Authorities have confirmed the identity of the remains of a 15-year-old girl found in the trunk of a Tesla belonging to an R&B singer in Los Angeles earlier this month. The girl, named Celeste Rivas, hailed from Lake Elsinore, as reported by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office. While the cause of death remains undetermined, law enforcement is investigating the case as a homicide.
Celeste Rivas was reported missing to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office on April 5, 2024. Her severely decomposed body was discovered in the vehicle at Hollywood Tow on September 8, after the Tesla was impounded by authorities. The Los Angeles Police Department stated that the vehicle had been abandoned for five days in the Hollywood Hills before it was taken to the tow yard. A foul odor emanating from the Tesla prompted someone to alert the detectives, who subsequently arrived at the scene to investigate.
The black Tesla in question is registered to David Anthony Burke, a 20-year-old musician known professionally as D4vd. Burke was reportedly on tour when the remains of Celeste Rivas were discovered. According to law enforcement sources familiar with the ongoing investigation, Burke has been cooperating with the authorities as they seek to piece together the events surrounding Rivas’s tragic death.
Upon examination, the medical examiner’s office noted that Celeste Rivas was found in a severely decomposed state inside the vehicle. She was reportedly wearing a tube top and small black leggings at the time of discovery. Additional personal items included a metal stud earring and a yellow metal chain bracelet. “The decedent was found severely decomposed inside a vehicle,” stated the medical examiner’s office, adding that she appeared to have been deceased for an extended period prior to being found.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not disclosed whether Celeste Rivas had any prior contact with David Burke. Meanwhile, Burke is scheduled to perform at the Greek Theatre this Saturday and has a sold-out show at the Grammy Museum on September 24. The ongoing investigation into this heartbreaking case is expected to reveal more details in the coming days.
