Dismembered Teen's Death Cause Revealed
- Cause of death disclosed for teen whose remains found in rapper's car. - Celeste Rivas Hernandez's body discovered seven months ago in D4vd's Tesla. - Autopsy details emerge after lengthy delay. patch.com
Los Angeles County coroner ruled 17-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez died from sharp force injuries to her neck and torso, with her dismembered remains found inside rapper D4vd's Tesla Model X in November 2024. The cause was released April 22, 2026, after a 17-month delay. (patch.com) Deputies discovered the teen's head and right hand in two black plastic bags within the vehicle's frunk during a storage facility search on November 21, 2024. The car belonged to Davionte Ganter, the 21-year-old rapper known as D4vd, whose music has streamed over 1 billion times on Spotify. (patch.com) An autopsy confirmed the remains matched Hernandez, reported missing from Covina earlier that month after a verbal dispute with her grandmother. Additional body parts were later found stuffed in a safe also seized from the Tesla. (nbclosangeles.com) Ganter was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on November 22, 2024, while attempting to flee to Mexico, and charged with murder, mutilation of human remains, and destroying evidence. He pleaded not guilty and remains held without bail. (latimes.com) The investigation began after a tip led to the storage unit; blood and hypodermic needles found inside the unit tested positive for Hernandez's DNA. Ganter's brother was arrested earlier on an unrelated probation violation. (cbsnews.com) This case drew national attention due to Ganter's rapid rise to fame with his 2022 debut single "Romantic Killer" and a deal with Interscope Records. He had performed at Coachella weeks before the discovery. (variety.com) No official motive has been released, and the lengthy autopsy delay stemmed from the case's complexity and ongoing criminal probe by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau. Trial dates remain unscheduled as of April 2026. (foxla.com) Hernandez's family identified the remains via a distinctive tattoo and jewelry in photos released by investigators during the search. The investigation continues with over 60 investigators involved at its peak. (ktla.com)
