Celeste Rivas Hernandez: Dismemberment Confirmed In d4vd Case

The investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez finally seems to be moving toward a trial. For months now, the girl found in the frunk of David Anthony Burke, AKA d4vd’s Tesla faced a “security hold” on official information. However, the fallout from the California grand jury subpoena confirmed details of dismemberment that law enforcement previously denied.

The Frozen Theory

In 2025, plenty of theories arose about the case of the missing girl. One of them suggested she’d been frozen before disposal. However, that theory ended up dismissed by law enforcement.

In fact, in November 2025, LAPD Captain Scot Williams directly refuted the claims. At the time, he told People Magazine, “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.”

While that might have made sense regarding the frozen theory, it seems odd that he denied the decapitation of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Not to mention later denials of dismemberment.

New Evidence Arrives 

According to the sworn statements in recently unsealed subpoenas, when the Tesla was finally searched at a tow yard on September 8, detectives found a scene of advanced decomposition.

Remember, workers at a car impound lot described a “strong smell of decay” coming from the vehicle. That is known, but was her body complete or in pieces?

The Reality Of The Frunk

Recent news that arrived via multiple outlets, including BBC Sounds on YouTube, revealed that Celeste wasn’t intact. Notably, court documents confirmed that she was in fact, dismembered.

Apparently, it’s confirmed that when detectives opened the front storage compartment, they found a “black cadaver bag covered with insects.” Upon partially unzipping it, they found a “decomposed head and torso.”

Later, after removing the grisly bag, they discovered a second black bag underneath, which contained the victim’s severed arms and legs. It’s not clear why that denial arrived last year. Perhaps it was withheld to aid the investigation, and potential witness tips.

Why The New Development?

The documents got out to the public because d4vd’s mom, dad, and brother unsuccessfully fought subpoenas to testify before a Los Angeles grand jury. In the filings, now, David’s been named as a “target” who “may be involved in having committed… One count of Murder.”

While his reps initially said he fully cooperated, law enforcement sources later told People that he hadn’t been all that helpful, after all.

The Burn Cage Theory

Adding to the seriousness of the case, a private investigator previously talked about finding a chainsaw and a “burn cage” incinerator at a Hollywood Hills rental property.

The theory arrived that perhaps they were intended for final disposal of Celeste, but the Tesla being towed to the lot might have intervened. Notably, there’s a good chance the grand jury knows about that.

A Target Now In Sight

With the transition from “person of interest” to “grand jury target,” the investigation enters a more serious phase. In time, the grand jury might determine probable cause and issue an indictment.

Those who followed the true crime case, amid distraction by the Nancy Guthrie case, also heard that d4vd’s friend, streamer Neo Langston, ended up arrested after he failed to appear before the grand jury. Naturally, that makes true crime watchers go, “Hmmm.”

Certainly, the new update makes the previously confused subject of the state of Celeste Rivas Hernandez a bit clearer. However, there’s always a possibility that  the LAPD halted the speculation so they could build their murder case against a target, who seems to be d4vd.

Viewers React

In the comments section of the update, one frustrated veiwer said, “Stop stop all this talk … D4vd knows what happened for God Sake. he is weird.” And that reflected the general belief by armchair experts that it’s a cut and dried case.

Other responses from the discussion included: 

• Stop !!!! all contents of his songs are the reality come on.
• The LAPD has a history of siding with show business instead of working class minors.
• Come on it’s in his car who put her there ??????
• My heart breaks for celeste everyday.

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