D4vd Not Named a Murder Suspect, Lawyer Explains Why

Last month, authorities made a grim discovery when the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas was found in the trunk of a car registered to 20-year-old singer D4vd. While

While there have been several apparent connections between D4vd and Rivas, and authorities even raided the house where the singer had been living, authorities have not publicly named him a murder suspect. Now, a defense attorney is weighing in to explain why that could be the case.

What We Know of the Case So Far

• A decomposing body was found inside a Tesla belonging to musician D4vd at an impound lot in Hollywood on Sept. 8.
• The car was brought to the impound lot after “someone reported it abandoned” in Hollywood Hills, and police were called after workers “reported a strong odor” coming from the Tesla.
• The Tesla was never reported as stolen.
• The body was discovered inside a bag in the Tesla’s front trunk. The remains were not intact and had badly decomposed.
• The remains were so decomposed that it took authorities more than a week to identify the body.
• The remains were eventually identified as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas.
• D4vd has a matching tattoo with Rivas, and her mother said she has been missing for over a year and that her daughter’s boyfriend was named David.
• D4vd initially decided to continue his world tour while cooperating with the investigation, but he cancelled the remainder of his tour on Wednesday.
• An unreleased love song written by D4vd references someone by the name of “Celeste” in the unfinished title and twice in the lyrics.
• Police raided a home connected to D4vd as they continue the investigation.
• D4vd moves out of the home that the police raided.
• Authorities have not officially deemed the death a homicide since medical examiners have been unable to determine an official cause of death, and D4vd is not considered a suspect at this point.

D4vd Not a Suspect

Last month, the LAPD released a statement declaring that investigators had not yet determined whether there was any "criminal culpability" regarding Rivas' death. As a result, they had not declared D4vd or anyone else a suspect.

“The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause or manner of Ms. Rivas Hernandez’s death. As such, it remains unclear whether there is any criminal culpability beyond the concealment of her body,” the LAPD said in a statement. “RHD is thoroughly examining every aspect of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family.”

The LAPD has not ruled out the possibility of an accidental death.

Attorney Weighs In

With the investigation earning national headlines, prominent criminal defense attorney Michael J. Alber recently spoke to Men's Journal to give his expert opinion on the matter.

While authorities have indicated publicly that D4vd has not been named as a suspect because they are still working to find the cause of death, Alber believes that decision not to publicly name him a suspect is a bit more strategic.

"He hasn't been formally named, which, in reality, in my humble opinion, has nothing to do with the merits," Alber told Men's Journal last week. "I think we're in a position where a homicide detective or the Los Angeles Police Department doesn't want to get cross-examined on statements purported by the police at trial on rushing to judgment in such an important case, in such a significant criminal case. So I think they're going to choose their words very carefully."

Alber believes this is the smart approach for them to take, given the situation and the high-profile nature of this case.

"I think not naming him, I think, formally, is a sign of credibility that, hey, they're reserving judgment, they haven't rushed the judgment, they're taking a very methodical approach, they're taking it seriously," he added. "I think from their perspective, to have that approach, I think that's smart from their point of view."

As of now, D4vd has not been arrested or publicly named as a suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas. In fact, authorities have still not even publicly declared the case a homicide investigation.