Authorities have identified the decomposed body discovered inside a Tesla registered to singer D4vd at a Los Angeles impound lot last week as that of a missing 15-year-old girl.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the remains belong to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore. Forensic testing was used to make the identification, according to NBC Los Angeles. Officials have not yet determined a cause of death.
“The LAPD does not have a crime classification from the coroner as to the mode or manner of death. Thus, we do not have any suspect information at this time,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Office initially described the case as a homicide, but later retracted the classification and clarified that the LAPD is leading the investigation.
The remains were discovered on Sept. 8 at Hollywood Tow after workers reported a foul odor coming from the vehicle, which had been impounded after being abandoned. Law enforcement sources told NBC News that the body was not intact and appeared to have been inside the car for an extended period of time.
According to the medical examiner, the teen was wearing a tube top, black leggings, stud earrings, and a yellow metal chain bracelet. She was described as weighing approximately 71 pounds and having wavy black hair.
The Tesla is registered to D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. A spokesperson for the artist said he was informed of the situation and is “fully cooperating with the authorities.” At the time of the discovery, the “Romantic Homicide” singer was performing on his Withered World Tour. He is scheduled to continue his performances, with a show planned for Wednesday in Seattle.
The LAPD continues to investigate while awaiting further information from the coroner regarding the cause and manner of death.
Source: NBC News
