Why is the d4vd investigation stalled? Singer faces renewed scrutiny amid ongoing probe into Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death

2025 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 2 - Day 1 - Source: Getty
2025 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 2 - Day 1 - Source: Getty

d4vd is facing intensifying scrutiny as police claim the alt-pop breakout star has refused to cooperate in the ongoing investigation into the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was discovered in his car in September.

Per an exclusive police insider's conversation with People, the Los Angeles Police Department stated that the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is "not cooperating," and hasn't cooperated with the authorities since the start of the investigation.

This is in contrast to d4vd's representative telling NBC Los Angeles that the singer was "fully cooperating" with the investigators.

Coperni: Front Row - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 - Source: Getty
Coperni: Front Row - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 - Source: Getty

The police have not spoken yet with the "Romantic Homicide" hitmaker, and there is still no clarity on what charges d4vd or any potential accomplices might ultimately face.

They added that the probing is ongoing, even though the crooner has been marked as a suspect in the teen girl's death.

As of writing, results from the toxicology report and cause of death are still in the pipeline; hence, no arrests or charges can be pursued unless the findings are complete.

The police insider told People that they are still working to determine when exactly Celeste Rivas Hernandez died, adding:

"Springtime is the closest we’ve come to determining the time of her death. Not before then."

Celeste Rivas Hernandez death: Singer d4vd identified as a suspect

While he hasn't been charged with any crime, d4vd has been named as a suspect in Celeste Rivas Hernandez's death on Nov. 18, two months after her deceased body was found in his car.

On Sept. 8, Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body was found inside the trunk of d4vd's expropriated Tesla after a foul odor was reported to the LAPD. The cadaver was discovered in the impounded car on the 1000 block of N. Mansfield Avenue before 12:30 p.m.

Per ABC 7's Eyewitness News, the vehicle had been at the lot for days, while the New York Post was notified by the police that the Tesla was initially abandoned in Hollywood Hills before it was towed to where it was discovered.

Eyewitness News also confirmed that the car is registered to the singer. When asked for a comment, the "Here With Me" singer's spokesperson told NBC Los Angeles:

"d4vd has been informed about what's happened. And, although he is still out on tour, he is fully cooperating with the authorities."

Rivas' identity was later determined by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office as the "juvenile who was reported missing from Lake Elsinore" in 2024. They said in a statement:

"The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating this incident as a homicide and will be the point of contact for any further details regarding this investigation."

At the time, Rivas' death was listed as Sept. 8, while her cause of death was marked "deferred," which means further probing.

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Edited by Gladys Altamarino