Crime House Daily: Night Watch

Episode: Celeste Rivas Hernandez Found in D4vd’s Car: What Really Happened?

Host: Katie Ring
Date: October 7, 2025

Overview

In this Night Watch episode, true crime analyst Katie Ring provides a comprehensive deep-dive into the disturbing and unfolding case of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old girl found dead, dismembered, and hidden in the trunk of an abandoned Tesla belonging to rising music star David Burke (D4vd). The episode explores the timeline of Celeste’s disappearance, internet speculation connecting her to David, investigative developments, and the unanswered questions that have ignited both public outrage and online sleuthing.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery and Identification of Celeste Rivas Hernandez

• Incident Timeline:

  • Sept 6, 2025: Tesla abandoned in Hollywood Hills, CA, is reported for towing. Described as oddly out of place, with Texas plates and a dent. ([08:50])
  • Sept 8: A foul odor at the impound yard leads to discovery of a dismembered body in the car’s trunk—later identified by a distinctive “Shhh” tattoo. ([09:30])
  • Sept 17: Official confirmation of identity as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a missing girl from Lake Elsinore, CA. ([11:05])

• Victim Profile:

  • Last seen at home April 5, 2024. Described as studious, hardworking, but with “trouble in her life.” Reported missing multiple times, first as early as Valentine's Day 2024.
  • Quote: “People who knew Celeste described her as studious, hardworking, and smart... there were also signs... there was trouble in her life.” – Katie Ring ([14:40])

2. Alleged Connection Between Celeste and David (D4vd)

• Social Media and Tattoo Clues:

  • Matching “Shhh” finger tattoos, a motif popularized but now under scrutiny due to their potential connection.
  • David purportedly posted photos and lyrics referencing “Celeste.”
  • Circulating videos and images showing a girl resembling Celeste in David’s online content, often with her face partially covered. ([06:10], [22:45])

• “Romantic Homicide” Imagery and Speculation:

  • Lyrics and music videos (e.g., “Romantic Homicide,” “Rehab”) feature themes of violence and bodies in trunks—parallels that have drawn intense online scrutiny.
  • Quote: “One of his songs is called Romantic Homicide, and in it he says, 'I killed her in my mind.'… there is a music video where he is drenched in blood, dragging the body and putting it in the trunk.” – Katie Ring ([05:30])

• Digital Interactions:

  • Alleged introduction between Celeste and David through Fortnite, later communicating via Discord.
  • Screenshots indicate Celeste present in David’s Discord server as early as October 2022, when she would have been about 12.
  • January 2024: A livestream confirms Celeste and David appearing together, with uncertainties among moderators about Celeste’s actual age at the time. ([27:50])

3. Investigation Updates and Unanswered Questions

• No Formal Charges Against David (as of episode date):

  • Police executed a search warrant on David’s residence, confiscated electronics, and sought blood evidence ([19:10]).
  • David cancels tour dates; his team claims full cooperation with authorities. Sponsors and album releases begin to distance themselves from the artist.
  • The car was never reported stolen, complicating the timeline of its abandonment ([35:55]).

• Cause of Death:

  • Medical examiner’s cause is officially deferred due to decomposition; toxicology reports and further investigations are pending, possibly for months.
  • Quote: “My thoughts on the delay are probably the state of her decomposition and also waiting on toxicology reports.” – Katie Ring ([37:20])

• Internet Sleuthing and Rumors:

  • Screenshots, song lyrics, comments, fan theories, and alleged payouts to keep secrets all circulate, none confirmed by law enforcement at time of recording.
  • Pregnancy rumors dismissed: “Police have announced that Celeste was not pregnant at the time of her death.” ([49:10])
  • A Hello Kitty motif links multiple aspects: Celeste’s sandals at disappearance, and a girl in Hello Kitty Crocs appearing on David’s social posts ([48:10]).

4. Personal and Community Impact

• Community Response:

  • Vigils held in Lake Elsinore with emotional remembrances; the family’s GoFundMe expresses their devastation ([42:50]):
    • Quote (Family Statement): “She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss.” ([43:10])

• David’s Career in Jeopardy:

  • Tour dates canceled, brand partnerships dropped, and a deluxe album release shelved.
  • Social media presence is heavily scrutinized; speculation continues to mount with every update.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Odd Parallels Between Art and Reality:

  • “There is a music video where he is drenched in blood, dragging the body and putting it in the trunk. And so now that all of this has surfaced… these images seem odd, particularly given what happened to someone that he was connected to.” – Katie Ring ([05:35])

• On the Lack of Arrests:

  • “It’s the question on almost everyone’s mind. How has he not been arrested yet?” – Katie Ring ([07:45])

• On the State of Evidence:

  • “These findings could be crucial to the investigation because it could help point to a murder weapon or discover if Celeste had been drugged or incapacitated.” – Katie Ring ([38:15])

Key Timestamps

• [05:15]: Speculation about David’s connection to Celeste and his song “Romantic Homicide.”
• [08:50]: Timeline of the Tesla's discovery.
• [09:30]: Details of how Celeste’s body was found and initial identification efforts.
• [14:40]: Celeste’s background and earlier missing persons reports.
• [19:10]: Police search of David’s residence and fallout.
• [22:45]: Review of online sleuthing linking David and Celeste via Discord and social media.
• [37:20]: Medical examiner’s difficulties determining cause of death.
• [42:50]: Lake Elsinore vigil and the family’s public statement.
• [48:10]: The Hello Kitty motif and online connections.
• [49:10]: Rumor about Celeste's alleged pregnancy clarified by police.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Katie closes by reminding listeners of the ongoing nature of this investigation. New evidence may still emerge—especially pending forensic and toxicology results. She pledges that Crime House Daily will continue monitoring developments:
“You stay curious and I’ll stay on the case. See you next time.” ([55:10])

Crime House Daily urges listeners to share theories, keep conversations respectful and stay tuned for updates on this deeply disturbing and still-unfolding case.