Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views

Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views World, National, State, and Local News.

BREAKING - MSP ASKS, HAVE YOU SEEN THESE TWO? IRON COUNTY, Mich. - Friends Community News Group, December 31, 2025, 2:15...
12/31/2025

BREAKING - MSP ASKS, HAVE YOU SEEN THESE TWO?

IRON COUNTY, Mich. - Friends Community News Group, December 31, 2025, 2:15 a.m. ET - Michigan State Police are asking the public’s help in locating an Iron River couple who have been missing since Dec. 19, troopers said in a news release Wednesday.

State police at the Iron Mountain Post say 32-year-old Paige Nichols and 46-year-old David Hunt II were last seen in the Iron River area more than a week ago and that efforts to verify their well-being have so far been unsuccessful. The department is seeking any information that could help locate them.

Nichols is described as a white female about 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Hunt is a white male about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 215 pounds, with a bald or shaved head and green eyes, police said.

It is unknown what clothing they may be wearing, and police said the couple may be traveling on foot as searches continue in the rugged terrain of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

By: Tom Manke

BREAKING - Firefighters Violently Haze New Employee, Arrested, Charged With Kidnapping. OCALA, Fla. - Friends Community ...
12/31/2025

BREAKING - Firefighters Violently Haze New Employee, Arrested, Charged With Kidnapping.

OCALA, Fla. - Friends Community News Group, December 31, 2025, 1:00 a.m. ET -
Four Marion County Fire Rescue employees have been arrested and charged in connection with what authorities described as a violent hazing incident in which a 19-year-old firefighter was allegedly beaten and waterboarded by co-workers at a fire station.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on November 16 at Fire Station 21 in Ocala, while the victim, a new firefighter, was working his only second shift. Investigators said the victim was subjected to escalating abuse after co-workers demanded access to his cellphone.

Sheriff’s officials said Tate Trauthwein, 19, a firefighter/EMT who had been with the department about a year; Edward Kenny, 22, an EMT with about three years’ experience; and Seth Day, 22, a firefighter/EMT with about two years on the job, were each charged with kidnapping, battery and robbery. A fourth employee, Kaylee Bradley, 25, a paramedic with about two years at the department, was charged with robbery and principal (accessory) to robbery.

According to arrest affidavits, the hazing began with harassment and property damage, including smearing grease on the victim’s clothing and throwing his boots outside.

When the victim refused to give co-workers the passcode to his phone, investigators said he was tackled, restrained and dragged across the station grounds.

Deputies allege the group removed the victim’s pants and underwear, struck him with a belt and waterboarded him multiple times using a towel and water while continuing to demand access to his phone.

The kidnapping charge stems from allegations that the victim was forcibly restrained and moved against his will, while the robbery charge relates to the taking of his cellphone.

The victim was later hospitalized. Sheriff Billy Woods said the conduct went far beyond hazing and constituted serious criminal behavior.

Marion County Fire Rescue officials stated that all four employees were terminated following their arrests. Fire Chief James Banta called the alleged actions “unacceptable” and said the department has launched an internal review of station culture and supervision. A total of 10 employees, including Supervisors, were dismissed for failing to intervene or report the incident, officials said.

All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Bond was set for the three men charged with kidnapping, battery, and robbery, while Bradley faces bond on the robbery-related charge. The case remains under investigation.

By: Liam Anderson

BREAKING - SON SUSPECTED IN UN - ALIVING HIS MOTHER AND BURYING HER IN THE BACK YARD.Jackson, Mississippi- Friends Commu...
12/31/2025

BREAKING - SON SUSPECTED IN UN - ALIVING HIS MOTHER AND BURYING HER IN THE BACK YARD.

Jackson, Mississippi- Friends Community News Group, December 31, 2025, 12:30 a.m. ET - Police in Jackson said Tuesday they discovered human remains buried in the backyard of a home while investigating the disappearance of an 81-year-old woman, and by Wednesday had arrested the woman’s son and daughter-in-law on charges of desecrating a human co**se.

Officials with the Jackson Police Department began a missing person’s investigation after family members reported that 81-year-old Carol Ryan had not been seen or heard from in several months and did not show up at a nursing home where she was believed to be staying. Investigators obtained a search warrant for her home on the 200 block of Baybury Lane and executed it around 11 p.m. Monday, police said.

