In a shocking turn of events that has rattled the Los Angeles community, the popular singer known as D4vd has been formally charged with the murder of 27‑year‑old Celeste Rivas. Prosecutors claim that the victim was killed on April 23, 2025, and that her body was subsequently mutilated on May 5, 2025. The case has drawn intense media scrutiny, raising questions about the motive, the method, and the alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
The Alleged Crime: From Murder to Mutilation
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, Celeste Rivas was last seen at D4vd’s Hollywood Hills residence in late April. The victim’s body was discovered in a Tesla Model S that had been parked in a remote area of Santa Barbara. Investigators found the remains wrapped in two plastic bags, which complicated the medical examiner’s ability to determine the exact cause of death. The official determination, released Monday, lists homicide as the manner of death and cites a “sharp instrument” as the likely weapon.
What makes the case particularly disturbing is the timeline. Prosecutors argue that the murder took place on April 23, while the body was mutilated more than a week later, on May 5. The gap between the two dates suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal the crime. The fact that the body was stored in a Tesla for approximately four months before discovery has added another layer of intrigue to the investigation.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
D4vd was arrested on Thursday in a high‑profile operation that involved a large police presence. He now faces a battery of serious charges, including first‑degree murder with special circumstances, mutilation of a body, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. The special circumstances listed by the District Attorney’s office are:
- Lying in wait for the victim.
- Committing the crime for financial gain.
- Murdering a witness to the investigation.
In addition to the murder charges, the indictment details an alleged sexual relationship between D4vd and a minor. Prosecutors allege that the singer engaged in sexual activities with a 13‑year‑old from September 7, 2023, until September 7, 2024, the day the minor turned 14. While the District Attorney’s office does not claim the sexual activity ended in September 2024, the period is relevant to the charge of having sex with a child under the age of 14.
Investigative Findings and Evidence
Police Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed that evidence points to a sexual relationship between D4vd and Celeste Rivas. The District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, stated that Rivas had threatened to expose the relationship, prompting the singer to kill her to protect his career. The investigation also uncovered that the body was kept in a Tesla for four months, a fact that prosecutors argue demonstrates a calculated effort to hide the crime.
Medical examiners faced significant challenges in determining the cause of death due to the state of the body. The remains were found in two bags, and the body had been decomposing, which made it difficult to ascertain the exact manner in which Rivas was killed. The official statement, however, confirms that a sharp instrument was used, aligning with the prosecutor’s narrative.
InfluencerBlogger
