D4vd Murder Trial: Celeste Rivas' Mother Breaks Down in Court as D4vd Sits Stone-Faced on Day 3

Trial testimony reveals at least 11 air fresheners were found in D4vd's Tesla alongside the decomposing body of Celeste Rivas.

At least 11 air fresheners were found inside D4vd's Tesla alongside the decomposing remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, prosecutors revealed in court, presenting photographic evidence to jurors. D4vd, a signed recording artist, is on trial for the alleged murder of Rivas Hernandez. On Day 2 of the trial, LAPD forensic criminalist Lauren Wallace testified that D4vd's garage appeared to be covered in possible blood stains, which she helped process as part of the crime scene investigation. Prosecutors allege the blood evidence in the garage is consistent with D4vd having used a chainsaw to dismember Rivas Hernandez's body there. Additional gory details have emerged, including the discovery of a tarp, mats, and an inflatable pool at the scene. On Day 3, Celeste Rivas' mother was seen doubled-over crying in court as witnesses took the stand, while D4vd sat stone-faced throughout the proceedings. Defense attorneys also began challenging the LAPD criminalist's evidence testing procedures, cross-examining her on the methods used to process evidence found at D4vd's home. Criminalist Samantha Tosch also testified during Day 3. New testimony has revealed that the clothing Rivas Hernandez was wearing when her body was discovered was so heavily soiled and insect-covered by the time it reached the LAPD crime lab that a criminalist stated she was unable to complete a key forensic comparison on the garments. A private investigator connected to D4vd's case was also removed from the courtroom during the preliminary hearing, reportedly because he may be called as a witness in the trial. Prosecutors have alleged that a chainsaw was used on Rivas Hernandez's body, a detail that her family is struggling to comprehend. Their attorney told TMZ the family cannot understand why D4vd would allegedly do that to their 'beautiful girl.' Interscope Records, D4vd's label, kept the singer under contract for eight months after the alleged killing, according to testimony from Louis Poimiroo, the label's senior vice president of finance. Sources with direct knowledge told TMZ that nuance is needed to understand the label's timeline, and Interscope cut ties with D4vd four months before his arrest. Aysia Collins, a former friend of D4vd who met him while modeling on one of his projects, has publicly stated she severed contact with the singer following his arrest and is seeking justice for Rivas Hernandez.

Why it matters

The case involves the alleged murder of Celeste Rivas and has drawn public attention partly due to D4vd's profile as a signed recording artist. The trial is producing new details about both the alleged crime and the industry response to his arrest.

What's next

The trial is ongoing; additional witness testimony and evidence presentations are expected as the case proceeds.

Key facts

Bias & framing notes

All three sources are from TMZ, a single outlet with a tabloid focus. While the reporting references named individuals and courtroom evidence — which lends some credibility to specific facts — there is no corroboration from independent news organizations. The coverage centers on prosecution evidence and victim-side perspectives; no defense statements or D4vd's own position are represented in any of the three sources, and bias_notes flags this absence.

NewsClear — neutral news & congressional tracking · Bill of the Week