Singer D4vd could be expected to face possible murder charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, according to sources familiar with the case who spoke to TMZ. As Los Angeles Magazine previously reported, prosecutors are presenting evidence to a Los Angeles grand jury that could lead to an indictment. Earlier reports described the grand jury as “investigative,” a panel that can subpoena witnesses and gather evidence without returning criminal charges, but sources told TMZ the panel in this matter is expected to vote on an indictment. The grand jury was reportedly convened in mid-November and was expected to last weeks or even months.
High-profile criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos previously told Los Angelesthat he’s not sure the type of grand jury matters anymore, given the major secrecy around the case. “The cynic in me says the reason they’re using the grand jury is to figure out what’s happening without public scrutiny and to identify who, if anyone, is criminally liable,” he said. “They want this close to the vest.”
Rivas’s remains were discovered on September 8th inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to David Anthony Burke, 20, the performer known professionally as D4vd. The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed the case is now being treated as a murder investigation, though authorities have released few details publicly.
Witnesses, including D4vd’s day-to-day manager, Robert Morgenroth, have testified before the panel. Morgenroth reportedly was on the stand for three days, being questioned intensely by prosecutor Beth Silverman on “why he didn’t call the police.”
The case has drawn intense scrutiny amid delays in public disclosures and conflicting information about the relationship between Burke and Rivas, who had been reported missing in 2024. Private investigator Steve Fischer is working on behalf of D4vd’s former property owner, and has publicly shared additional uncollected evidence and raised questions about the investigation’s pace. Fischer was also believed to be a grand jury witness and did not express hope that anyone would be arrested anytime soon.
To be clear, the LA District Attorney’s office has not confirmed whether an indictment has been returned, with TMZ sources claiming grand jury proceedings could continue into February with more witnesses.
A wave of internet sleuths believe they’ve uncovered who moved the Tesla where Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body was found; plus TMZ unearths disturbing information about her corpse
On the November 22nd episode of the “2 Angry Men” podcast, Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos indicated that LAPD may have their sights set on a “second suspect” in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, found in the frunk of singer D4vd’s Tesla on September 8, 2025. The second person may not be directly connected to the actual homicide of Rivas Hernandez (Levin claims that although the M.E.’s office hasn’t officially classified the case as a homicide, his LAPD sources confirmed it has been investigated as one thus far); however, previous reports from October indicate that a person was identified moving D4vd’s Tesla without the singer present. Los Angeles PI Steve Fischer, who was hired by the Hollywood Hills homeowner where D4vd previously resided, told host Jesse Weber on Law & Crime that he had neighbors’ surveillance footage showing the Tesla being moved. More specifically, Fischer stated “he believes he knows who drove the car to the final parking spot.” He confirmed that this information was relayed to the LAPD.
In the comments section of the podcast, multiple online sleuths surmise that the second person is a close friend of D4vd (real name David Anthony Burke), known as “Neo the Asian.” Click here to review the comments in their entirety for many more questions surrounding Neo.
Credit: YouTube/TMZCredit: YouTube/TMZ
Both D4vd and Neo no longer follow each other on Instagram, and Neo appears to have reportedly wiped any trace of D4vd from his Instagram account. D4vd, however, has a July 30th, 2025, Instagram post with photos of himself and Neo at his Hollywood Hills home, with the caption, “TOUR STARTS TODAY BABY I’M GETTING NAKED ON STAGE.”
While D4vd’s “Withered Tour” did officially begin on July 30th, sleuths have speculated that the photos were taken the day prior on July 29th. Fischer told Weber on Law & Crime that the Tesla was last moved in “late July,” and not by D4vd, leading many to guess that it was Neo based on prior knowledge of their friendship and the fact that he was at the singer’s home in late July. Fischer also stated that he did not see anyone coming or going from the Hollywood Hills home via surveillance footage after the Tesla was moved. Neo did not respond when Los Angeles reached out for a comment. Threads on Reddit have also made claims that Neo was a possible personal assistant for D4vd, and is currently out of the country.
🚨 UPDATE: The private investigator in D4vd’s case thinks that Celeste Rivas died in early 2025 (Jan/Feb) at another home D4vd was renting that is one mile down the same street she was found.
