In a heartbreaking turn of events, the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez is facing an unimaginable loss. The 15-year-old, who had been missing since April 2024, was recently identified as the individual found deceased earlier this month. Her body was discovered in a Tesla in Los Angeles, a vehicle registered to the singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke), turning a private tragedy into a subject of widespread media attention and an ongoing homicide investigation. Amidst this turmoil, her family has issued a heartfelt plea for support, channeling their grief into a single, powerful goal: laying their beloved Celeste to rest with dignity.
The discovery has sent shockwaves through her community in Lake Elsinore, California, and beyond. Celeste Rivas Hernandez is remembered not as a headline, but as a “beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend.” Her family has described themselves as “heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss,” a sentiment that echoes through every word of their statement. While investigators work to piece together the circumstances of her death, her loved ones are focused on honoring her memory and finding a way to say goodbye.
A Family’s Request for Support in a Time of Need
In the face of overwhelming grief and the sudden glare of the public eye, the Rivas Hernandez family has turned to their community for practical support. A GoFundMe campaign was organized by Esmeralda Lozano with a clear and poignant purpose: to raise funds to help cover the costs of Celeste’s funeral and burial services. The campaign, titled “Help Lay Celeste Rivas Hernandez to Rest,” emphasizes that any contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated during this difficult time. This effort allows people from all over to offer tangible support to a family reeling from a nightmare, providing a way to show compassion and solidarity.
Celeste’s family has started a gofundme to finance her memorial. If you can please share & donate to her fundraiser, so that she can be properly laid to rest. The family has experienced a tragic loss and should get all the help they need.https://t.co/GOhOKLd3Sc
— unripe 🍏★ SAW skz☆ (@unr1pegir1) September 18, 2025
The response has been a testament to the power of community. As of this writing, the fundraiser has made significant progress toward its $20,000 goal, having already raised over $17,000 from hundreds of compassionate donors. A spokesperson for GoFundMe has confirmed that the platform’s Trust & Safety team is actively involved, working with the organizer to ensure that the funds are delivered securely and safely to Celeste’s family. This ensures that the generosity of strangers directly aids the family’s immediate needs. A service for Celeste has been scheduled for October 5th, offering a chance for closure and remembrance.
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Navigating Grief Amidst an Ongoing Investigation
The family’s effort to lay Celeste Rivas Hernandez to rest continues alongside a complex police investigation. Authorities have confirmed they are investigating her death as a homicide. The case has drawn intense interest due to its connection to the musician D4vd, whose Hollywood Hills residence was recently searched by police investigating Celeste’s death. While the singer has been cooperative with authorities, according to his representatives, he has not been named a suspect or charged with any crime. The medical examiner has yet to determine a cause of death due to the state of the remains.
Alleged footage of Celeste R. backstage with D4vd’s brother after D4vd’s show on June 27, 2024, has resurfaced pic.twitter.com/hTIj2OYMV9
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) September 19, 2025
This public scrutiny adds an extra layer of difficulty for a family trying to mourn in private. Their sole focus, as expressed through their fundraiser, is on Celeste herself—on celebrating her life and giving her a peaceful rest. The campaign stands separate from the swirling questions of the investigation, a dedicated space for empathy and mourning. It is a heartbreaking reminder that behind every major news story, there are real people grappling with profound loss. The community’s donations are more than just financial aid; they are a message to the Rivas Hernandez family that they are not alone, that a great many hearts are breaking with theirs, and that Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s memory will be honored.
