Investigation into Death of 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez Characterized as Murder Probe
A Los Angeles Police detective has described the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez as a “murder investigation” in court documents. The probe began after the girl’s body was found in the trunk of singer D4vd’s Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard on September 8. The detective, Joshua Byers, filed a declaration stating that releasing autopsy findings could jeopardize the investigation and compromise the identity of witnesses.
Autopsy Findings Sealed by Court Order
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge granted the LAPD’s request to seal the medical examiner’s findings, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation. The declaration, supporting documents, and court order have been sealed and will be maintained in a secure location until further notice. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirmed that it has received a court order to place a security hold on the case, barring the release of details associated with the case, including the cause and manner of death.
The medical examiner’s office stated that it is committed to transparency but is precluded from releasing information due to the court order. Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo expressed concerns about the practice of placing security holds on medical examiner cases, stating that it is “virtually unheard of in other counties and has not been proven to improve outcomes in the legal system.”
Investigation into Celeste’s Death Ongoing
The LAPD has been investigating Celeste’s death since her body was found, and detectives have been working to determine the circumstances surrounding her death. The girl’s remains were found inside a black bag in the trunk of D4vd’s Tesla, which had been abandoned on a street in the Hollywood Hills for weeks. Celeste had run away from her home in Lake Elsinore several times in 2024, and her family had reported her missing on multiple occasions.
Investigators believe that more than one person may have been involved in an effort to dispose of Celeste’s body, and detectives have searched the Hollywood Hills home where D4vd lived, removing electronic evidence and other items from the residence. The LAPD has stated that no official suspect has been named, but the investigation is ongoing, and “accountability is coming.”
Celeste’s death has sparked an outpouring of concern and outrage, with many calling for justice and transparency in the investigation. The case has also raised questions about the practice of placing security holds on medical examiner cases and the need for transparency in investigations involving high-profile individuals.
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