A shocking discovery was made on September 8, when the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) found a decomposing body in the trunk of a Tesla belonging to American singer d4vd. The remains were identified on Wednesday as those of Celeste Rivas, a missing California teenager. This case has captured widespread attention online, sparking discussions across various platforms in the United States. Here’s what we know so far about this tragic incident.
David Anthony Burke, better known as d4vd, is a 20-year-old American singer and songwriter who has rapidly gained popularity in the music industry. Born in Queens, New York, d4vd began his musical journey in 2021 by releasing tracks on SoundCloud and posting music videos on his YouTube channel. His breakout moment came with the release of his song “Romantic Homicide” in September 2022, which has since amassed an impressive 179 million views. The audio for this track was released earlier, in July 2022, and a snippet that went viral on TikTok included the haunting lyrics: “In the back of my mind. You died. And I didn’t even cry. No, not a single tear.”
D4vd continued to rise in popularity with another hit titled “Here With Me,” which he released on YouTube in November 2022. This video has garnered over 244 million views, featuring the memorable line: “I don’t care how long it takes, as long as I’m with you, I’ve got a smile on my face.” Currently, d4vd is on tour, performing across various cities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. His most recent performance took place in Minneapolis just days ago.
The LAPD's discovery of the remains occurred at approximately 12:20 PM (19:20 GMT) in a Tesla that had been towed to a Hollywood yard after being abandoned for five days. The circumstances surrounding the car's abandonment remain unclear, as authorities have not disclosed who was responsible for towing it. Police were alerted to the vehicle's presence after receiving reports of a foul odor emanating from it, according to a report from the BBC.
LAPD Officer Charles Miller mentioned that the car had likely been towed “a couple of days” prior to the discovery of the remains. Initially, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office faced challenges in identifying the deceased individual, noting only that she was approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighed around 31 kilograms (70 pounds). She was found wearing a tube top and size small black leggings, and had distinctive features, including wavy black hair, a yellow metal stud earring, and a chain bracelet. A tattoo reading “Shhh” was also noted on her index finger.
On Wednesday, the LAPD confirmed that the body belonged to Celeste Rivas, who had been reported missing last year at the age of 13. Originally from Lake Elsinore, California, approximately 70 miles from Los Angeles, Rivas was last seen on April 5, 2024. As she would now be 15 years old, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death remain shrouded in mystery, as authorities have yet to determine the cause and timing of her death.
As of now, d4vd is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, although it remains unclear whether he has been formally arrested. The LAPD has stated that there is currently no crime classification from the coroner regarding the mode or manner of death, which means that no suspects have been identified at this time. In light of these developments, d4vd has canceled a scheduled show in Seattle that was supposed to take place on Wednesday.