Sheriff Tyree Jones said Tuesday evening that investigators brought excavators and other equipment to the property to search for evidence. Around 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, officers uncovered human remains buried in a makeshift grave in the backyard. The remains were reportedly wrapped in a tarp and encased in concrete, according to police. Authorities said they could not immediately confirm whether the remains belonged to Ryan and that a medical examiner’s investigation would be needed for positive identification.

At the scene, investigators also noted they were focusing on both the home and vehicles at the property as part of the ongoing inquiry. A cadaver dog was reportedly used in spotting the backyard area where the remains were later unearthed.

On Wednesday, the police department released that Ryan’s son, 50-year-old John Ryan, and his wife, 48-year-old Samantha Ryan, were arrested and charged with desecration of a human co**se in connection with the discovery. John Ryan was held on a $100,000 bond, while Samantha Ryan was held on a $75,000 bond, according to jail records. Authorities said additional charges could be possible as the investigation develops.

Authorities said that at some point the couple had lived with Carol Ryan, but it was unclear if she was residing at the home when she disappeared. Until the remains are conclusively identified, Ryan is still officially listed as a missing person.

The case remains under investigation.

By: Tom Manke

BREAKING - Canada Is Ramping Up Their Deportations. Toronto, Canada - Friends Community News Group, December 31, 2025, 1...
12/31/2025

BREAKING - Canada Is Ramping Up Their Deportations.

Toronto, Canada - Friends Community News Group, December 31, 2025, 12:15 a.m. ET - Canada is intensifying efforts to secure its borders and enforce immigration laws as part of a broader crackdown that has seen removal orders carried out at a pace not seen in more than a decade, government figures and agency statements show.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been deporting foreign nationals at an accelerated rate, with authorities removing about 400 people per week, according to publicly referenced agency reporting on social media and news outlets. That rate reflects one of the fastest periodic deportation paces seen in recent years, as Ottawa grapples with irregular migration and asylum claims that have strained parts of the immigration system.

The agency prioritizes the removal of individuals who pose national security risks, serious criminal threats or violations of immigration laws, as well as failed refugee claimants who entered the country irregularly between official ports of entry. Those with enforceable removal orders are legally required to leave Canada and must confirm their departure with the CBSA, officials have said.

The enforcement surge comes amid landmark legislative changes and proposals aimed at tightening Canada’s immigration system. One of the most closely watched measures is Bill C-12, formally known as the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, which would expand the government’s authority to manage border security and alter refugee claim procedures if it becomes law. The bill cleared the House of Commons in December and now awaits Senate approval. Supporters say it will help curb irregular migration and improve the integrity of Canada’s asylum system, while critics contend it could undermine due process and protections for refugees.

Immigration advocates have raised concerns that the legislative changes could reduce access to fair hearings for asylum seekers and limit protections for vulnerable migrants, potentially running counter to Canada’s obligations under international human rights norms. Amnesty International and other groups have warned that aspects of the proposed changes could jeopardize the rights and safety of asylum seekers and refugees in the country.

The uptick in deportations and stricter enforcement also reflects ongoing cooperation between Canada and the United States to address irregular migration. Reuters reported that both countries are coordinating efforts to manage deportation challenges, including working with foreign governments that have been slow to accept returned citizens, as Canada aims to increase removals to around 20,000 annually in coming years.

Despite the heightened enforcement, Canada continues to process asylum claims under its existing legal framework, and individuals can still pursue protection if they meet eligibility requirements. Canada also operates under the Canada–United States Safe Third Country Agreement, under which asylum seekers generally must make their claims in the first country of arrival unless they qualify for an exception.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government has defended the emphasis on border security and deportations as necessary to preserve public confidence in the immigration system and ensure orderly and lawful entry, especially amid broader global migration pressures. However, the debate over the balance between enforcement, humanitarian obligations and due process is likely to continue as Parliament considers the final form of the Strong Borders Act.

By: Liam Anderson

Breaking - The Body of Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19,  May Have Been FoundSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Authorities searching for a 19-y...
12/31/2025

Breaking - The Body of Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, May Have Been Found

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Authorities searching for a 19-year-old woman who disappeared on Christmas Eve found a body Tuesday in northwest Bexar County, but officials said late Tuesday that the remains had not yet been positively identified and that investigators were awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner.

