Investigator Makes Blunt Statement on Status of D4vd, Celeste Murder Case

Over four months ago, the dismembered and decomposed body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas was found inside the trunk of a car registered to singer D4vd. Since then, there has been a lengthy investigation and plenty of speculation, but so far no arrests in the case.

Private investigator Steve Fischer, who was hired to look into the death by the owner of a Hollywood Hills home D4vd was renting, has spoken openly about the case on numerous occasions. Just a few days ago, Fischer publicly expressed his frustration with the investigation on social media.

What We Know So Far

• A decomposing body was found inside a Tesla belonging to musician D4vd at an impound lot in Hollywood on Sept. 8.
• The car was brought to the impound lot after “someone reported it abandoned” in Hollywood Hills, and police were called after workers “reported a strong odor” coming from the Tesla.
• The Tesla was never reported as stolen.
• The body was discovered inside a bag in the Tesla’s front trunk. The remains were not intact and had badly decomposed.
• The remains were so decomposed that it took authorities more than a week to identify the body.
• The remains were eventually identified as 14-year-old Celeste Rivas.
• D4vd has a matching tattoo with Rivas, and her mother said she has been missing for over a year and that her daughter’s boyfriend was named David.
• D4vd initially decided to continue his world tour while cooperating with the investigation, but he cancelled the remainder of his tour on Wednesday.
• An unreleased love song written by D4vd references someone by the name of “Celeste” in the unfinished title and twice in the lyrics.
• Police raided a home connected to D4vd as they continue the investigation.
• D4vd moved out of the home that the police raided.
• Authorities did not officially deem the death a homicide since medical examiners have been unable to determine an official cause of death, but a detective has referred to the case as “an investigation into murder” in a filing.
• A private investigator made a “disturbing” discovery inside the house, finding items he believes could be used to “get rid of a person.”
• Police have stood by their statement that it is “unclear” whether a crime was committed beyond the concealment of the body, which would lead to a rather light punishment.
• The medical examiner has stopped sharing records regarding Rivas’ death.
• D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was not considered a suspect for the first two months of the investigation, but he has now been named a suspect in the girl’s death.
• D4vd has hired a high-profile defense attorney.

'Can't even be called a case'

Fischer has made clear he thinks foul play is likely what caused Rivas' death, revealing "sadistic" and unnerving discoveries he allegedly discovered at the Hollywood Hills residence.

However, none of what he or police have found so far has led to any substantial movement in the case, which Fischer lamented in a blunt statement on X/Twitter last Thursday.

"Today is January 15, 2026, and still no one has been charged, or even officially named as a suspect, for harboring a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, filing a false police report, committing sex crimes against a minor, concealing a body, homicide, or acting as an accessory to any of these crimes in connection with the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. At this point, it can’t even be called a case," Fischer wrote.

Burn cage, chainsaw reportedly found

Last month, Fischer discussed the presence of “items you would expect to find on a farm rather than in a home in the Hollywood Hills," including an unused burn cage incinerator.

"To be very clear, this burn cage was not used. It was still new and in the box," Fischer wrote on X/Twitter. "However, given that Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains were ultimately found in the Tesla frunk, the presence of an incinerator at the same residence associated with that vehicle necessarily raises questions about intent. The Burn Cage was not taken during the search warrant and because it was not used it appears it’s not of importance to any possible criminal investigation. But we think it’s important context, even if not criminal. The burn cage and other related items were delivered to the residence under a false name, although the deliveries were accepted at the property."

Additionally, in an interview with Newsweek, Fischer mentioned a chainsaw that was also found on the property, which, while also unused, indicated to him that whatever plan Rivas' killer or killers had in store for her, they were unable to bring to completion.

"Whatever happened here, this was—it wasn't a finalized plan. She was not meant to be left in that Tesla," Fischer said. "The plan got upended."