He also alludes that D4vd’s friend “Neo” may have been the one to move the Tesla. pic.twitter.com/Nq3oIQ29NZ
Additionally, according to a TMZ exclusive on November 22nd, sources connected to the investigation say the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in a partially frozen (it had been thawing), dismembered state inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd. Pieces of the torso and limbs reportedly showed the victim had been frozen for a period before being left in the car, with her head detached as well. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office may be unable to determine an official cause or manner of death, with a permanent listing as “undetermined” because the body was in such bad shape.
Scroll to continue reading
This past week, TMZ’s Harvey Levin revealed new and unsettling details, claiming an LAPD source confirmed that investigators have “tracking information” placing Burke in a remote area of Santa Barbara County in the middle of the night during spring 2025-an unexplained trip now under a microscope for a possible connection to the teen’s disappearance and the later discovery of her remains. Some are speculating that Rivas Hernandez may have died around that time, and that the trip could be a critical piece of the timeline. Levin added that his source said something along the lines of “logic doesn’t exist when it comes to this case.”
This is no way implies any type of guilt, but based on Steve’s recent findings, and D4vd’s social media… it’s very possible that his friend “Neo” or “Neotheasian” was the last one driving the Tesla- was discussing with my fellow sleuth @iamlegacy23. Neo has wiped his social… https://t.co/no91lp8yVlpic.twitter.com/ie7bs6PreS
Rivas Hernandez, a 14-year-old from Lake Elsinore reported missing on April 5, 2024, was last seen in photos in early 2025, according to private investigator Steve Fischer. Her decomposed remains were located on September 8, 2025, inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after the vehicle sat abandoned on a Hollywood street for weeks, collecting parking tickets before being towed. Early reports suggested the body was “wrapped in plastic” and possibly dismembered, though the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has deferred both cause and manner of death pending toxicology, which could point to overdose, foul play, or something in between. LAPD has released very little information, and the case remains active and developing. D4vd previously cancelled his tour, his “Withered” album release, moved out of his Hollywood Hills home, hired celebrity attorney Blair Berk, transferred his Houston TX homes to his mother, and has not made any public statement since the discovery of Rivas Hernandez’ body.
A few weeks ago, news broke that a 15-year-old girl was found dead in the trunk of a Tesla registered to rising star D4vd. And the internet exploded with rumors, wild theories, and straight-up speculation. But now, D4vd’s manager, Josh Marshall, is stepping out of the shadows to address the swirling drama. Read what he had to say as he finally spoke out and set the record straight.
In the comments of a recent TikTok video, Josh Marshall opened up about the rumors linking him to the investigation. He made it clear he never received any emails about the missing girl, Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and said he had zero knowledge of the situation. Marshall claimed that he works remotely 95% of the time and isn’t involved in day-to-day interactions with d4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. Marshall also urged everyone to leave speculation behind, as he himself is busy supporting his family emotionally through the news.
“This has been a tough time for my family as I am a father of 3 children,” Marshall, who goes by JMogul on TikTok, wrote in the comments of a video addressing the rumors. “I never received any emails. I had zero knowledge of anything and I don’t live in California. Also I work remotely 95% of the time and my job doesn’t require me to have much interaction with any of my clients/David as there are many others that work with him on a day to day capacity, not me. This news is tragic for so many and for her family. I hope the proper authorities get to the bottom of it soon.”
Police Activity At Celeste’s Home Raises Questions
New details are beginning to paint a fuller picture of what may have been going on behind the scenes in Celeste’s life. According to newly obtained records, Riverside County deputies made multiple visits to her home between 2022 and 2025. Furthermore, there was reportedly a spike in activity in February, earlier this year.
ABC News reports that many of the calls were marked as “FU,” short for “follow-up,” suggesting they weren’t emergency responses but rather recurring check-ins by law enforcement. The reason for those visits hasn’t been confirmed, but it adds another layer to the ongoing investigation.
New Details Emerge On Celeste’s Cause Of Death
The investigation into the tragic death of Celeste remains ongoing—and her official cause of death is still unknown. According to her death certificate, the cause is listed as “deferred.” Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner continues to await lab tests and toxicology results that could provide more answers. For now, authorities say the case remains a death investigation rather than a homicide. Furthermore, the certificate also confirms that Celeste was not, and had not been, pregnant in the last year.
