Disclaimer: This article contains details about an ongoing investigation into the death of a minor. It also discusses allegations of an inappropriate relationship between an adult and an underage individual, which may be distressing to some readers.
The discovery of a body in a towed Tesla has spiralled into a high-profile investigation – entangling a rising music star, a missing teenager, and a series of eerie connections that have horrified the public. The haunting case involves singer David Anthony Burke, known professionally as d4vd, and 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed body was found in the boot of his impounded car.
Below is a comprehensive timeline of the known facts and developments in this ongoing investigation.
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The Discovery: A Foul Odour In A Tow Yard
On 8 September 2025, Los Angeles police officers were called to a vehicle impound lot in Hollywood after staff reported a ‘foul odour’ coming from a car. The vehicle, a Tesla, had been towed from the Hollywood Hills on 5 September after being reported abandoned.
Inside the car’s front trunk (or ‘frunk’), authorities found severely decomposed and mutilated human remains. The body, wrapped in plastic, was in such an advanced state of decomposition that it was not fully intact. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner was summoned to the scene to begin the investigation.
Identifying The Victim
On Wednesday, 18 September, the Los Angeles County Coroner officially identified the victim as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, a 15-year-old from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Rivas was reported missing on 5 April 2024 – more than a year before her remains were discovered. She was just 13 at the time she vanished.
The coroner’s report described Rivas as approximately 5 foot 1, with wavy black hair. At the time of discovery, she was dressed in a tube top and black leggings, along with a yellow metal bracelet and small metal stud earrings. A distinctive identifying mark was a tattoo on her right index finger bearing the word: ‘Shhh…’
Her official cause and manner of death have been recorded as ‘pending further investigation’ – awaiting results from toxicology reports and additional forensic examinations.
Connecting The Car To A Rising Star
Police swiftly traced the vehicle’s registration to David Anthony Burke – the 20-year-old singer and social media sensation known professionally as d4vd. Originally from Hempstead, Texas, Burke first rose to prominence as a video game content creator on YouTube, before pivoting to music. His 2022 singles ‘Romantic Homicide’ and ‘Here with Me’ went viral on TikTok, launching him into global stardom. Since then, he’s released acclaimed EPs, collected industry awards, supported SZA on tour, and was in the midst of a world tour promoting his debut album, ‘Withered,’ when the discovery was made.
A senior LAPD source confirmed the impounded Tesla was one of several vehicles registered to the artist, adding that ‘numerous individuals’ had regular access to his cars. The vehicle had been left abandoned in the Hollywood Hills; neighbours told local media it had sat untouched for roughly a month before being towed away.
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Eerie Connections And Emerging Clues
The investigation took a chilling turn with the emergence of several haunting details:
1. The Matching Tattoos
Both Celeste Rivas and d4vd bear an identical ‘Shhh…’ tattoos on their right index fingers. While the design itself isn’t rare – stars like Rihanna and Lindsay Lohan have worn similar ink – its shared presence between the teenager and the singer has become a focal point for detectives. Crucially, no publicly available images of d4vd show the tattoo prior to April 2024. It first appears in photos dated September 2024 – months after Celeste vanished.
2. A Leaked Song Named ‘Celeste’
In December 2023, an unreleased demo track titled ‘Celeste_Demo unfin,’ attributed to d4vd, began circulating online. The haunting lyrics depict an intense, obsessive fixation on someone named Celeste – ‘the girl with my name tattooed on her chest’ – whose lingering presence is likened to the smell of cigarettes on clothing. Lines such as ‘I’m afraid you’ll only love me when undressed’ and ‘missing Celeste makes me depressed’ suggest emotional vulnerability and romantic desperation.
Notably, the leak predates public reports of Celeste Rivas’ disappearance in April 2024, raising questions about whether the song was written before her vanishing – and whether its subject is connected to the real-life case. While no official confirmation links the song to Rivas, the coincidence of names and timing has fueled online speculation.
3. Photographic And Geographic Links
A photograph that recently surfaced online appears to place d4vd in Lake Elsinore, California – the same city where Celeste Rivas resided prior to her disappearance. The location depicted is reportedly within walking distance of Rivas’ family home, raising even more questions about potential proximity or contact.
In a separate, widely circulated image, d4vd is seen alongside a girl who bears a striking physical resemblance to Rivas. While the photo has fuelled speculation across social media and true crime communities, law enforcement has not verified the identity of the person in the image – nor confirmed any direct link between d4vd and Rivas.
4. Family Statements
In interviews, Rivas’s mother revealed that her daughter had been dating a man named David prior to her disappearance. She expressed deep suspicion upon learning that the body was discovered in a Tesla registered to someone by that name. Devastated by the loss, the family has since launched a GoFundMe page, describing themselves as ‘heartbroken and shattered by this unimaginable tragedy.’
The Investigation Intensifies
The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division is spearheading the investigation. On 18 September, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the Hollywood Hills – a location law enforcement sources told local media was where d4vd had been staying.
‘Several items of potential evidentiary value were recovered and will undergo forensic analysis in the coming days,’ an LAPD spokesperson confirmed. ‘Investigators are actively pursuing multiple leads.’ According to reports, the search was exhaustive: officers meticulously combed the property and even inspected nearby storm drains, looking for trace evidence such as blood or biological material.
While the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office initially stated to media outlets that the LAPD was ‘investigating this incident as a homicide,’ the LAPD later issued a clarification – and an apology for the premature characterisation. Officials emphasised that the official manner of death remains undetermined, pending the final determination by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
The case remains under intense scrutiny as forensic analysis continues and new leads are vetted.
Fallout And Current Status
As of now, d4vd has not been arrested nor formally named a suspect. His representative confirmed he has been ‘made aware of the situation’ and is ‘fully cooperating with authorities.’ Nevertheless, the professional and public fallout has been immediate and severe:
- On 16 September, he cancelled his scheduled performance in Seattle, followed by subsequent cancellations of shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- All international tour dates – including highly anticipated appearances in London and beyond – have been indefinitely suspended.
- Major brand partners, including Crocs and Hollister, which have recently featured him in high-profile campaigns, have severed ties and removed all associated promotional content.
- His record label, Interscope Records, has paused all active collaborations – including the planned deluxe edition of his album ‘Withered,’ which has been shelved indefinitely.
Meanwhile, the investigation remains active and developing. Detectives are working to reconstruct the timeline of events, clarify the nature of the relationship between d4vd and Celeste Rivas, and determine the precise circumstances surrounding her death – including how and why her body was found in the trunk of his vehicle.
The LAPD continues to urge anyone with information – no matter how small or seemingly insignificant – to come forward and contact its Robbery-Homicide Division.
This is a developing story.
Catherine Pun
A Hong Kong native with Filipino-Chinese roots, Catherine infuses every part of her life with zest, whether she’s belting out karaoke tunes or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her downtime often includes unwinding with Netflix and indulging in a 10-step skincare routine. As the Editorial Director of Friday Club., Catherine brings her wealth of experience from major publishing houses, where she refined her craft and even authored a book. Her sharp editorial insight makes her a dynamic force, always on the lookout for the next compelling narrative.