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said the body was discovered Tuesday afternoon in a field near the home of Camila Mendoza Olmos, who was reported missing Dec. 24. The area had been searched previously but was revisited because of dense grass and uneven terrain, Salazar said.

The sheriff said investigators do not currently suspect foul play, but emphasized that the investigation remains active until the identity of the body and the cause and manner of death are determined.

Mendoza Olmos was last seen shortly before 7 a.m. on Christmas Eve leaving her home on foot in northwest San Antonio. Surveillance and dash-camera video released by authorities showed a person believed to be Mendoza Olmos walking along a nearby roadway around the time she disappeared.

Her family told authorities she left behind her cellphone and other personal items, behavior they described as out of character. Her car remained at the home.

Salazar said a firearm was found near the body, and investigators are examining whether it may be connected to the case. The weapon is believed to have belonged to a family member, but officials have not said whether it played any role in the death.
Authorities previously said they were considering multiple possibilities in the disappearance, including mental health concerns, voluntary departure or other circumstances. The sheriff reiterated Tuesday night that no conclusions have been reached.

The search for Mendoza Olmos involved sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents, drones, K-9 units and volunteers. Officials asked residents in the area to review surveillance footage and report any information that might assist investigators.

The medical examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to confirm the identity of the body and determine how the person died. No timeline has been provided for when results are expected.

By: Tom Manke

BREAKING - FEDS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND FREEZE ALL FEDERAL CHILD CARE PAYMENTS TO MINNESOTA Washington, DC - Friends Co...
12/31/2025

BREAKING - FEDS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND FREEZE ALL FEDERAL CHILD CARE PAYMENTS TO MINNESOTA

Washington, DC - Friends Community News Group, December 30, 2025, 9:00 p.m. ET - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday froze all federal child care payments to Minnesota amid allegations of widespread fraud involving daycare providers in the state, federal officials said.

Deputy HHS Secretary Jim O’Neill announced the action on social media, stating that the agency has halted approximately $185 million in annual child care funding to Minnesota and is demanding a comprehensive statewide audit of daycare centers tied to allegations of fraud.

“We have frozen all child care payments to the state of Minnesota,” O’Neill said in a post, adding that the department will now require detailed documentation — including receipts and photo evidence — before releasing similar funds to any state.

The freeze affects funds routed through the Administration for Children and Families, which subsidizes child care assistance for low-income families. Federal officials stated that the move is aimed at addressing concerns that taxpayer dollars intended to support working families may have been improperly claimed by providers who were not delivering services.

The funding action is tied to broader scrutiny of alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social services system, including recent claims that some day care centers received federal aid despite being non-operational or failing to provide adequate care. Federal agents, including those from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, have increased investigations in Minnesota into potential misuse of federal funds across multiple programs.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz criticized the HHS decision as politically motivated and said his administration has been working to combat fraud for years, including through audits and law enforcement referrals. Walz said freezing funds will harm families and providers who are operating legitimately.

HHS said it will only resume payments once it is assured that the funds are being spent appropriately and that a full audit of the state’s child care assistance program has been completed. Federal officials have not provided a timeline for that review.

By: Liam Anderson

San Antonio, Texas - Friends Community News Group, December 30, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET - Authorities released new dashboard ...
12/30/2025

San Antonio, Texas - Friends Community News Group, December 30, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET - Authorities released new dashboard camera footage showing what may be the last confirmed sighting of a 19-year-old Texas woman who vanished on Christmas Eve, intensifying the search for the missing teenager, officials said Tuesday.

Camila Mendoza Olmos was last seen in the early morning hours of Dec. 24, leaving her northwest Bexar County residence on foot shortly before 7 a.m., according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators believe the newly shared dashcam video, captured on Wildhorse Parkway near her home, shows a figure matching her description walking along the roadway at about the time she disappeared.

Sheriff Javier Salazar said authorities are not yet able to say with absolute certainty that the person in the dashcam footage is Mendoza Olmos, but noted that the clothing seen in the video matches what she was wearing when she was last seen on surveillance footage at her home.

