On September 8, 2025, Los Angeles police discovered a decomposing human body in a startling location — the front trunk (frunk) of an impounded Tesla registered to the 20-year-old singerD4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. Since then, the shocking case has gripped national headlines, but despite mounting public curiosity and speculation, law enforcement sources tell TMZ and other outlets that an arrest is not close, raising serious questions about the state and direction of the investigation.

This article unpacks what is currently known about the investigation, the obstacles police are facing, and why, even now, the possibility of charges remains uncertain.

The Tesla, the Discovery, and the Victim

The scene that launched this high-profile probe was chilling. The Tesla, registered to Burke, had been impounded in a Hollywood Hills tow yard after being cited for overstaying on a residential street. A strong odor alerted workers at the tow yard, prompting a police search. Inside the frunk of the car — not the typical trunk, but the front storage compartment unique to many Tesla models — officers found a black bag. Within it were heavily decomposed human remains.

Subsequent forensic analysis identified the body as Celeste Rivas Hernández, a 15-year-old runaway from Lake Elsinore, California, who had been missing since 2024. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has deferred ruling on the cause and manner of her death, citing the poor state of decomposition and the need for more tests, including toxicology.

What Authorities Have Said: No Arrest Forthcoming — Yet

Despite the grisly nature of the discovery, law enforcement has been cautious in its public statements. Multiple sources, including TMZ and video interviews, report that after speaking with the LAPD, an arrest was described as not imminent.” Harvey Levin, a journalist with TMZ, said that police told him they were “nowhere close” to making an arrest.

Why such restraint? According to legal analysts and law enforcement insiders, the key issue lies in probable cause. While there’s a compelling connection — the body was found in a car registered to Burke — that alone is circumstantial. For a strong case, officials need more than proximity; they need concrete forensic evidence that ties someone directly to Celeste’s death.

LAPD Captain Scot Williams reportedly stated that without a clear cause of death, investigators cannot definitively assert a homicide or name a suspect based solely on the concealment of a body. This view is echoed by legal experts: until the Medical Examiner provides clarity on how Celeste died — whether by trauma, overdose, or something else — there remains too much uncertainty.

Evidence So Far: Searches, Seizures, and Speculation

Investigators have not remained idle. According to reports, they executed a search warrant at a Hollywood Hills house once inhabited by Burke. During that search, they seized electronics — including computers — for forensic study. The move suggests that law enforcement is digging into Burke’s digital life for communication, location data, or other clues.

A private investigator, Steve Fischer, has publicly claimed that suspicious items were found at Burke’s former residence, including what he described as “farm tools” that “did not belong in the residence” and could conceivably be used as weapons. However, it’s not clear whether these tools are directly linked to Celeste’s death or why they were present.

At the same time, some social media and legal commentary have questioned whether the decomposition of Celeste’s body is too advanced for a thorough autopsy — raising the stakes for toxicology and chemical testing as critical to unraveling the case.

Why No Homicide Charge Yet? The Death “Deferred”

One of the most significant hold-ups for investigators is the lack of a confirmed cause of death. The Medical Examiner’s Office has listed the cause of death asdeferred,” meaning more evaluation is required. Because of this, the manner of death (such as accident, homicide, or suicide) remains undetermined.

Without a clear cause, prosecutors would struggle to press charges. If they charged someone prematurely — especially Burke — and then the medical examiner ruled that Celeste died of natural causes or an overdose, the case could collapse. Legal experts have emphasized that building a criminal case ononly circumstantial evidence would be risky.

In addition, the media has speculated that if the death were due to an overdose, there might still be a crime (for example, concealing the body), but that would be very different from murder or manslaughter.

Is D4vd (Burke) a Suspect? That’s Complicated.

In recent reporting, sources told ABC7 that Burke is considered a suspect in the investigation. According to these sources, investigators have spoken to multiple people who may be connected. Some law enforcement insiders believe they are “going down the right path for a suspect,” though nobody has yet been arrested.

Yet, in other statements, officials walk back firm allegations. According to Men’s Journal, authorities have emphasized that Burke is not yet officially a murder suspect, partly because the cause of death has not been determined — meaning they don’t have the basis to legally classify it as a homicide.

Reddit and other social media platforms reflect the public’s exasperation. Some users argue that law enforcement is building a case quietly and avoiding public missteps; others suggest the investigation may be hamstrung by a lack of physical evidence.

The Broader Stakes: Reputation, Cooperation, and Public Scrutiny

This investigation doesn’t just have legal implications — it’s also becoming a major reputational crisis for D4vd. The artist’s record label has reportedly halted promotion activities amid the swirling controversy. Burke, for his part, has publicly stated through his representatives that he is “fully cooperating” with investigators.

Still, some sources claim he hasnot been fully cooperative behind the scenes, a discrepancy that, if true, could complicate his defense or public standing. Meanwhile, his actions have drawn public attention — including the sudden cancellation of several tour dates following the discovery of Celeste’s body.

Challenges and Next Steps for the Investigation

Given the current state of play, several factors could drive what happens next — and whether charges will ever be filed:

Toxicology and Forensic Results: The results from toxicology tests are crucial. If they reveal signs of poisoning, drug overdose, or trauma, that could dramatically shift the investigation.

Digital Evidence: Investigators are combing through seized electronics, which could include messages, location data, or other digital clues that tie Burke (or someone else) to Celeste’s disappearance and death.

Witnesses: Law enforcement may still be seeking eyewitnesses, associates, or people who had contact with Celeste in her final months. Confirming her last known movements could help reconstruct a timeline.

Medical Examiner’s Report: Once the medical examiner finalizes a cause and manner of death, the case could move more definitively toward charges — or, alternately, toward a conclusion that no homicide occurred.

Legal Strategy: Authorities must decide whether to wait for indisputable forensic evidence or to build a case based on available circumstantial data. The latter is riskier but not unheard of if corroborating evidence is strong.

Why the “Not Close” Headline Matters

When law enforcement tells reporters that they are nowhere close to an arrest, it sends a message: the investigation is still in its early to mid-stages, despite the media frenzy and public speculation. For now, that seems to be accurate — authorities appear to be proceeding cautiously, prioritizing solid forensic grounding over sensationalism.

This cautious approach may frustrate the public, especially those demanding swift justice for Celeste. However, it also reflects a key principle of criminal law: the presumption of innocence. Without a clear, legally sound understanding of how Celeste died, prosecutors risk charging someone prematurely — a mistake that could backfire in court and undermine trust in the justice system.

In high-profile cases involving celebrities, this balance is even more delicate. Investigators must manage public optics, media pressure, and legal rigor all at once.

Conclusion

The case of Celeste Rivas Hernández — the 15-year-old whose remains were found in D4vd’s Tesla — is one of the most disturbing and complex celebrity investigations in recent memory. Despite the gruesome discovery and widespread speculation, law enforcement insiders say that an arrest is not close, as forensic and medical hurdles remain.

Without a definitive cause of death, prosecutors lack the concrete foundation to bring charges. Investigators continue to gather digital evidence and await critical lab results. Whether the case will culminate in a prosecution remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the road ahead is long, and fraught with legal and public relations obstacles.

For now, Celeste’s family, the public, and the music world wait — watching, hoping, and demanding answers. And though the silence from law enforcement might feel frustrating, it may also be a reflection of the painstaking, methodical process required to turn tragedy into justice.