The investigation surrounding the discovery of a severely decomposing body at a Los Angeles impound lot has taken a shocking turn. The body, found inside a Tesla registered to rising star singer D4vd, has been identified as that of Celeste Rivas, a 15-year-old girl who had been missing for nearly 18 months. The grim discovery was made on September 8 at Hollywood Tow, prompting a potential homicide investigation.
Celeste Rivas was identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, who noted a distinctive tattoo on her right index finger that reads “Shhh…”. This crucial detail led her mother to contact news outlet TMZ, as reported by the L.A. Times. The cause and manner of Rivas’ death remain undetermined, with the medical examiner's office stating that the examination is taking longer than anticipated due to the severe decomposition of the remains. “The deceased was found severely decomposed inside a vehicle,” a statement from the medical examiner’s office revealed. “She appears to have been deceased inside the vehicle for an extended period of time before being found.”
The case gained national attention upon the identification of D4vd as the owner of the Tesla, where Rivas’ remains were found in a bag located in the car's front trunk. D4vd, a 20-year-old artist who made waves on TikTok and SoundCloud in 2022, quickly rose to fame, opening for artists like SZA and performing at Coachella before the release of his debut album, Withered, in April. D4vd, born David Burke in Queens, New York, has amassed 32 million monthly listeners on Spotify and has a record deal with Darkroom/Interscope.
Raised in a Christian household with a deep appreciation for gospel and classical music, D4vd's career trajectory took him from Houston to Los Angeles, where he currently resides in the Hollywood Hills. Despite his rapid rise to fame, D4vd has yet to purchase a permanent home. The abandoned Tesla, which had a Texas license plate, was flagged by authorities due to a foul odor emanating from the vehicle, prompting a call to homicide detectives.
In light of these disturbing events, D4vd's scheduled tour dates have been impacted. His performance in Seattle was canceled, and additional shows planned for San Francisco at the Filmore and Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre have also been called off. Sources indicate that D4vd is cooperating with the investigation as detectives explore any possible connections between him and Rivas.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is currently leading the investigation into Rivas’ death. Detectives are reviewing photos of Rivas from 2024, seeking to uncover why she may have been in the area and whether there are further ties to Burke. As of now, no person of interest has been publicly named in the investigation. Authorities await further findings from the Medical Examiner to determine whether this case will be classified as a homicide.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the tragic loss of a young life, while questions remain about the circumstances surrounding her death. Updates will follow as more information becomes available, particularly regarding D4vd's representatives and their responses to this heartbreaking situation.
