Weeks after a teenager’s body was found in the trunk of D4vd’s Tesla, the owner of the Hollywood Hills home where the singer was living has hired a private investigator to find answers.
Property owner Mladen Trifunovic told TMZ he has not received any updates from the Los Angeles Police Department. As a result, he brought in outside help to learn more about what happened.
“Our private investigator’s work is still ongoing, and I don’t have any findings to share at this time,” Trifunovic told the outlet. “It’s still early in the process, and I want to respect both the LAPD’s investigation and the memory of the victim.”
Related: LAPD Putting ‘A Lot of Resources’ Into D4vd Investigation, Police Chief Says
Trifunovic owns the $4.1 million home that D4vd’s manager, Josh Marshall, rented for $20,000 a month. As previously reported, Marshall ended the lease days after detectives served a search warrant at the property.
Marshall has said he lives in another state with his family, and distanced himself from the investigation.
Authorities searched the home shortly after identifying the body found in D4vd’s vehicle as 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. At that time, investigators said they were looking for traces of blood evidence during the search.
The teenager’s decomposed remains were discovered on Sept. 8 inside the front trunk of a Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills. The vehicle had been parked on a public street for more than 72 hours and was moved to a city impound lot.
Employees there reported a strong odor coming from the car before officers opened it and found a bag containing human remains.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the remains as Rivas on Sept. 17. The cause of death remains “deferred” pending additional tests, according to the medical examiner’s website.
In the last update provided, authorities said Rivas may have been deceased for several weeks before the discovery of her body.”
Capt. Scott Williams of the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division said the cause of death could be key to solving the case but confirmed that detectives are not pursuing a suspect or person of interest at this stage.
The LAPD has said investigators are looking into a “reported relationship” between D4vd, 20, and Rivas.
The department has insisted investigators are carefully “examining every aspect of this case to uncover the truth and seek justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez and her family.”
Rivas, from Lake Elsinore, California, was last seen on April 5, 2024. She had reportedly run away from home several times.
As the investigation continues, D4vd has kept a low profile. The singer canceled his tour and postponed the rollout of his deluxe album Withered.
There have also been reports that he recently transferred ownership of a house near his hometown of Houston, Texas, from himself to his mother.
“Records show he transferred his Cypress home, located in the Houston area, to his mother’s name on Sept. 23,” Los Angeles news station ABC7 reported.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
