D4vd's Tesla Filled With Air Fresheners When Teen's Body Discovered
During a preliminary hearing, a criminalist testified that air fresheners were used to mask the odor of a decomposing body found in a Tesla belonging to the artist D4vd. Forensic evidence, including blood traces detected with chemical reagents, was presented to the court.
Why it matters
This highlights the role of forensic science in high-profile criminal investigations and the use of digital and physical evidence in court.
At least 11 air fresheners were found inside D4vd ‘s Tesla along with the decomposing remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, including one that was found under a pile of maggots in the vehicle’s front trunk.
Testifying on the second day of a preliminary hearing, Chelsea Murillo, a criminalist with the Los Angeles Police Department, said most of the air fresheners were recovered from the center console of the Tesla Model X, while others were tucked into rear-seat pockets. She also recalled a "strong odor" when she helped process the vehicle on Sept. 9, 2025, one day after Rivas' dismembered remains were found inside two bags in a storage compartment beneath the front hood.
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