The decomposed remains of a missing 15-year-old girl were discovered in the impounded Tesla of popular singer D4vd on September 8, 2025, at a Hollywood tow yard after workers reported a foul odor coming from the vehicle.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Celeste Rivas on September 17, 2025. Rivas had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, on April 5, 2024, when she was 13 years old.
The Tesla is registered to David Anthony Burke, professionally known as D4vd, whose real name matches the vehicle’s registration records. Burke was performing on his Withered World Tour at the time of the discovery, having performed in Minneapolis on the evening before the remains were found.
Law enforcement sources indicated the vehicle had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills for five days before being towed to the impound lot. The car remained at Hollywood Tow for two additional days before authorities were called to investigate the suspicious odor on September 8, 2025, at 12:20 p.m.
Police discovered Rivas’ severely decomposed remains in the front trunk of the Tesla. The medical examiner’s office described the victim as approximately five feet two inches tall, weighing about 71 pounds, with wavy black hair. She was wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow metal chain bracelet, and metal stud earrings when found. Investigators noted a distinctive tattoo on her right index finger reading “Shhh.”
The condition of the remains indicated Rivas had been deceased for an extended period before discovery. Law enforcement sources told multiple outlets that the body was not intact due to the advanced state of decomposition, complicating the identification process and cause of death determination.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they do not currently have a crime classification from the coroner regarding the mode or manner of death. The Robbery-Homicide Division is leading the investigation, though no arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office initially referred to the case as a homicide investigation but later issued a correction, clarifying that the Los Angeles Police Department serves as the lead agency and apologizing for the mischaracterization. The LAPD emphasized that without a coroner’s determination on cause of death, “we do not have any suspect information at this time.”
Burke rose to fame through social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where he has 3.8 million followers. Born in Queens, New York, on March 28, 2005, he later moved to Houston, Texas. His music career began when he started creating original songs to avoid copyright issues with his Fortnite gaming videos on YouTube.
The singer’s breakthrough came with his 2022 release “Romantic Homicide,” which reached Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. His song “Here With Me” has garnered over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify. Burke released his debut album “Withered” in April 2025 and has collaborated with major artists, including SZA, for whom he opened during her 2023 SOS Tour.
Following the identification of Rivas’ remains, Burke canceled his scheduled September 17 performance in Seattle. His spokesperson confirmed to multiple news outlets that the singer has been informed about the situation and is fully cooperating with authorities while continuing his tour.
Law enforcement sources revealed that Burke owns several vehicles, with multiple individuals having access to use any of the cars at various times. The Tesla in question carries Texas license plates and was registered in Hempstead, Texas, under Burke’s legal name.
ABC7 Los Angeles reported that authorities executed a search warrant overnight at a Hollywood Hills residence where Burke had been staying, though he does not own the property. The search represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding Rivas’ death and how she ended up in the vehicle.
The case has prompted several companies to distance themselves from Burke, with reports indicating that Crocs and Hollister ended their collaboration agreements shortly after news of the discovery became public.
Burke remains scheduled to perform upcoming tour dates, including shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles, while the investigation continues.