In September 2025, a chilling revelation shocked the music world: the decomposed remains of a 15‑year‑old girl named Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the trunk (front “frunk”) of a Tesla registered to singer D4VD (real name David Anthony Burke).

Immediately, suspicion, rumors, and theories erupted: Was D4VD responsible? Was there a relationship? And—perhaps most controversially—did D4VD himself or his team attempt to shift the spotlight onto Celeste’s family, launching a smear campaign to dig into her past? Meanwhile, an unexpected link has surfaced: D4VD once livestreamed with hitmaker Benny Blanco from a house later searched by police.

This article attempts to sift through what is known, what is alleged, and what remains unclear as the investigation continues.

The Discovery & Immediate Fallout

On September 8, 2025, authorities in Los Angeles discovered the body of a young girl in a Tesla impounded at a Hollywood tow yard. The vehicle, tied to D4VD, gave rise to a homicide investigation.

Days later, the victim was identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing since April 2024.

Police executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills residence associated with D4VD’s team. Electronics, computers, and other items were seized for forensic analysis.

D4VD has publicly denied being named a suspect, stating that he is cooperating with authorities while maintaining that many circulating claims are false or misleading.

In response to mounting scrutiny and media pressure, D4VD’s side has reportedly challenged the credibility of Celeste’s family narrative and alleged that details about her past are being dredged up to influence public perception.

The Alleged Smear Campaign: What D4VD Claimed & What Has Surfaced

Accusations Against the Family

Some accounts suggest that D4VD or people close to him have sought to blame Celeste’s family—portraying them as neglectful, secretive, or withholding key facts that would “exonerate” him. While direct public statements from D4VD about a smear campaign are scarce, various social media theories, commentary, and leak rumors describe attempts to reveal past incidents in Celeste’s life: prior runaways, social media posts, personal struggles. These narratives could function as deflection from D4VD’s own links to the victim.

In support of this, media sources have reported that Celeste’s family members have denied knowing D4VD or having any relationship with him prior to her disappearance.

Her sister, reopening a social media account, claimed:

We also didn’t know who David was.”

She also defended the legitimacy of a GoFundMe campaign launched in Celeste’s name, rejecting accusations of exploiting tragedy.

These denials, while strongly worded, leave open questions about whether family knowledge was incomplete or whether D4VD’s team exaggerated or misrepresented elements of Celeste’s background.

Public Claims of Past Controversies

Across social media and gossip outlets, fragments of claims are circulating:

Celeste reportedly had multiple missing persons reports or incidents of running away before her final disappearance.

Some posts allege she used fake IDs or tried to associate with nightlife circles beyond her age.

Others point to resurfaced TikTok or Discord chats, supposedly showing Celeste contacting D4VD years earlier, often in ambiguous or cryptic ways.

Yet: none of these claims have been substantiated via public records or law enforcement confirmation. The timing and nature of these posts raise suspicion that certain narratives are being seeded to shift attention.

Motivations: Why a Smear?

If a smear campaign is indeed underway, possible motivations include:

Character Assassination → DeflectionBy exposing or insinuating faults in Celeste’s family, D4VD’s camp might hope to reduce sympathy or create ambiguity—making it harder for public opinion to lean fully against him.

Narrative ControlIn a media storm, being proactive in shaping the storyline (versus reacting to allegations) is often a tactic. Revealing disruptive or controversial elements about the victim or family can muddy the waters.

Strategic Delay / Reputation BufferBy pushing scandalous or personal claims early, teams sometimes hope to blunt investigations or delay discovery of incriminating evidence, especially if they anticipate forensic findings may eventually implicate parties.

However plausible, these motives rest on the assumption there is something to hide. Until independent validation emerges, such strategies remain speculative.

The Strange Link to Benny Blanco

One of the more eyebrow-raising threads is the connection between D4VD and producer Benny Blanco:

Reports indicate that D4VD and Benny Blanco co-hosted a livestream from a residence that would later become a focus of police searches.

