Three months after the remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in the trunk of a Tesla registered to singer “D4vd,” the Los Angeles Police Department continues its investigation with no arrests made.
More scrutiny has surrounded the case, this time over a “high-temperature incinerator” that was recently found at the musician’s former rental home. The same house where the young girl would allegedly visit or even live in for extended periods of time.
Private investigator Steve Fischer, hired by the Hollywood Hills property owner, announced on social media that he located a “burn cage” incinerator on the property last month. News that would take weeks before being publicly released.
“Some will argue that this item was intended as a prop for a video. If that were the case, it raises several obvious questions. Why would a 55-pound burn cage be delivered to a private residence instead of directly to a prop designer or production house? Why would it be ordered before departing on an extended world tour? And why was it never used in any video production? It is also important to note that there were additional items present that could be used in conjunction with the burn cage,” Fischer wrote in a post to X, offering an update on his independent investigation.
The “burn cage” device, capable of reaching temperatures over 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit – hotter than typically required for cremation, is marketed for “farm waste disposal” and is reportedly illegal to operate in Los Angeles County.
Fischer described it as ”items you would expect to find on a farm rather than in a home in the Hollywood Hills,” while also noting it was delivered to the residence but not seized during a prior LAPD search. His post also claims that the burn cage was never used and is still in new condition.
“The Burn Cage was not taken during the search warrant and because it was not used it appears it’s not of importance to any possible criminal investigation. But we think it’s important context, even if not criminal. The burn cage and other related items were delivered to the residence under a false name, although the deliveries were accepted at the property,” Fischer added.
As detailed in previous reporting by DX on September 19, Rivas Hernandez, reported missing from the Lake Elsinore area in April of 2024, was identified after her remains were found in the impounded Tesla on September 8, following tow yard workers’ reports of a foul odor coming from the car.
The vehicle had been illegally parked near the musician’s rented home for weeks. LAPD homicide detectives eventually executed a search warrant at the property, leased through connections to D4vd’s manager at Interscope Records, removing computers and other bags of evidence. At that time, the incinerator – or mail packages delivered under a false name – were never mentioned.
D4vd – real name David Anthony Burke – has not been arrested or charged with any crimes yet, regardless of the relationship with a minor that both he and the victim previously documented on social media.
Toxicology results are still pending in the case, delaying an official cause of death determination, and autopsy records remain sealed, leaving the young victim’s family in limbo.
A Los Angeles County grand jury has been actively hearing testimony from some of Burke’s former friends and co-workers, including music industry associates such as Robert Morgenroth, general manager of Burke’s record label and touring company. Morgenroth, according to TMZ, faced questions from the DA about why he simply did not call the police upon learning of the discovery of the victim’s body.
Morgenroth also allegedly wanted to continue the musicians’ world tour even after hearing about the death.
Additional witnesses connected to Burke have appeared in court, with proceedings described as unusually “secretive.”
Burke quickly canceled the remainder of his “Withered” world tour dates after the victim was discovered, and he has issued no public statements since.
