The mystery surrounding the death of Celeste Rivas deepened this week after her official death certificate revealed that the cause of death is still being deferred, pending toxicology results and further investigation.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, the 15-year-old’s body was discovered on September 8, 2025, inside a vehicle in Los Angeles.
The L.A. County Medical Examiner confirmed an autopsy was performed but stated additional testing is needed before determining both the cause and manner of death.
The death certificate also clarified that Rivas was not pregnant at the time of her death and had not been pregnant within the last year — a detail that had been the subject of speculation online.
Rivas’ dismembered remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to musician David Burke, better known as D4vd, which had been abandoned for weeks in the Hollywood Hills.
The shocking discovery launched a high-profile investigation and raised questions about how long her body had been concealed.
The mystery surrounding the death of Celeste Rivas deepened this week after her official death certificate revealed that the cause of death is still being deferred
LAPD Captain Scot Williams told TMZ that confirming whether Rivas died from foul play or other causes is critical to the case, noting that without the Medical Examiner’s findings, detectives cannot formally classify her death as a homicide.
In a news release issued Monday, the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division confirmed the ongoing probe, stating: ‘It remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body. RHD is thoroughly examining every aspect of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family.’
The department acknowledged the vehicle had been parked at the location for several weeks before it was towed, suggesting Rivas may have been deceased for some time before the grisly discovery.
While under scrutiny, D4vd initially continued performing on tour before abruptly canceling his Seattle show after police confirmed Rivas’ identity.
The LAPD has urged patience as investigators await toxicology results and review potential evidence.
For now, the manner of death remains undetermined.
Last week TMZ reported friends of D4vd believed Rivas was the singer’s girlfriend.
According to the outlet, insiders who partied with D4vd, 20 – real name David Anthony Burke – and Celeste believed the pair were romantically linked and thought she was far older than she really was.
The death certificate also clarified that Rivas was not pregnant at the time of her death and had not been pregnant within the last year — a detail that had been the subject of speculation online; seen in March 2025
Rivas’ dismembered remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to musician David Burke, better known as D4vd, which had been abandoned for weeks in the Hollywood Hills
Several said they were convinced she was a student at the University of Southern California and estimated her age at around 19.
The insiders noted that Celeste — who reportedly met the musician when she was just 12 — frequently attended age-restricted venues, which fueled the assumption she was legally an adult. The news she was actually 14 has left many stunned.
While authorities have not established any direct connection between Celeste’s death and D4vd – whose demeanor friends described as ‘super shy, soft spoken and gentle – the discovery of her remains in his vehicle has sparked widespread speculation and unease.
Adding to the tragic complexity, law enforcement previously revealed that Celeste had run away from home multiple times and was described as coming from a ‘troubled’ family environment.
Before officials publicly identified Celeste as the victim, her mother told TMZ she believed her daughter had been dating someone named David.
The shocking discovery launched a high-profile investigation and raised questions about how long her body had been concealed
While under scrutiny, D4vd initially continued performing on tour before abruptly canceling his Seattle show after police confirmed Rivas’ identity.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine how the teenager ended up in the trunk of the 20-year-old singer’s car.
Police recently raided D4vd’s now vacated Hollywood Hills rental home, in search of blood evidence linked to the dismembered teen.
What was found during the search of the home is not clear.
In a statement earlier this month, a spokesperson for the LAPD said ‘several items of evidence’ were collected for analysis.
The teenager was reported missing from Lake Elsinore in May 2024, when she was just 13.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine how the teenager ended up in the trunk of the 20-year-old singer’s car
Her remains were found a day after what would’ve been her 15th birthday, though investigators said it appeared she’d been dead for some time.
Rivas’s family claims to have last seen her on May 4, 2024. Her brother, Matthew Rivas, claimed she left home to go see a movie with D4vd and never came back.
Numerous images have since emerged on social media, purporting to show Rivas and D4vd together during the time she was reported missing.
The nature of D4vd’s relationship with Rivas is currently being scrutinized by investigators.
Police and the girl’s family confirmed Rivas had ‘Shhh…’ tattooed in red ink on her right index finger – matching one D4vd has.
Internet sleuths have also unearthed an alleged unreleased song of D4vd’s, titled Celeste_Demo unfin.
Rivas was reported missing from her home in Lake Elsinore by her family in May 2024 when she was just 13
D4vd has not spoken publicly about Rivas’s remains being found in his car; He is pictured in June
The song’s authenticity has not been confirmed, but leakers claim it was recorded by D4vd in December 2023, and the lyrics explicitly reference a girl called Celeste.
Neama Rahmani, a former Department of Justice prosecutor, told the Daily Mail that the seeming evidence mounted against D4vd already is ‘staggering’ and he is shocked an arrest hasn’t already been made.
D4vd, meanwhile, has yet to publicly acknowledge the discovery of Rivas’s remains in his car.
His Tesla had been abandoned for days near Doheny Place and Bluebird Avenue, just blocks from the rental home where he’d been staying.
D4vdand his representatives have not returned multiple requests for comment.
The singer shot to fame on TikTok in 2022 and made his late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel’s show in November 2023, aged 18.
His rapid rise culminated in national television appearances, a coveted slot at Coachella, and tours alongside singer SZA.
D4vd, who received a $3 million record advance at jusy 17, had been on a tour promoting his debut album, ‘Withered’, when Celeste’s body was found.
The rest of the schedule – including dates in Europe, the UK, and Australia – have been suspended indefinitely.
