Musician D4vd Under Scrutiny in Death of Teen Found in Tesla Trunk
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The investigation into the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas continues to unfold, with authorities now focusing on musician D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, and another individual as persons of interest. The discovery of Rivas’ remains in the trunk of a Tesla registered to the artist has revealed disturbing details, including evidence suggesting her body parts were frozen before being found.
The Discovery and Condition of the Remains
On September 8, investigators discovered Celeste Rivas’ body dismembered and in what was described as “horrendous condition” inside the trunk of D4vd’s abandoned Tesla. The vehicle had been parked for several days on a Hollywood Hills street near the musician’s rental home before being removed by tow operators. According to reports, all of her body parts were reportedly “partially frozen” and had been thawing.
The condition of the remains has led the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner to believe they will likely be unable to determine a definitive cause of death. A senior official stated the cause of death “will most likely be ‘undetermined.’”
Homicide Investigation and Second Suspect
Law enforcement officials are treating Celeste Rivas’ death as a homicide, believing Burke may have played a role in the teenager’s killing. Following this development, LAPD detectives identified a second suspect in connection with the murder of Celeste Rivas Hernández.
According to TMZ founder Harvey Levin and attorney Mark Geragos, who discussed the case on their podcast, the second suspect likely did not directly cause the teen’s death but is suspected of assisting in the dismemberment of her remains. As of today, no arrests have been made.
Emerging Details and Investigative Leads
Investigators are meticulously working to piece together the events leading to Rivas’ death, utilizing a combination of cellphone data, Tesla vehicle data, and location information gleaned from social media. A crucial detail emerged from the investigation: reports indicate the “Romantic Homicide” singer allegedly took a late-night trip to a remote location for several hours in spring 2025. Geragos believes this detail could be pivotal to understanding the circumstances surrounding the case.
Celeste Rivas was last seen by her family in 2024 when she was 13 years old. While investigators have not officially confirmed a relationship between Rivas and Burke, Celeste’s mother reportedly told TMZ that her daughter had a boyfriend named David.
The investigation has already begun to have repercussions beyond the immediate legal proceedings. Singer Kali Uchis has announced she will remove a collaboration with D4vd from streaming platforms, as reported by several outlets.
The case remains ongoing, and authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as they seek to uncover the full truth behind the tragic death of Celeste Rivas.
