The shocking discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains has left the Hollywood Hills community and law enforcement scrambling for answers.
Her death, still shrouded in mystery, has prompted the owner of the mansion tied to the case to hire a private investigator after weeks of limited communication with the LAPD.
The Disturbing Discovery
Rivas, 14, was reported missing in April 2024 after leaving her home in Lake Elsinore, California.
Tragically, her decomposed body was found on September 8, 2025, in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla belonging to viral TikTok singer D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke.
At the time, Rivas had been missing for over a year, sparking widespread concern and social media attention.
Police Investigation and Mansion Raid
On September 17, LAPD homicide detectives raided the $4.1 million Hollywood Hills home where Burke had been living.
Officials confirmed that the search was connected to Rivas’s death and that several items of evidence were collected, but no further details were provided.
Since then, the investigation has moved slowly, with no arrests, suspects, or official cause of death announced.
Mansion Owner Hires Private Investigator
Mladen Trifunovic, who owns the property, is desperate for answers.
“I have a private investigator gathering information because my family and I want to understand what may or may not have happened in or around a home that is very special to us,” he told the Daily Mail.
Trifunovic emphasized that the investigation is independent and does not interfere with the LAPD’s ongoing work.
The private investigator is reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine if Rivas was ever at the property and, if so, when she was last seen.
Confusion Over Tenant and Lease
Burke, 20, had been living at the mansion since February 2024 in a rental arranged by his manager, Josh Marshall.
Following the police raid, Marshall abruptly terminated the $20,000-a-month lease, citing the “ongoing situation” involving Burke.
To complicate matters, Burke’s current location is unknown, and he has not been charged or publicly accused of any crime.
Trifunovic stated he only discovered Burke was living in the home when police arrived.
Neighbors described the property as “extremely quiet,” and maintenance staff reported no unusual activity.
Despite the raid, the mansion suffered no lasting damage, and Trifunovic has not been informed about the specific tests conducted by law enforcement.
Cause of Death Still Unclear
Authorities have not confirmed how Rivas died or how long she had been deceased before her body was found.
Preliminary reports suggest she had been dead for several weeks, and the LAPD has yet to determine whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body.
Investigators are also examining Rivas’s connection to Burke, including reviewing images of the pair together.
Troubled Background and Runaways
Rivas had a troubled home life, and police records show multiple calls to her Lake Elsinore residence both before and after her disappearance.
She had previously run away on Valentine’s Day 2024 and returned briefly before leaving again in March.
Surveillance footage captured her walking near her home toward an unknown vehicle, raising further concerns about her safety.
Additional sightings included a TikTok clip posted by a cousin in June showing Rivas at a neighborhood event, though the timing remains unclear.
Over the next several months, authorities logged multiple calls to the home involving disturbances, vandalism, and alleged assaults.
Property Transfers and Ongoing Investigation
Days after Rivas’s body was found, Burke reportedly transferred the deeds to two properties near Houston, Texas, into his mother’s name.
The LAPD and Burke’s legal team have not provided official comments regarding these transactions.
Meanwhile, Trifunovic continues to work with his private investigator, stating he will only consider releasing findings once the official LAPD investigation concludes.