Singer D4vd Considered a Suspect in Connection With the Death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Teen Found Dead in His Tesla

The 22-year-old singer's role in an ongoing investigation has shifted following the death of a teenage girl. Authorities say he has not cooperated with detectives.

David Burke, known as d4vd, is now considered a suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The update follows the release of her death certificate, repeated police visits to her home, previously released surveillance footage, and a fundraising appeal from her family.

Investigation Ongoing as Singer Refuses to Cooperate

Authorities say no arrests have been made, but confirmed the investigation remains active. According to ABC News on November 19, 2025, detectives have spoken with several individuals they believe may be connected to the case. They said they are "certain they are going down the right path for a suspect."

Sources directly familiar with the case said that d4vd has refused to cooperate with investigators at any point, despite his representatives making public statements suggesting otherwise.

Remains Found in Tesla as Police Expand Probe to Property and Tour Activity

On September 8, police responded to a Hollywood tow yard after reports of a foul odor emanating from a Tesla, reportedly registered under d4vd's name.

The car had been abandoned on a city street near Mansfield Avenue and Romaine Street for two days before being impounded. Inside the front trunk, officers found a bag containing human remains later identified as Rivas Hernandez.

A source from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said the body had been dismembered and was in an advanced state of decomposition, which has made determining the exact cause of death difficult. Investigators believe she was killed earlier in the year.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined a cause or manner of death. A death certificate obtained in early October listed the cause as "deferred," pending additional testing. It also stated that Rivas Hernandez had not been pregnant in the year before her death.

In the days after the discovery, detectives searched a Hollywood Hills property where d4vd had recently stayed. They removed multiple pieces of evidence, including a computer. Records showed the lease had been ended early.

On September 23, public records show that d4vd transferred ownership of his Cypress, Texas, home to his mother. This occurred less than a week after deputies responded to a false swatting call at that same address.

At the time Rivas Hernandez's body was found, d4vd was on tour, with a scheduled performance in Los Angeles on September 20. That show and the rest of the tour were canceled shortly afterward.

Records and Footage Trace Teen's Movements Before Her Death

As the investigation continued, ABC News obtained a call log showing Riverside County deputies responded to Rivas Hernandez's Lake Elsinore home multiple times between 2022 and 2025. The log shows numerous entries in 2024, many marked "FU," which stands for "follow-up," and were likely not calls for service.

The teen was last reported missing in April 2024, and her family last heard from her during a phone call in late May.

In late September, TMZ published surveillance footage obtained from a Nest security camera that appeared to show Rivas Hernandez alive on September 8, 2024.

The video showed a girl, believed to be the teen, confronting neighbors in Lake Elsinore over a prank involving their children. Neighbors reportedly recognized her from missing posters that circulated earlier that year.

Following the identification of the teen's remains at a tow yard, the Rivas Hernandez family launched a GoFundMe campaign on September 18 to help cover expenses and seek community support.

The fundraiser, created by Esmeralda Lozano, described her as "a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend," and added, "Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss."

As the investigation into Rivas Hernandez's death continues in the U.S., another case overseas has also drawn growing public attention.

Internet personality Hsieh Yu-hsin, widely known online as Iris Hsieh, was discovered dead in the bathroom of her hotel room in Kuala Lumpur on October 22, at the age of 31.

What began as a sudden and unexplained tragedy has now taken a darker turn, as authorities later reclassified the case as a murder investigation in light of emerging evidence.

Medical Findings Questioned by Family

Hsieh had arrived in Malaysia on October 20 for a four-day work-related trip. She was staying at the Banyan Tree Hotel on Jalan Conlay when she was found unresponsive in the bathroom of her suite.

On October 31, Mirror Media reported that Hsieh's manager, known as Chris, stated a Malaysian hospital had cited a heart attack as the preliminary cause of death, and said that "there was seemingly no possibility of emergency rescue."

Chris also shared that Hsieh's family had difficulty accepting the explanation and was considering a deeper probe. A private farewell ceremony was planned, along with a separate memorial among friends.

In the days leading up to her death, Hsieh appeared cheerful online — her final appearance was in a group video posted on Instagram on October 19. In the clip, she wore a yellow outfit, and she danced with her friends.

Case Upgraded to Homicide Investigation

On November 4, the New Straits Times reported that Kuala Lumpur police had formally reclassified the case as a murder investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code, following the emergence of new evidence suggesting foul play. Authorities also confirmed that further inquiries are actively underway.

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus explained that the case was initially handled as a sudden death report involving a foreign woman found in the hotel.

Marsus added that investigators would now examine Hsieh's entire stay in Malaysia, including security footage, hotel records, and transportation data. "It's a comprehensive investigation examining every movement of both the victim and the person last seen with her," he stated.

Authorities have already taken statements from hotel staff, security personnel, transport operators, and airport staff in the effort to reconstruct the timeline.

Malaysian Rapper Identified as Person of Interest

Namewee (real name Wee Meng Chee) was reportedly in the hotel room with Hsieh at the time of her death and has now been identified as a person of interest.

"For now, we regard this person who was last with the victim as being involved in the case," Marsus said. "We will be calling him in to assist in the investigation. Depending on the findings, we will decide whether he should be treated as a suspect."

Although Namewee has not been charged in relation to Hsieh's death, he is currently facing unrelated charges of drug use and possession. He is reportedly out on bail, which was set at RM4,000 for each charge, with his next court mention scheduled for December 18.

Public Response from Namewee

In two separate Instagram posts written in Traditional Chinese, Namewee publicly addressed the case, denied using or possessing drugs, and responded to widespread speculation surrounding the incident involving Hsieh.

In his November 2 Instagram post, he clarified that he neither used drugs nor owned any. He added, however, that he had simply been drinking a bit more than usual.

He explained his earlier silence by citing ongoing investigations and intimidation tactics directed at his team, adding, "We can't disclose details. These past few days, we've even encountered blackmail. If you want to keep playing games, we're ready to go all the way."

Namewee also criticized the emergency response, alleging delays, "The ambulance took nearly an hour to arrive. I honestly have no idea what the number 999 is even for — when we called, we were even scolded."

In a November 5 post, he said he had gone to the Kuala Lumpur police station to cooperate with the investigation. He said, "I'm not running away — for the previous seven warrants, I voluntarily turned myself in every time. I have never tried to flee."

Iris Hsieh's Life Before Social Media

In Taiwan, Hsieh rose to prominence as the "nursing major goddess," admired for her academic background and appearance. In a July 2025 Instagram post, she addressed lingering doubts about her professional background, confirming that she did, in fact, earn her nursing license and even ranked on the merit list.

She admitted that her early days in nursing school were far from disciplined, describing herself as someone who spent most of her time "falling in love, goofing off, and sleeping." Looking back, she found it amusing that she once felt proud simply for passing with minimum grades.

But the post wasn't just about academics — it was a candid reflection on love, memory, and the tendency to romanticize the past. A chance meeting with someone from her past made her realize how easily she forgets pain and heartbreak, often viewing former experiences and relationships through a softened lens.

She didn't claim to be perfect; she said she was "no saint" and had "lived through things." She also shared a powerful message about being present, "I came to understand that the best moment is never some dreamy future — it’s right now."

At the time, no suspects have been formally charged, and the cause of death remains undetermined. Marsus stated, "It is too early to reveal the cause of death. The post mortem and toxicology reports will give us clearer findings later." He called on the public to support the inquiry by coming forward and assisting in the investigation.