Air fresheners found throughout Tesla in D4vd murder case, court hears
An LAPD criminalist testified that at least 11 air fresheners were found in the Tesla where Celeste Rivas’ remains were discovered.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
At least 11 air fresheners were found inside D4vd’s Tesla, including near the front trunk where Celeste Rivas’ remains were discovered, prosecutors said during the musician’s preliminary hearing Wednesday.
Photos shown in court placed the air fresheners in multiple areas of the vehicle, according to testimony reported from the hearing. LAPD criminalist Chelsea Murillo said they were located in the center console, on the rear seats and in the front trunk.
Murillo testified that Celeste’s remains were decomposing in two bags in the front trunk of the Tesla. She said that when she examined the car on Sept. 9, the day after the remains were found, the front trunk had a “strong odor.”
The testimony added a new detail to the prosecution’s presentation in the case against D4vd, whose legal name has been tied in court to the Tesla where the remains were found. Prosecutors have alleged that Celeste was killed months before the discovery.
D4vd has pleaded not guilty to one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
Graphic evidence shown in court
The air freshener testimony followed another day of evidence in the preliminary hearing. On Tuesday, the court was shown graphic crime scene photos of Celeste’s remains while an LAPD investigator testified about the booking process after D4vd’s arrest.
According to that testimony, officers noticed what appeared to be Celeste’s name tattooed on one of D4vd’s fingers while he was being booked.
Celeste’s family was present in court during parts of the hearing, according to prior courtroom reporting. The proceedings have focused on whether prosecutors have enough evidence to move the case toward trial.
Record label executives testify
The court also heard from Interscope Records executives, who testified about D4vd’s contract and payments. According to their testimony, D4vd stayed signed to the label for eight months after prosecutors allege he killed Celeste.
An executive testified that Interscope paid D4vd and companies connected to him more than $5.1 million from 2022 to 2025. The label ended his recording agreement in December 2025, according to the testimony.
Another witness testified that D4vd earned an estimated $12 million between 2023 and 2025.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has said the death penalty remains a possible option in the case. No decision on that punishment has been announced in the testimony described.
The hearing is continuing as prosecutors lay out evidence in the murder case. D4vd remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.