The death investigation surrounding 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has taken a new turn as the owner of a Hollywood Hills mansion connected to the case hires a private investigator. The decision comes weeks after Rivas Hernandez’s decomposed body was found on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to TikTok star and singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke.
The development signals growing frustration over what many see as a stalled investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Despite an early flurry of activity — including a raid on the $4.1 million property where D4vd had been living — no suspects have been named, no arrests have been made, and no cause of death has been disclosed.
Private Investigator Joins D4vd Case After Teen’s Body Found
Homeowner Malden Trifunovic confirmed to Los Angeles magazine that he has hired a private investigator to pursue unanswered questions in the high-profile case. “We’ve hired a PI because our home was placed at the center of a serious investigation when it shouldn’t have been, and we want clear answers for our family,” Trifunovic said.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was just 13 when she was first reported missing from her Lake Elsinore home in February 2024. Her remains were discovered more than a year later inside the trunk of a Tesla impounded by authorities. The car is registered to D4vd, who had been renting the Hollywood Hills property since February 2025 through his manager, Josh Marshall, for $20,000 a month.
On September 17, LAPD homicide detectives raided the mansion, collecting what officials described as “several items of evidence.” However, investigators have released no further details, leaving the public — and those connected to the property — in the dark. Trifunovic says he was unaware the singer had even been living in the home until after the discovery and only learned about it through news coverage.
Steve Fischer, a private investigator, confirmed that he is conducting an independent probe but declined to identify who hired him. He also did not elaborate on any evidence being examined. Trifunovic hinted that surveillance footage might be part of the PI’s review but stressed the importance of respecting the LAPD’s ongoing work and the memory of the victim.
Silence From Authorities Fuels Speculation and Concern
As weeks pass with no official updates, frustration continues to mount. The LAPD has not revealed whether Rivas Hernandez’s cause of death has been determined, nor have they named any persons of interest. The lack of transparency has sparked public speculation, especially given the involvement of a well-known social media figure like D4vd.
The singer’s current whereabouts are unknown, and his high-profile legal team has not issued any public statements. For now, the investigation appears to be at a standstill, leaving more questions than answers for the victim’s family and the property owner at the center of the case.
Hiring a private investigator signals a new phase in the search for answers. Whether this independent probe will uncover new evidence or pressure authorities into action remains to be seen, but it underscores the growing demand for clarity and justice in a case that has deeply unsettled the Los Angeles community.
The D4vd case continues to evolve, and the involvement of a private investigator could mark a turning point in uncovering how Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s tragic death unfolded — and who, if anyone, will be held responsible.
FYI (keeping you in the loop)-
Q1: Who was Celeste Rivas Hernandez?
Celeste Rivas Hernandez was a 14-year-old girl whose remains were found in a Tesla linked to singer D4vd. She had been missing since February 2024.
Q2: Why did the mansion owner hire a private investigator?
Homeowner Malden Trifunovic says his property was unfairly placed at the center of a homicide investigation, prompting him to seek independent answers.
Q3: What is D4vd’s connection to the case?
The Tesla where the teen’s body was found is registered to D4vd, who had been living in the Hollywood Hills property since February 2025.
Q4: Has the LAPD made any arrests?
No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The cause of death also remains undisclosed.
Q5: What happens next in the investigation?
The private investigator’s findings could shed new light on the case or pressure authorities to release more details as public scrutiny intensifies.
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