LAPD Refutes TMZ’s ‘False’ Reporting on D4vd and Celeste Case

LAPD Refutes “Misinformation” in Teen Death Investigation Linked to Singer’s Vehicle

The Los Angeles Police Department has issued an unusual public statement challenging what it describes as “misinformation” and “false claims” in media reports about the investigation into the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The teenager’s body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to recording artist D4vd.

In a statement released Tuesday, the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division directly contested several details published by TMZ over the weekend, asserting that recent coverage “contained inaccuracies.” The department also defended its controversial decision to place the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s case file under temporary seal, insisting this measure was implemented to ensure investigators receive critical information before it becomes public rather than to limit transparency.

“The body of Celeste Rivas was not frozen when it was discovered on September 8, 2025,” the LAPD stated explicitly, contradicting TMZ’s reporting from unnamed sources that claimed the teen’s body had been “partially frozen” upon discovery. The department also refuted allegations that Rivas had been decapitated.

The case has created tension between law enforcement and the county’s medical authorities. On Monday, the Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner criticized the LAPD’s security hold on the case, emphasizing his commitment to “full transparency.” Shortly after, TMZ reported that a source “connected to the Medical Examiner” maintained that the body was indeed partially frozen, directly challenging the police department’s statement.

Adding to the confusion, TMZ highlighted an internal document noting Celeste was not fingerprinted because her fingers were “waterlogged,” raising questions about the condition of the body. Neither the LAPD nor the Medical Examiner has publicly addressed this apparent discrepancy.

The police did confirm one detail that has circulated in media reports: D4vd, whose real name has not been mentioned in official communications, traveled to the Santa Barbara area earlier this year. TMZ has suggested the singer visited a remote location for several hours, possibly accompanied by another person. Police have declined to provide specifics, stating only that the trip remains under investigation and its relevance to the case is still unclear.

No arrests have been made in connection with Rivas’s death. The LAPD has repeatedly emphasized that until the Medical Examiner determines the official cause of death, “it remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body.”

This public dispute over case details comes amid what the LAPD acknowledged as longstanding tension between their department and the Medical Examiner’s Office, a dynamic TMZ has previously reported on. The conflicting statements from authorities have complicated public understanding of the investigation’s progress.

D4vd, an emerging music artist who gained popularity through streaming platforms, has not commented publicly on the situation. However, his manager previously stated that the singer is cooperating with police investigators.

The case has attracted significant public attention, particularly on social media, where speculation has flourished in the absence of official information. The LAPD’s unusual step to issue a corrective statement highlights the challenges authorities face in maintaining investigative integrity while managing public interest in high-profile cases.

As the investigation continues, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding Rivas’s death, how she came to be in the vehicle registered to D4vd, and what evidence might link the singer to the case beyond vehicle ownership. The Medical Examiner’s final determination of cause and manner of death will likely be pivotal in determining the future direction of the investigation.