Vigil in California Demands Justice in D4vd Case Involving Dismembered Teen

A candlelight vigil in Lake Elsinore, California drew mourners Sunday evening as they demanded answers and accountability in the case surrounding Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the 13 year old who vanished last year and whose remains were later discovered in a Tesla registered to the rapper known as D4vd. The gathering began around 7 pm local time on a quiet street near the home where Celeste grew up, with dozens of candles lit and signs placed along the curb. A banner reading Justice for Celeste Rivas stood among the mementos, while friends and family spoke in hushed tones about their grief and their hope for clarity from authorities. The scene reflected a community grappling with what officials have described as a developing investigation, with residents and those who knew Celeste leaving flowers, photos and handwritten notes at a growing makeshift memorial that lines the street she once called home.

According to investigators and a medical examiner filing, Celeste Rivas Hernandez died on September 8, 2024, the day after what would have been her 15th birthday. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the date of death and noted that the manner of death remains deferred pending further investigation. Celeste was just 13 at the time of her disappearance in 2024, and her family has publicly pressed for answers about what happened to her. At the time of her disappearance, Celeste was described in a missing poster as weighing about 120 pounds with dark brown hair and eyes, last seen wearing gray pants, a black sweater, a hat and Hello Kitty sandals. The vigil and ongoing inquiry come as investigators continue to piece together what happened in a case that has drawn national attention.

The remains of Celeste were discovered earlier this month in an impounded Tesla under the ownership of D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke. Police have not announced formal charges against him in connection with her death, and authorities say the investigation remains active as they collect and examine evidence. A series of police actions has kept the case in the public eye, including a Wednesday raid on the singer s home in which investigators removed bags of evidence and a computer as part of a broader search for physical traces. TMZ reported the scene, citing law enforcement sources, and added that investigators were seeking blood evidence related to the inquiry. D4vd has canceled the remainder of his United States tour amid the probe, though public officials have underscored that no formal charging decision had been made at the time of this writing.

In the weeks ahead of these developments, other material from the case has surfaced online. An intimate photograph circulated by local media outlets showed D4vd in a green booth with a then 13 year old Celeste at a venue, a moment that fans described as a snapshot from a different era of the performer and the teenager. The image surfaced as investigators left the scene with multiple bags of evidence and a computer, according to TMZ, which cautioned that the image did not imply wrongdoing but rather reflected connections that are now under scrutiny as part of the broader investigation. In addition, a January 2024 livestream surfaced online showing the two together, and a separate TikTok clip reposted by a content creator circulated with comments about Celeste that prompted strong reactions from viewers. A viral track titled Celeste_Demo unfin, released by the artist in late 2023 and heard by fans who have reviewed the lyrics, contains lines that appear to reference a woman named Celeste and a romantic dynamic later described by some listeners as unsettling. The song however does not establish a definitive link to the victim and it was not immediately clear whether the artist was describing Celeste Rivas Hernandez specifically.

Family members have acknowledged Celeste matched the description circulated by authorities when she disappeared last year. Celeste s mother told reporters that she believed her daughter matched the description in circulation and that Celeste had a boyfriend named David who friends say would have been aware of the family s concerns. Local officials have urged the public to respect the ongoing investigation and avoid speculation while investigators continue to assemble a timeline and gather evidence. In recent weeks, questions surrounding the relationship between Celeste and D4vd have drawn intense scrutiny from fans and observers, as social media discussions persist about potential connections that investigators must evaluate thoroughly. The case has drawn attention beyond Lake Elsinore, reflecting broader concerns about how young people can become entangled in sensational cases involving celebrities, social media and the criminal justice system. The community vows not to let Celeste s memory fade as investigators work to clarify the circumstances surrounding her death and the role, if any, that the Tesla and its owner may have played. Authorities say that more information will be released as it becomes available and that updates will be provided by the Los Angeles County coroner s office and the Lake Elsinore Police Department as appropriate.