Mendoza Olmos left behind her cell phone and iPad, an unusual detail that has raised concern among investigators and family members, who say she often goes on early morning walks but has never disappeared like this before. Her car remained in the driveway, and she was believed to be carrying only her car keys and possibly her driver’s license when she left.

The sheriff’s office has classified her disappearance as a case of “imminent danger,” and agencies including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are assisting in the investigation. Officials are exploring all possibilities — from a voluntary departure to abduction or self-harm — and have urged residents to share any surveillance or dashcam footage that might help.

Family members and volunteers have spent days searching the area near her home, distributing flyers and canvassing neighborhoods, while law enforcement continues to comb through leads. Anyone with information on Mendoza Olmos’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

FCNG - Staff
Photo: Camila Mendoza Olmos

BREAKING - Just Like In A Movie, Thieves Break Into A Bank Vault Over Christmas and Make Off With Millions.Berlin, Germa...
12/30/2025

BREAKING - Just Like In A Movie, Thieves Break Into A Bank Vault Over Christmas and Make Off With Millions.

Berlin, Germany - Friends Community News Group, December 30, 2025, 3:00 p.m. ET - Thieves took advantage of the quiet Christmas holiday period to drill their way into the vault of a German retail bank and steal at least 10 million euros ($10.9 million) in cash and valuables from customers’ safe-deposit boxes, police said Tuesday.

Investigators stated that the break-in occurred overnight, while the branch was closed, allowing the suspects time to breach the vault undetected.

Authorities did not immediately identify the bank or the exact location, citing the ongoing investigation and security concerns.

Police said that dozens of individual deposit boxes were forced open, and the losses largely belonged to private customers who stored cash, jewelry, and other valuables in the vault. No arrests have been announced.

Officers and forensic specialists continued to examine the scene and review surveillance footage from surrounding areas.

The police appealed to the public for information and stated that additional details would be released as the investigation progresses.

The case is being handled by regional police with support from criminal investigators specializing in major property crimes, according to authorities.

By: Liam Anderson
Image: Polizei Gelsenkirchen/dpa/picture alliance

Palm Beach, Florida - Friends Community News Group, December 29, 2025, 11:30 p.m. ET - President Donald Trump said Monda...
12/30/2025

Palm Beach, Florida - Friends Community News Group, December 29, 2025, 11:30 p.m. ET - President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States struck and destroyed a dock facility in Venezuela that he said was used to load boats with illegal drugs.

Speaking to reporters outside his Mar-a-Lago estate while greeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump described “a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” and said the facility “is no longer around.” He did not provide specifics on the location, when the strike occurred, or which U.S. agency carried it out.

“It’s the implementation area. There’s where they implement. And that is no longer around,” Trump said, without elaborating.

Trump’s comments come amid an intensified U.S. anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. The administration has previously launched strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels — at least 30 of which have been destroyed since September — in operations it characterizes as efforts to disrupt narcotics trafficking.

The president repeatedly declined to specify whether the strike on the Venezuelan dock was conducted by the U.S. military or the Central Intelligence Agency, saying only, “I know exactly who it was, but I don’t want to say who it was.”

The reported strike would be the first known U.S. land attack in Venezuela during the broader pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro’s government, which includes naval deployments, oil tanker seizures and repeated interdictions of maritime drug trafficking.

Maduro has denounced U.S. pressure and military actions as violations of sovereignty and has repeatedly accused Washington of seeking regime change, though Caracas has not yet publicly addressed the specific incident Trump described.

By: Liam Anderson
Photo: President Trump

BREAKING - ANOTHER JURY VERDICT SET ASIDE IN SHIAWASSEE COUNTY FOR INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNCIL.Corunna, MI - Frien...
12/30/2025

BREAKING - ANOTHER JURY VERDICT SET ASIDE IN SHIAWASSEE COUNTY FOR INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNCIL.

Corunna, MI - Friends Community News Group, December 29, 2025, 10:00 p.m. ET - Noah Boise Felony Conviction by a jury was set aside for the same reason Ivvy Knowlton's jury verdict was set aside - Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. Tiffany Hughes of the Shiawassee County Public Defender’s Office was the defense attorney for both trials.

Per Google search: Ineffective representation of counsel, or ineffective assistance of counsel (IAC), is a constitutional claim in criminal law where a defendant argues their lawyer's poor performance was so bad it violated their Sixth Amendment right to adequate legal help, leading to an unfair trial, requiring proof of deficient performance and resulting prejudice, such as missing key evidence or failing to object to prosecutor errors.

