Expert Details Possible Punishment in D4vd, Celeste Rivas Case

Just over two months ago, authorities made a grisly and heartbreaking discovery when they found the dismembered and decomposing body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas in the trunk of a Tesla, which was registered to 20-year-old singer D4vd.

For the past two months, authorities have been investigating the death as well as how the body ended up in the car, but they have not had much information to share

So far, authorities have not listed any suspects, have not made any charges, have not determined a cause of death, and cannot even seem to determine whether a crime was committed beyond the concealment of a body.

As a result of the apparent lack of evidence, one expert explains that there's a chance that any punishment in this case could be quite minimal.

What We Know 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 14-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.
• A private investigator made a “disturbing” discovery inside the house, finding items he believes could be used to “get rid of a person.”
• D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, is not considered a suspect at this point, though he has hired a high-profile defense attorney.

Authorities Reiterate a Lack of Evidence

Though the investigation into the 14-year-old girl's death has been ongoing since early September, the Los Angeles Police Department has not had any substantial update to offer since a news release shared back in September.

When KTLA5 in Los Angeles requested an update from the LAPD last week, the department declined to give a new statement, telling the outlet that its Sept. 29 news release “stands on its own.”

“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 Sept. 29 news release reads.

“RHD is thoroughly examining every aspect of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family.”

Possible Punishment in the Case

The recent statement from the LAPD is quite telling, as it suggests that, despite over two months of investigating and gathering evidence, authorities still do not have enough information to determine that a crime was committed beyond the concealment of a body.

Given this statement, it seems like there is at least a chance that authorities will only be able to hold someone accountable for moving and concealing her body. If that is the case, one expert recently broke down the sort of punishment that could lead to.

KTLA legal expert Alison Triessl explained that concealing an accidental death is actually only a misdemeanor in the state of California. It is a violation of California Penal Code section 152, and the maximum punishment someone can receive for the offense is up to one year in county jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Triessl also points out that failing to report an accidental death is not a crime in California. So in order for authorities to hold anyone accountable, they would have to prove not only that they knew about the 14-year-old girl's death and failed to report it, but also that they committed a more overt act like moving, concealing, or hiding the body.

Of course, the punishment would be more severe if authorities were able to determine that her death was a homicide. As of now, however, authorities have not been able to rule the death a homicide and no suspects have been named.