The property in question was reportedly rented by D4VD’s manager (Josh Marshall). The manager allowed D4VD access and apparently allowed social media gatherings.

That live session included both artists, ostensibly as friends or collaborators.

While hosting a livestream with a well-known producer does not in itself imply complicity, the fact that the same house was later searched by police raises questions:

What was discussed or recorded in those livestreams?

What digital artifacts (video files, chat logs, recordings) might remain on devices in that location?

Was the livestream randomly placed at that property, or was it intentionally used as a surface for communication, collaboration, or even cover?

 
Notably, no evidence at present links Benny Blanco directly to the Celeste case. But the overlap of association and shared space invites inquiry: how much did industry acquaintances know? Did any material from that livestream become relevant to investigators?

Key Corroborating (or Distracting) Clues

To understand the possible truth, we must weigh the existing connections and anomalies:

Leaked Song & Tattoo Similarities

In December 2023, a demo track titled “Celeste_Demo unfin” leaked online, in which the name “Celeste” is repeatedly invoked. The lyrics include romantic obsession, tattoos, and longing.

After Celeste’s body was identified, many pointed to this as a signal that D4VD and Celeste had known each other before her disappearance.

Additionally, both Celeste and D4VD are reported to have matching tattoos on their right index fingers reading Shhh…”

This striking coincidence has fueled speculation of deeper connection than public statements admit.

Proximity, Travel & Imagery

Photographs suggest D4VD was inLake Elsinore, California, not far from Celeste’s home, in the months before she went missing.

Friends of both individuals allegedly described moments where Celeste emulated D4VD’s style or mirrored his social behavior.

Neighbors of D4VD’s rental stated that while the pair kept a low profile, they were often present together at the property.

All of this paints a picture of frequent contact and overlapping social space prior to the tragic discovery.

Weaknesses, Unknowns & Need for Caution

While media and public scrutiny has drawn a colorful narrative, many claims remain unverified or contradictory.

No official charges or named suspects: As of now, D4VD has not been formally arrested or charged in relation to Celeste’s death.

Family denial vs. knowledge gap: Celeste’s sister insists they never knew D4VD. That could be true literally, or true publicly while disclosures were withheld.

 

Leaked song is circumstantial: The song “Celeste_Demo unfin” is evocative—but it does not conclusively connect to Celeste Rivas Hernandez, though the name match is compelling.

Tattoo coincidence or red herring: Matching tattoos could be symbolic, coincidental, or stylized; they do not alone prove personal relationship.

Smear campaign claims lack documented evidence: Allegations that D4VD’s team leaked personal family history are circulating — but we lack direct proof, such as statements, internal memos, or legal filings showing intentional defamation.

The Benny Blanco link is suggestive, not definitive: Co‑hosting a livestream at a property later searched is an odd detail but not sufficient to link him legally or morally to the underlying case.

Given the gravity of the allegations, it is essential to withhold definitive judgments until forensic analysis, law enforcement disclosures, and court documents emerge.

What to Watch: Next Developments to Monitor

Autopsy and toxicology reports
These may reveal cause of death, time frame, substances, or trauma—key evidence in narrowing the timeline and verifying or falsifying narratives.

Digital forensic seizures
Computers, phone data, social media logs from searched properties (including the one used for the livestream) could yield communications, deleted messages, or location metadata linking D4VD and Celeste.

Family’s legal response or countersIf Celeste’s family independently files defamation claims or issues demands for transparency, it may force internal disclosures from D4VD’s side.

Livestream or content logs involving Benny BlancoIf logs or backup archives exist for that livestream, investigators or media might comb them for incriminating remarks, unexpected references, or participants.

New witness testimonyFriends, neighbors, or people who interacted with Celeste or D4VD may come forward, especially under subpoena or press attention, to confirm or contradict social media versions.

Official statements or indictmentsOnce authorities name persons of interest, arrest, or charge, the story’s public narrative will shift—and many rumors may be validated or dismissed.