Both verdicts were set aside after 35th Circuit Court Judge Matthew Stewart told the Prosecutor and Director of the Public Defender’s Office that he had problems with both trials and he wanted the two of them to work it out. And they came back with request for a new trial. This way by taking care of it now, the court does not need to wait for the court of appeals to send them back.

It should be noted that Prosecuting Attorney Scott Koerner stated he did nothing wrong in his prosecution.

Both defendants will be given a new trial.

By: Tom Manke
Photo: Tiffany Hughes and Noah Boise

BREAKING - CORUNNA WOMAN CHARGED WITH 6 FELONIES INCLUDING CHILD SEXUALLY ABUSIVE ACTIVITY...Corunna, MI - A Corunna Wom...
12/30/2025

BREAKING - CORUNNA WOMAN CHARGED WITH 6 FELONIES INCLUDING CHILD SEXUALLY ABUSIVE ACTIVITY...

Corunna, MI - A Corunna Woman, Jessica Lyn Cameron, has been charged with the following six felonies. The case allegedly concerns a very young relation. Currently, we are only reporting on the charges. And in doing that, only printing word-for-word from court documents.

This is delicate since it involves a young child. If it is moved to trial, we will report more at that time. A man has been arrested and charged in Genesee County allegedly involved with these crimes.

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COUNTY OF SHIAWASSEE
COMPLAINT AND WARRANT
To any peace officer or court officer authorized to make arrest:
The complaining witness has filed a sworn complaint in this court stating that on the date and at the location described above, the defendant, contrary to law, committed the following offenses:
COUNT 1
CHILD SEXUALLY ABUSIVE ACTIVITY – AGGRAVATED
MCL 750.145c(2)(b) [750.145C2B]
The defendant did arrange for, produce, make, copy, reproduce, or finance child sexually abusive activity involving a prepubescent child.
SORA NOTICE:
This is a Tier II offense under the S*x Offender Registration Act (SORA).
It is a Tier III offense if the defendant has a prior conviction for a Tier II offense.
MCL 28.722(t) & (u).
FELONY PENALTY:
Up to 25 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $125,000.00.

COUNT 2
COMPUTERS – USING TO COMMIT A CRIME
(Maximum Imprisonment of 20 Years or More or Life)
MCL 752.796 and MCL 752.797(3)(f) [752.7973F]
The defendant did use a computer program, computer, computer system, or computer network to commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or solicit another to commit Child S*xually Abusive Activity – Aggravated, contrary to MCL 750.145c(2)(b).
FELONY PENALTY:
Up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $20,000.00; reimburse government for expenses incurred in relation to the violation pursuant to MCL 769.1f (see MCL 752.797(7)).
A consecutive sentence may be imposed for the underlying conviction.

COUNT 3
CHILD SEXUALLY ABUSIVE ACTIVITY – AGGRAVATED
MCL 750.145c(2)(b) [750.145C2B]
The defendant did arrange for, produce, make, copy, reproduce, or finance child sexually abusive activity involving a prepubescent child.
SORA NOTICE:
This is a Tier II offense under the S*x Offender Registration Act (SORA).
It is a Tier III offense if the defendant has a prior conviction for a Tier II offense.
MCL 28.722(t) & (u).
FELONY PENALTY:
Up to 25 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $125,000.00.

COUNT 4
COMPUTERS – USING TO COMMIT A CRIME
(Maximum Imprisonment of 20 Years or More or Life)
MCL 752.796 and MCL 752.797(3)(f) [752.7973F]
The defendant did use a computer program, computer, computer system, or computer network to commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or solicit another to commit Child S*xually Abusive Activity – Aggravated, contrary to MCL 750.145c(2)(b).
FELONY PENALTY:
Up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $20,000.00; reimburse government for expenses incurred in relation to the violation pursuant to MCL 769.1f (see MCL 752.797(7)).
A consecutive sentence may be imposed for the underlying conviction.

