how long was celeste rivas dead

Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been dead for at least several weeks before her body was discovered, but the exact length of time has not been publicly confirmed.

What is known about the timeline

• Her body was discovered on September 8, 2025, in the trunk of an impounded Tesla in Hollywood.

• Investigators and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner have stated that she had been deceased inside the vehicle for an extended period of time before being found, described as “severely decomposed.”

• An LAPD commander quoted in coverage of the case said she had been dead for at least several weeks prior to discovery.

• Some investigative summaries and prosecution theory suggest she may have died in spring 2025 , which would mean several months before the September 8 discovery, but this is still characterized as an estimate, not a finalized finding.

Why there isn’t a precise number

• The medical examiner has listed the cause and manner of death as “deferred,” and a court order has placed a security hold on detailed autopsy findings, including finer-grained time-of-death estimates.

• Advanced decomposition makes it much harder to narrow down the exact interval between death and discovery.

• Because of the sealed records and ongoing investigation, authorities have only gone on record with broad language like “extended period of time” and “at least several weeks.”

Practical answer to “how long was she dead?”

• Publicly, the most precise supported statement is:
  • She had been dead for at least several weeks, and likely much longer , possibly dating back to spring 2025 , before being found on September 8, 2025.

• Any more exact timeframe (like a specific number of weeks or months) would be speculation , because the official forensic details are not fully released.

Note: This is a sensitive, ongoing case involving a deceased minor; details may change as sealed records are lifted or new court filings emerge.