A potential indictment for murder is now looming over singer David in the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, according to new reporting and a key private investigator close to the case. The shift follows a period where authorities suggested charges might not extend beyond misdemeanor concealment of a body, signaling a dramatic escalation in the high-profile investigation.
Private investigator Steve Fischer, hired by the owner of a Hollywood Hills property linked to David, revealed in an exclusive interview that he has personally viewed a court document that formally uses the term “murder.” This document was part of a motion to seal the medical examiner’s records before it was itself sealed by the court. “I can tell you I have seen that document. It is legit and it did say murder,” Fischer stated.
This development aligns with recent reports from outlets including TMZ indicating a grand jury has been impaneled in Los Angeles and is likely to hand down murder charges against the musician. Fischer, while careful not to confirm specifics of any grand jury, noted that if charges are filed, he expects them to target multiple individuals simultaneously. “Based on what I’ve seen evidence-wise, I’d be shocked if it’s not multiple people,” he said.
The investigator theorized the sudden shift from potential misdemeanor to murder charges likely stems from a cooperating witness rather than new physical evidence. Fischer confirmed he has conducted extensive forensic testing, including luminol, at the Hollywood Hills property and found nothing indicating a violent crime scene there. “Somebody flipped,” he speculated, suggesting someone involved may have cut a deal with prosecutors.
In a poignant new discovery, Fischer also obtained what is believed to be the last known photograph of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, taken on January 2, 2025. The image, found on a memory card left at the property, shows the teenager at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City just days before her suspected death. Fischer described the photo as heartbreaking, showing a girl who “looks lost” and “like a confused runaway.”
This photograph critically impacts the timeline of the case. Fischer now believes Celeste likely died between January and March, a theory supported by circumstantial evidence including the abrupt cessation of her appearance in photos, a change in David’s behavior, and the sudden disuse of a black Tesla registered to David. That vehicle was later found in June with Celeste’s remains in the trunk.
A neighbor’s account provided to Fischer adds a grim layer. An estate manager from the area reported a persistent, horrific smell in their backyard beginning in February, coinciding with warm days and the Tesla being parked nearby. The smell was initially attributed to a buried pet, but it vanished when the Tesla was towed in June, leading Fischer to suspect the odor originated from the vehicle.
Further evidence of possible planning emerged as Fischer discussed the delivery of a 55-pound burn cage and the recovery of a chainsaw from the property. While no evidence confirms these items were used, Fischer posits they represent a considered, though possibly abandoned, method for body disposal. “I believe that they were… this was like one of the ideas,” he said, emphasizing he believes multiple people were involved in the disposal planning.
The grand jury process remains shrouded in secrecy, but Fischer’s own recent experience hints at its intense, clandestine nature. He revealed he was recently served a handwritten notice for a secret contempt hearing, given on a Friday with a Tuesday appearance date and no specific charges disclosed. He did not appear and still does not know the outcome, a situation he made public for his own protection.
Reports suggest the potential prosecution is being spearheaded by veteran Los Angeles homicide prosecutor Beth Silverman, known for handling high-profile and death penalty cases. Fischer described her as “fierce and aggressive,” the exact type of prosecutor sought for a complex case, but also a daunting figure for anyone potentially facing her in a legal dispute.
The medical examiner’s findings on Celeste’s cause and manner of death remain sealed under a court order obtained by the LAPD. Despite public statements from the ME’s office expressing frustration with the unusual secrecy, Fischer believes prosecutors will keep the details closely held even after any indictments to protect their strategy, avoiding a preliminary hearing where evidence would be disclosed earlier.
Fischer also shed light on Celeste’s life before her death, noting she was a teenager who had run away from home multiple times. He revealed he has proof her family was aware she was in Los Angeles and staying with David, but a missing person report remained open, allegedly to avoid a Child Protective Services investigation into her truancy. “There was a lot of failures along the way,” Fischer stated.
David has maintained an extremely low profile since the investigation intensified, canceling his tour and making no public statements. His current whereabouts are unknown, though Fischer noted notarized documents from late 2023 suggest he was in Los Angeles at that time. The singer has not been arrested or formally charged, but the legal net appears to be tightening.
The Los Angeles Police Department has previously denied lurid rumors about the state of Celeste’s remains, specifically refuting reports she was decapitated or frozen. The department has stated the sealing of records was to ensure detectives received information before the public, not to avoid transparency, though the continued secrecy now is raising questions.
As the investigation moves into a potentially decisive phase, the focus remains on securing justice for Celeste Rivas Hernandez. With a powerful prosecutor potentially at the helm, a grand jury reportedly convened, and a private investigator uncovering critical new evidence, the case that has captivated the public may soon enter the courtroom, promising answers to the many haunting questions surrounding the teenager’s tragic death.