The police have revealed that the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez was likely in a boot for ‘several weeks’ before being discovered.
The Romantic Homicide singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been in the headlines over the past few weeks after the body of a teenage girl was found in the boot of a Tesla belonging to him.
Police discovered the remains of the teenager in the car and quickly launched an investigation into her death – the musician, 20, has not been named as an official suspect and is said to be ‘fully cooperating with’ inquiries.
The Los Angeles Police Department have now revealed her body was likely in the boot for a long time before she was discovered.
LAPD’s Captain and Commanding Officer Scot M. Williams told People: ‘We know for sure that Celeste Rivas Hernandez died and someone placed her body in the front trunk area of David Burke’s Tesla.’
Williams added that the vehicle had been towed several weeks before, indicating the length of time her remains were in the car.
‘We know that the Tesla had been parked at the location from which it was towed for several weeks, so it is very likely Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been dead for several weeks prior to her body being discovered.’
Williams added: ‘The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not determined a cause or manner of her death, so we don’t know for sure if anyone has any criminal culpability for her death beyond the concealment of her dead body.’
Burke has not been named a suspect or charged with a crime in relation to the case.
Rivas Hernandez’s body was found in the impounded Tesla the day after what would have been her 15th birthday, meaning she was most likely 14 when she died.
The car was reported to have been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills, with neighbours informing NBC Los Angeles it had been there for about a month. Burke was on tour when her remains were discovered.
Rivas Hernandez’s family paid tribute to the teenager in a GoFundMe page: ‘As many of you know, Celeste Rivas Hernandez has been identified as the body found last week. She was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, and friend.
‘Her family is heartbroken and devastated by this tragic loss. Any funds you are able to donate are greatly appreciated.’
Last week, it was announced that Burke had ‘terminated his lease of Hollywood home’.
It was recently revealed that officers raided the $20,000-a-month property he had been staying in, and recovered ‘several items of evidence’.
According to reports, Burke and his manager, Josh Marshall, have now terminated the lease on the four-bedroom home and are starting the process of moving out.
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