Last week, authorities found a decaying and dismembered body in the trunk of a car registered to 20-year-old singer D4vd. The body was later identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, who went missing more than a year ago.
Now, as authorities search for answers in her death, the family has broken its silence on the 15-year-old’s tragic death, stating that they are “heartbroken and devastated” at the news.
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 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 15-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 after new information surfaced.
- 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.
Celeste’s Family Issues a Statement
As authorities continue their investigation, the family of Celeste Rivas has stayed largely out of the public eye aside from a conversation with TMZ in which the 15-year-old girl’s mother shared some details about her disappearance over a year ago.
On Wednesday, however, the family broke its silence, issuing a statement on her passing as part of a crowdfunding campaign to help cover her memorial costs.
“As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend,” the family wrote in a statement on the GoFundMe page. “Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. They are seeking help to lay her body to rest. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.”
According to the GoFundMe page, Rivas’ funeral is scheduled for Oct. 5, and the campaign has raised just over half of its $20,000 goal.
Authorities Continue Investigation
Though D4vd initially decided to continue his world tour despite the news, the artist decided to cancel his Seattle performance on Wednesday after the remains were identified. TMZ reports that D4vd is believed to have flown back to Los Angeles.
A representative for D4vd declined a request for comment from TMZ, telling the outlet that they do not want to interfere with the ongoing police investigation. D4vd’s representatives have said throughout the investigation that the artist was fully cooperating with authorities.
On Wednesday night, police raided a Hollywood home that is connected to D4vd.
Authorities have not publicly listed a suspect or a person of interest in the case, and no arrests have been made as of early Friday morning.
