The captain of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has addressed rumours surrounding the body of teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was found in a car belonging to singer D4vd.
Celeste was 13 when she was reported missing for the first time, with a missing person flyer detailing that she was last seen on 5 April 2024.
The California-native's remains were found in the front boot of a Tesla, which was impounded at a Los Angeles tow yard on 8 September.
It was found that the car belonged to American artist D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke.
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Despite an LAPD source claiming to have direct knowledge of the investigation, claiming that D4vd was now a suspect in the case, these rumours were shut down by the captain of the department.
LAPD Captain Scot M. Williams, who is also the commanding officer of the Robbery-Homicide Division, stated in September that they were yet to 'determine a cause or manner of her death' when speaking about Celeste, claiming that 'we know for sure that Celeste Rivas Hernandez died and someone placed her body in the front trunk area of David Burke's Tesla'.
Addressing rumours around the teen's remains, Captain Williams told People that, despite previous reports, Hernandez was not found 'frozen and decapitated' in the boot of the Tesla.
Debunking the rumours, he clarified: “Celeste's body was not frozen; she was not decapitated. The whole frozen thing doesn't even make sense. Her body was in the car for weeks.
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"Even if she had been frozen solid when she was put in the car (which there is NO evidence to suggest she was), five or more weeks in the trunk of a car in sweltering heat in the middle of summer would not have resulted in a partially frozen body being discovered on September 8th.”
On Monday, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner revealed that, following a court order, a security hold would be placed on the case.
“No records or details associated with the case, including the cause and manner of death and Medical Examiner report, can be released or posted on the website until further notice,” the medical examiner told PEOPLE.
"The Department understands the public’s interest in this case and remains committed to transparency when possible. Information will be made available once the court order is lifted."
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Celeste was found just one day after her 15th birthday while D4vd was on tour.
D4vd's representative told NBC Los Angeles that he was 'fully cooperating' with authorities. Celeste's cause and manner of death remain unknown as investigations continue.
D4vd has not been charged with any crime.
Topics: Crime, Tesla, True Crime, US News, Celebrity
Joshua Nair