The LAPD has remained tight-lipped since issuing its official statement, but private investigator Steve Fischer is diligently developing a timeline

Since the Los Angeles Police Department issued its last substantial update on Sept. 30, 2025, the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has not produced any new details available to the public. The LAPD is hard at work and does not owe the public an explanation; however, this has left friends, sleuths, and advocates both concerned and frustrated over the pace of progress in a case that has garnered worldwide attention.

Rivas Hernandez’s severely decomposed remains were discovered Sept. 8 in the front trunk of a 2023 Tesla registered to musician David Anthony Burke, known professionally as D4vd. The vehicle was impounded from a Hollywood Hills street where it had sat abandoned for weeks, drawing multiple parking citations dating back to late August. Media reports once reflected that the teen’s body may have been dismembered. Given the LAPD’s recent statement, which only mentions a misdemeanor crime of “concealment of a body” and does not reference “abuse of a corpse,” a felony, it remains unclear whether she was dismembered at all.

TMZ revealed the last factual and confirmed sighting of Rivas Hernandez alive was captured on a neighbor’s ring camera when she appeared to be in the middle of a confrontation with family members. All other sightings floating around the internet have yet to be officially confirmed. Los Angeles Missing Persons Private Investigator, Steve Fischer, has been actively working the case. He confirmed an official sighting of Celeste Rivas Hernandez in 2025, but could not reveal the month she was seen due to the active and ongoing investigation. “I don’t have any proof of communication from her, but I do have an image of her taken in 2025, although I can’t disclose the exact day or month,” Fischer stated. As the investigation progresses, hopefully the photograph will be revealed to the public who may have additional information. He also recently spoke with neighbors who saw the abandoned black Tesla in the neighborhood shortly before it was towed, who revealed that there was not an overwhelming odor permeating from the vehicle.

Fischer also stated that it was concerning that, although Rivas Hernandez appeared to have returned home multiple times after she was reported missing in February 2024, it was odd that she was allegedly never removed from the National Crime Information Center. The NCIC database, however, is not available to the public to view, and it’s possible that authorities were not alerted to her return.

Fischer is working hard to create a timeline to help lead to Rivas Hernandez’ last whereabouts. He encourages anyone with information to reach out to LAPD first, however, he is available to receive tips and information.