D4vd’s manager, Josh Marshall of Mogul Vision, using the handle @JMogul on TikTok, appeared to clap back at comments accusing him of involvement in the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez: “I had zero knowledge of anything”
D4vd performing on stage in Florence, Italy, June 18, 2023Credit: Photo by Roberto Finizio/NurPhoto via AP
Josh Marshall, the manager of music star D4vd and founder of Mogul Vision, has taken to TikTok under the handle “JMogul” (this also appears to be his verified Instagram handle as well) to address swirling speculation surrounding the tragic death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Her badly decomposed body was discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd on September 8, 2025 (what would have been a day after her 15th birthday), igniting a high-profile investigation that has drawn intense public and media scrutiny. Marshall, who rented the Hollywood Hills home where D4vd was staying, has used the platform to deny involvement and call for factual reporting, marking his first public statements on the matter.
Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was reported missing from Lake Elsinore multiple times in 2024 at age 13, was found deceased earlier this month, thrusting D4vd and his manager into the spotlight. Marshall, a music industry executive known for managing artists such as D4vd, KennyHoopla, and Lil Mosey, has faced questions about his knowledge of the teenager’s whereabouts and connection with his client. This scrutiny intensified after a private investigator reported that a 2024 email had surfaced, suggesting that concerned adults in Rivas’ life alerted Marshall to her absence, and speculated she was with the singer. It was noted that Marshall did not respond to the email (and perhaps he never received it); however, Rivas returned home the following day. This has led to speculation that Marshall may have informed D4vd and Rivas that authorities could be searching for her. Marshall is now setting the record straight, saying he received no email and has “zero knowledge of anything.”
In a series of comments and posts, Marshall has sought to clarify his position and deny receiving any email. On a video by TikTok user “GirlTownNJ,” he responded sharply to accusations. When a user commented, “I swear to god I been saying this to my boyfriend!!!! I think Josh did it,” and “GIRL TOWN” replied, “I THINK he’s heavily involved,” Marshall retorted, “How dare you say something like this with no facts.”He elaborated further in a detailed statement: “This video is false and the person is misinformed. This is the only time I’ll speak on this matter. FOR NOW. This has been a tough time for my family as I am a father of 3 children. I received no emails and I’m no one’s room mate, I live full time at home with my wife and kids. My daughter is 14 and this news is affecting so many lives. I never received any emails. I had zero knowledge of anything and I don’t live in California. Also I work remotely 95% of the time and my job doesn’t require me to have much interaction with any of my clients/David, as there are many others that work with him on a day to day capacity, not me. This news is tragic for so many and for her family. I hope the proper authorities get to the bottom of it soon. Let me remind people a lot of this is speculation and alleged. In the meantime, I am with my family helping them emotionally get through the news of this tragedy. Please report on factual information. – Josh Marshall”
Addressing rumors about his vehicles as it was previously reported that Marshall may have driven a red Tesla that was parked in the garage, Marshall posted, “I have no cars registered in my name in California. Nor have any of my cars been in that state… please use facts with supporting evidence when making comments.” Another handle noted, “TMZ is talking about this case on a mainstream LEVEL..We are small content creators and it is funny, Mr. Marshall would come to us instead of mainstream..,” Marshall replied, “lol I’ve never lived in that home. I live in an entirely different state with my family. I do not have access to any cameras nor anything on that property. Stop creating false narratives and Assumptions.”
Marshall’s comments come as the investigation continues, with some questioning his limited interaction with D4vd despite managing him. In a follow-up post, he addressed misinformation broadly: “This is for anyone that has spread Misinformation about me that greatly affects myself and my family without any regard for the facts. Also I hope the creator of this video pins my comment and corrects what she said with a new video and anyone else making false comments or following a narrative about me that isn’t true.”
TMZ recently revealed surveillance footage from March of 2024 from a local liquor store that showed Celeste Rivas both walking and running, without any of her belongings, and sporting a black hooded sweatshirt. The liquor store owner recalled to TMZ that Rivas got into a car, however could not recall the make or model, and it unfortunately was not captured on camera.
Scroll to continue reading
LAPD issued a search warrant on the Hollywood Hills home that D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, was staying on September 18, 2025. Following the search, D4vd’s belongings were seen being packed in boxes and removed from the property by movers, and it was reported by the homeowner that Marshall broke his $20000 a month lease with the property. D4vd halted the September 19th release of his new album “Withered Deluxe” and had cancelled his upcoming tour schedule, however has not made a statement to the public. His label Interscope also has yet to speak out.
As of September 19, 2025, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office classified Rivas’ cause of Death as “pending further medical evaluation.” Many outlets have stated that her manner of death has now been classified as a homicide; however, the ME’s website has not been updated.