D4vd and the Celeste Rivas case explained as a grand jury weighs charges

A grand jury is weighing a possible murder indictment against singer D4vd as investigators continue to examine the death of teenager Celeste Rivas, whose body was discovered last year inside a vehicle registered to the artist.

The development marks the latest stage in a case that has remained under investigation for months, with authorities yet to announce formal charges or determine the cause of death.

Who was Celeste Rivas?

Celeste Rivas was a California teenager who was reported missing in April 2024 at the age of 13. She was last seen in Lake Elsinore, around 70 miles south-east of Los Angeles.

In September 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that human remains found in the boot of a Tesla registered to D4vd belonged to Rivas. She was identified through dental records and would have been 15 at the time her body was recovered.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of her death.

How was the body discovered?

Police were called to a Hollywood tow yard on September 8, 2025, after reports of a foul odour coming from a vehicle. Officers found decomposing human remains inside the Tesla, which had reportedly been abandoned locally for several days before being towed.

Authorities have not disclosed where the car had been prior to being impounded, nor who arranged for it to be towed.

What is known about the investigation?

LAPD officials have said D4vd has cooperated with the investigation. He was not initially named as a suspect, but NBC News later reported that police formally identified him as a suspect in November 2025.

Investigators have stated that they are awaiting further findings from the medical examiner before classifying the death. Without a confirmed cause or manner of death, police have said it remains unclear whether criminal culpability extends beyond the concealment of a body.

Law enforcement has also confirmed that a property in Los Angeles where D4vd had been staying was searched in connection with the investigation. Authorities have not publicly detailed how the location relates to the case.

Why is a grand jury involved?

A grand jury has been convened to hear evidence presented by prosecutors and determine whether there is sufficient basis to bring charges. Grand jury proceedings take place behind closed doors, and the subject of the investigation does not present a defence.

According to reporting, the panel currently hearing testimony has the authority to issue indictments. Prosecutors are continuing to present witnesses, and the process may extend into early 2026.

What happens next?

D4vd has not been charged and no indictment has been issued. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities awaiting forensic conclusions and the outcome of the grand jury’s deliberations.

Until a charging decision is made, police and prosecutors have declined to comment further on the case.

Aasiya Niaz