COUNT 5
CHILD SEXUALLY ABUSIVE ACTIVITY – AGGRAVATED
MCL 750.145c(2)(b) [750.145C2B]
The defendant did arrange for, produce, make, copy, reproduce, or finance child sexually abusive activity involving a prepubescent child.
SORA NOTICE:
This is a Tier II offense under the S*x Offender Registration Act (SORA).
It is a Tier III offense if the defendant has a prior conviction for a Tier II offense.
MCL 28.722(t) & (u).
FELONY PENALTY:
Up to 25 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $125,000.00.

COUNT 6
COMPUTERS – USING TO COMMIT A CRIME
MCL 752.797(3)(f) [752.7973F]
The defendant did use a computer program, computer, computer system, or computer network to commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or solicit another to commit 750.145C2B – Child S*xually Abusive Activity – Aggravated.
FELONY PENALTY:
Up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $20,000.00; reimburse government for expenses incurred in relation to the violation pursuant to MCL 769.1f (see MCL 752.797(7)).
A consecutive sentence may be imposed for the underlying conviction.

FCNG - Staff Reporting.
Photo: Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Office- Booking Photo: Jessica Lyn Cameron.

BREAKING - MURDER CHARGES EXPECTED  IN THE DEATH OF 14-YEAR-OLD Los Angeles, California - Friends Community News Group, ...
12/29/2025

BREAKING - MURDER CHARGES EXPECTED IN THE DEATH OF 14-YEAR-OLD

Los Angeles, California - Friends Community News Group, December 29, 2025, 5:30 p.m. ET - A grand jury weighing evidence in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez has reached a pivotal point that could lead to a murder indictment against singer-rapper D4vd, marking a significant development in a case that has gripped Southern California and the music world.

Prosecutors believe they have amassed sufficient testimony for jurors to vote on charges against the 20-year-old artist born David Anthony Burke, whose rise in the music industry has been overshadowed since the remains of the missing teenager were found inside a Tesla registered in his name.

Grand Jury Nears Indictment Vote
A Los Angeles County grand jury convened earlier this month and is now expected to consider whether to indict D4vd on murder charges in connection with Rivas Hernandez’s death, according to law enforcement sources cited by TMZ and other outlets. Jurors have been hearing testimony from witnesses, including music-industry figures, and are understood to be acting as an indictment panel rather than purely investigative jurors.

Sources told TMZ that Los Angeles County prosecutor Beth Silverman and law enforcement believe D4vd was involved in the teen’s death and are pushing for formal charges. Testimony reportedly included questioning of D4vd’s manager about why he did not alert authorities when evidence surfaced.

Legal experts note that grand juries generally follow prosecutorial direction, and defendants do not present a defense at that stage. Witnesses may continue to be heard into early 2026.

The investigation began in September 2025 after Los Angeles police discovered the partially decomposed remains of Celeste Rivas Hernandez in the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to D4vd. The 14-year-old, who had been reported missing in the spring of 2024, was identified by the county medical examiner following a painstaking forensic process.

Rivas Hernandez’s remains were found after neighbors reported a foul smell emanating from the abandoned vehicle — which had been ticketed for parking violations and towed days earlier — prompting a homicide investigation.

Law enforcement has described the probe as ongoing and complex, with investigators examining digital records, communication timelines, and the singer’s movements in the months before the body was discovered. Authorities have previously executed search warrants, seized electronic devices, and questioned multiple individuals close to the case; however, no charges have been publicly filed as of Wednesday.

Despite mounting evidence presented to the grand jury, prosecutors have made no formal charging announcement. D4vd has not been arrested in connection with the death, though photos, internet posts, and public reaction have fueled speculation and scrutiny since the case emerged.

The medical examiner has not released a definitive cause of death, compounding the challenges for prosecutors seeking to prove a homicide in court, and a court order briefly blocked release of the coroner’s findings — a decision now contested by the medical examiner’s office.

The case has triggered widespread attention, with fans and critics alike weighing in on social media. Some music collaborators have distanced themselves from D4vd, and community grief over Rivas Hernandez’s death has drawn public memorials and commentary.

If the grand jury votes to indict, prosecutors would set the stage for formal charges and arraignment, moving the case into a high-stakes criminal prosecution. Until then, authorities continue to gather evidence behind closed doors, as Los Angeles County’s legal process unfolds amid intense public interest.

Address

2910 W M-21
Owosso, MI
48867

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Friends and Community Shiawassee County News and Views:

Share