When the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office confirmed late Sunday evening that aspecial grand jury had been convened in the case surrounding the death of 19-year-old college student Celeste Torres, the announcement sent a tremor through the city. The case has gripped Los Angeles for months, D4Vd—the last known person to see Celeste alive.

Now, LAPD sources say an arrest could come before the end of the week.”The Torres family and a vocal coalition of supporters are calling it a breakthrough after months of stalling, contradicting witness statements, and intense public pressure. But beneath the headlines lies a tangled web of celebrity influence, digital evidence, and questions about whether justice for Celeste was nearly derailed.

This is the story of how a case on the brink of going cold was brought back to life.

THE NIGHT CELeste DISAPPEARED

On the evening of May 14th, Celeste Torres attended a private release-listening event in downtown Los Angeles for D4Vd’s new EP. Multiple attendees confirmed that Celeste—an aspiring visual artist who had recently worked on a concept sketch for one of the artist’s music videos—spent part of the night speaking with him.

At 12:43 a.m., she was seen on camera exiting the venue through a side door with D4Vd and two members of his team.

By sunrise, Celeste had vanished.

Her roommate, concerned that Celeste never made it home, filed a missing-person report at 8:12 a.m. The next three days saw a citywide search effort, posters pinned across Downtown and Silver Lake, and a flurry of hashtags demanding answers.

On the fourth day, hikers discovered her body in a ravine near Griffith Park.

The medical examiner ruled the cause of death “undetermined,” but noted bruising consistent with restraint and a high level of sedatives in her system.

What should have triggered an immediate criminal investigation instead stalled in bureaucratic limbo.

THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION: MISSTEPS AND MIXED SIGNALS

Public frustration grew when the LAPD announced it had no reason to consider foul play.” According to internal case notes reviewed by this publication, detectives initially believed Celeste’s death might have been accidental or drug-related—a narrative contradicted by her toxicology report and testimonies from friends who insisted she was “terrified of drugs.”

Within days, social media erupted.

The hashtag #Justice4Celeste amassed millions of views. Fans and activists accused the LAPD of mishandling the investigation, suggesting celebrity influence might be shielding D4Vd and his circle.

A former LAPD detective, speaking anonymously, said:

The moment you get a celebrity involved, everything slows down. Requests require additional approvals. PR teams intervene. Suddenly you’re not just investigating a death—you’re navigating politics.”

Meanwhile, Celeste’s parents hired attorney Lorraine Esteban, known for her work on high-profile police accountability cases. Esteban publicly questioned the thoroughness of the investigation, pointing to a three-week delay before detectives obtained a warrant for the artist’s property.

THE EVIDENCE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

According to leaks from sources close to the DA’s office, three pieces of evidence forced prosecutors to revisit the case:

The Audio File

A 17-second audio clip recovered from Celeste’s phone—previously corrupted—was restored by a private digital forensics lab hired by her family. In the recording, a male voice believed to be D4Vd can be heard saying, Calm down. You’re not leaving like this.”The LAPD later confirmed they had never received the intact clip.

Vehicle GPS Data

GPS data from a black SUV owned by the artist’s management company placed the vehicle near Griffith Park at 2:18 a.m.—less than two hours after Celeste left the venue.The vehicle’s driver originally told investigators he “went home after the event.”

A new witness—a bartender from the venue—came forward in late October, stating that Celeste appeared “distressed, almost scared” shortly before leaving with the group.She kept checking over her shoulder,” the witness said in a sworn statement.She didn’t look like someone who wanted to go anywhere.”

This combination of digital evidence and testimony reopened the case and led directly to last week’s appointment of a grand jury.

INSIDE THE GRAND JURY ROOM

Grand juries operate in secrecy, but according to a source familiar with the proceedings, prosecutors spent the first two days presenting digital timelines, security footage, and reconstructed communications between Celeste and the artist’s inner circle.

A key component: messages from a private group chat among the artist’s team members. One message—sent just hours after Celeste was declared missing—reportedly reads, Delete everything from last night.”

Although grand juries do not determine guilt, they decide whether sufficient evidence exists to bring charges. The DA’s office is said to be pursuing potential charges of obstruction of justice, furnishing controlled substances, and involuntary manslaughter.

A law professor at USC, who reviewed publicly known details of the case, said:

If the evidence points to reckless behavior, concealment, or failure to seek medical help, involuntary manslaughter is squarely on the table.”

LAPD: “AN ARREST IS COMING.”

In a brief statement Monday morning, LAPD spokesperson Capt. Elisa Navarro confirmed that detectives are anticipating significant developments this week.” While she would not name the suspect, she acknowledged the intense public scrutiny:

We understand the community’s frustration. We are working closely with the DA’s office to ensure justice is served.”

When pressed on why the investigation slowed during the early months, Navarro cited “resource allocation issues” and “the need to verify conflicting reports.”

But behind closed doors, detectives are reportedly preparing for a potential high-profile arrest.

THE TORRES FAMILY: “WE WILL NOT LET HER BE SILENCED.”

Celeste’s parents, Marcos and Elena Torres, have spent seven months battling grief, bureaucracy, and public systems that seemed unwilling to move. At a vigil held last week at the base of Griffith Park, Elena spoke through tears:

They tried to bury the truth. But the truth has a way of rising. Celeste deserves a voice, and we will not let her be silenced.”

Hundreds attended, holding candles and signs reading Justice for Celeste”, Protect Young Women of Color,” andNo More Delays.”

Many critics say the case exposes systemic flaws in how law enforcement handles missing young women—particularly women of color—when powerful individuals are involved.

THE CELEBRITY FACTOR

D4Vd’s meteoric rise in the past two years brought him millions of followers and a lucrative record deal. With fame comes influence—and scrutiny.

Since the reopening of the case, the artist has canceled his tour and remained largely offline. His legal team issued a single statement in August denying any wrongdoing, asserting that he “cooperated fully with investigators.”

But the public is unconvinced. Protesters have staged demonstrations outside his management offices, and multiple sponsors have quietly paused promotions.

A veteran music industry publicist noted:

Even if he’s not charged, the association alone will shape the rest of his career.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

If the grand jury returns an indictment—expected as early as Wednesday—the DA’s office will move swiftly to execute warrants.

Legal analysts say the case may hinge on whether prosecutors can establish:

That Celeste was incapacitated or harmed while in the company of the artist or his team

That someone failed to obtain medical assistance

And that there was an attempt to conceal or alter evidence afterward
If any of these elements are proven, charges could be significant.

Meanwhile, the Torres family is preparing for a civil suit, regardless of criminal outcomes.

A CITY WAITS

Los Angeles has seen its share of tragedies, but Celeste’s story struck a nerve—perhaps because she wasn’t a public figure. She was a first-year college student, an artist, a sister, a barista saving money for her first exhibit. Her dreams were big but ordinary, and that ordinariness made her loss feel personal.

As candles burn outside the courthouse and the grand jury deliberates inside, the city waits for the moment that may finally bring clarity—and accountability.

One phrase echoes across murals, vigils, and online communities:

Justice for Celeste.”

This week, that justice may finally begin.