D4VD Case Deepens: Teen's Death Linked to Pop Star as Security Guards Guard Hollywood Hills Mansion

Los Angeles — Police investigations into the death of a Lake Elsinore teenager intensified this week as investigators work to determine how Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s dismembered remains ended up in the front trunk of a Tesla tied to pop musician D4vd. The case has drawn fresh attention after two masked men were photographed outside a Hollywood Hills rental home that was vacated by the singer in the days prior to a property removal, as movers gathered belongings from the $4.1 million residence.

The two men, seen pacing outside the home with their faces concealed by ski masks and wearing glasses, appeared to be guarding the property as crews loaded boxes and furniture onto a truck. It was unclear whether the guards were employed by the moving company Roadway Moving or by a private security firm hired independently. Roadway Moving and representatives for D4vd had not responded to requests for comment by press time. The homeowner, Mladen Trifunovic, told the Daily Mail the neighborhood is under constant security watch but said he did not know Burke, who uses the stage name D4vd, was living there until recently.

The Hollywood Hills rental had been leased in February 2024 for about $20,000 a month under Burke’s manager’s name, a detail confirmed by property records and corroborated by neighbors. The removal comes after LAPD’s Homicide Unit raided the home in connection with the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s remains in Burke’s Tesla after authorities were alerted to a foul odor emanating from the vehicle at a Hollywood tow yard. Investigators recovered the body at the impound lot on a date that has not been publicly disclosed, and the department has said only that several items of evidence were collected during the search.

[IMAGE: Two masked men outside D4VD's Hollywood Hills home]( )

As the investigation unfolds, police have stressed that no arrests have been made and no suspects have been named publicly. A spokesperson for the LAPD reiterated that there are no updates to share, though the inquiry remains active and ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed whether Burke is cooperating with investigators, and Burke’s team has not publicly commented since the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’s remains.

The case has already prompted significant public scrutiny of Burke’s relationship with Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing from Lake Elsinore in May 2024, at age 13. Burke rose to prominence on TikTok in 2022 and made a debut on a late-night program later that year. His world tour, which had been ongoing in the United States, was canceled amid the investigation, and he has retained legal counsel without issuing a public statement.

According to family statements and multiple reports, Rivas Hernandez’s family says she was last seen on May 4, 2024, after leaving home to see a movie with Burke and never returning. Two people familiar with the case told the Daily Mail that Burke and Rivas Hernandez may have been in an ongoing relationship when she was a minor, with one source alleging the contact began through online platforms, including gaming and social media, when she was as young as 11 or 12. Burke’s team has not publicly confirmed any relationship, and investigators have not established a verified timeline of events, including when Rivas Hernandez died.

The Daily Mail and other outlets have reported additional lines of inquiry, including the discovery of items in Burke’s social media footprint and the appearance of a red tattoo reading “Shhh…” on Rivas Hernandez’s right index finger—the same tattoo cited in some reports as matching a design Burke sports. Some social media posts have circulated purportedly showing Burke with Rivas Hernandez at events while she was reported missing, though verification of such images has been uneven. Investigators say they are examining digital correspondence, travel patterns, and contingencies that could explain how a missing teen ended up in his car.

Legal and security experts contacted by outlets familiar with the case have emphasized the complexity of such investigations, noting that initial evidence can evolve as more forensic analyses are completed. Neama Rahmani, a former prosecutor, described the situation as potentially involving multiple charges if a sexual relationship with a minor were established and corroborated by evidence. He cautioned that it is too soon to forecast outcomes, but he suggested authorities could move quickly if additional facts confirm alleged wrongdoing.

The investigation has left Burke’s team facing intense public scrutiny as audiences review archival footage and social media posts. Investigators are attempting to establish when and how Rivas Hernandez died and how the timeline aligns with her reported disappearance and subsequent discovery in Burke’s vehicle. They are also working to fill in gaps between her May 2024 disappearance and September 2025 discovery, including reviewing communications and movements that could illuminate the teenager’s last known whereabouts.

The emergency raids and ongoing probe have taken place alongside the removal of Burke’s belongings from the rental property and heightened security around the neighborhood. Neighbors noted the area’s security presence intensified in the wake of the investigation, contributing to a climate of uncertainty for residents and for the artist’s management team. The owner of the property described a quiet, routine neighborhood, but acknowledged that the ongoing case has drawn media attention and security resources.

While the legal process continues to unfold, Burke’s public presence—once defined by viral success on social platforms and cross-media performances—has shifted toward a matter of criminal investigation and forensic scrutiny. Authorities say more details will be released as evidence is collected, analyzed, and cross-referenced with witness statements and other records. For now, the case remains unresolved, with investigators underscoring that the inquiry is ongoing and that new information could alter the trajectory of the investigation at any time.