th Kind Management, has remained silent. No public statement has been issued since the story broke.
Who Else Might Be Involved?
Here’s the twist: detectives aren’t just focused on D4vd. They’re hunting for a silver 2023 Ford Transit cargo van with a partially visible license plate: "7XJY." Witnesses near the Santa Barbara location reported seeing the van parked near the same forest trail between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on April 28, 2025. One anonymous tipster told investigators the van had a decal of a music festival logo—possibly Rolling Loud, which D4vd is scheduled to perform at on December 13, 2025, in Miami. The LAPD has not ruled out the possibility of an accomplice. Could someone have helped dispose of the body? Or was the van used by someone else entirely? The lack of fingerprints or DNA at the scene suggests a deliberate, coordinated effort. And that’s what makes this case so chilling.The Community That Never Stopped Looking
While the world watched D4vd’s rise, the people of Lake Elsinore never gave up. Over 200 volunteers—from Elsinore High School students to local police auxiliaries—distributed 15,000 flyers across Riverside County between April and July 2024. Vigils were held. Candlelight marches filled the streets. Celeste’s friends created a memorial Instagram page that still gets 500 new followers a week. "She was the kind of girl who remembered your birthday," said her best friend, Lina Morales, in a 2024 interview. "She didn’t have much, but she gave everything she had. And now? No one’s even saying her name out loud anymore." That silence is what haunts the community now. The fame, the music, the headlines—they’ve all drowned out the fact that a child is gone. And for many, D4vd’s name isn’t just a suspect—it’s a symbol of how easily the powerful can disappear the vulnerable.
What’s Next?
The next 14 days are critical. The full autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office is due December 5, 2025. If it confirms trauma consistent with foul play beyond the initial homicide ruling, an arrest warrant could follow within days. Meanwhile, the Rolling Loud performance is under review; festival organizers say they’re "monitoring developments closely." Detectives are also analyzing metadata from over 1,200 social media posts D4vd made between January and April 2024—looking for hidden clues in lyrics, captions, and even photo geotags. One post from March 28, 2024, simply read: "Some ghosts don’t need a grave to be remembered." It’s no longer just a music scandal. It’s a justice question.Frequently Asked Questions
How did LAPD connect D4vd to Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s death?
LAPD linked D4vd through GPS data from his vehicle, which showed an unexplained 127-mile overnight trip to Los Padres National Forest on April 28, 2025—just weeks after Celeste vanished. Investigators also found digital evidence on his devices suggesting attempts to delete communications, and forensic analysis of items from her home matched materials found near the forest site. Social media messages and surveillance footage from March 2024 further tied him to her last known movements.
Why did the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department transfer the case to LAPD?
Jurisdiction shifted because evidence—specifically digital footprints, vehicle tracking, and forensic materials—pointed to activity within Los Angeles County. While Celeste disappeared in Lake Elsinore, her last known location before vanishing was in Los Angeles, and the key forensic links were found in areas under LAPD’s authority. The transfer was formalized in May 2025 after corroborating evidence emerged.
Is D4vd under arrest?
No, D4vd has not been arrested as of November 19, 2025. However, LAPD has seized his electronic devices and is treating him as a suspect. An arrest warrant is pending the release of the full autopsy report on December 5, 2025. If the report confirms additional physical evidence of assault or homicide, charges could be filed immediately after.
What role did social media play in this case?
Social media was the bridge between D4vd and Celeste. She followed him closely, sent direct messages, and traveled to his concerts. Investigators believe these interactions escalated into in-person meetings, which may have led to her disappearance. D4vd’s own posts—particularly cryptic lyrics and deleted messages—are now being analyzed as potential admissions or clues. His fanbase, once supportive, is now divided over whether his music was a reflection of real actions.
Why is the silver Ford Transit van important?
The van, seen near the Santa Barbara location during the critical 4.5-hour window, may have been used to transport Celeste’s body or assist in evidence disposal. Its partial license plate ("7XJY") and festival decal suggest a possible connection to someone involved in the music industry. LAPD is asking the public to come forward if they recognize the vehicle or its driver—making it one of the most active leads in the case.
What impact could this have on D4vd’s career?
If charged, D4vd’s career would likely collapse overnight. His record label, Sunset Records, has already suspended promotional activities. Streaming platforms may pull his music. Concerts, including Rolling Loud in December, are under review. Beyond legal consequences, the cultural backlash could be severe—especially given his music’s themes of death and emotional decay, which now feel chillingly prescient to many fans.