Topline: Authorities say the 20-year-old musician is not cooperating as investigators probe how 15-year-old Celeste Rivas’ dismembered remains ended up inside the vehicle’s front trunk.
Published: November 19, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Background: D4vd, whose real name is David Burke.
(Photo via Instagram / @d4vddd) Inset: Celeste Rivas (via Riverside County Sheriff’s Department)
LOS ANGELES, CA — Singer-songwriter D4vd, the 20-year-old Houston-based artist whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is now formally considered a suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, according to multiple law enforcement sources cited by KNBC and ABC News.
Investigators say the teen’s decomposed body was found Sept. 8 inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after workers at Hollywood Tow reported a strong odor coming from the impounded vehicle.
According to KNBC, an LAPD source with direct knowledge of the case said Burke has “not been cooperative” with detectives.
ABC News also reported that same assessment, adding that investigators believe the process of dismembering and disposing of the body likely involved more than one person. Detectives have been “in contact with multiple people” they believe were connected to the case in some way, ABC News reported, though no arrests have been made.
Celeste, a Lake Elsinore teen reported missing last year, was identified through forensics, according to KNBC. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined her cause and manner of death, though investigators told ABC News they believe that ruling is imminent and crucial to determining potential charges.
Police told KNBC that Celeste likely died in the spring. A law enforcement source speaking to NBC News said the remains “were not intact.” The LAPD has treated the case as a death investigation, though detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division are leading it, ABC News reported.
Workers at the tow yard discovered the body two days after the Tesla—bearing Texas plates—was towed from a Hollywood Hills street. Neighbors told KNBC the car had been sitting there “more than a month” before someone finally reported it abandoned. Inside the frunk, officers found a bag containing Celeste’s decomposed and disnembered remains, police told NBC4 Investigates and ABC News.
As CrimeCod previously reported in earlier coverage, detectives had already searched a Hollywood Hills home where Burke had been staying. ABC News said investigators removed a computer and several other items during that search. The LAPD confirmed that evidence was recovered and would be analyzed, describing the case as an ongoing, active investigation.
Celeste had last been seen April 5, 2024, in the Lake Elsinore area. Her brother told NBCLA that she knew Burke and was supposed to meet him at a movie the night she vanished. The medical examiner noted she was found wearing a tube top, black leggings, stud earrings, a yellow metal bracelet, and had a “Shhh…” tattoo on her right index finger.
At the time Celeste’s remains were discovered, Burke was performing his “Withered” world tour—having started Aug. 5—with shows in Minneapolis and Kansas City scheduled around the same dates, according to KNBC.
After authorities identified the body, ABC News reported that a Los Angeles show at the Greek Theatre, along with multiple U.S. and European tour dates, were canceled. Promotion for the deluxe edition of his debut album was also paused.
Burke, who rose to fame on TikTok under the name D4vd, has nearly four million followers across platforms. He began building an online audience as a teenager on YouTube, producing Fortnite content before turning to music. His track “Romantic Homicide” became a viral hit, leading to record deals with Darkroom and Interscope.
ABC News reported that D4vd’s representatives have not responded to repeated requests for comment. Police continue examining evidence while awaiting the medical examiner’s findings, which investigators say will be critical to advancing the case.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Singer D4vd’s Tour Halted as Police ID Woman’s Body Found in His Car as Missing Teen
Decomposed Body Found in Car Registered to Singer D4vd at Hollywood Tow Yard
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Sources: Singer D4vd Named Suspect After Teen’s Body Found in His Impounded Tesla
Authorities say the 20-year-old musician is not cooperating as investigators probe how 15-year-old Celeste Rivas’ dismembered remains ended up inside the vehicle’s front trunk.
By Jacob Charles
Published: November 19, 2025 8:00 am ET
Background: D4vd, whose real name is David Burke.
(Photo via Instagram / @d4vddd) Inset: Celeste Rivas (via Riverside County Sheriff’s Department)
LOS ANGELES, CA — Singer-songwriter D4vd, the 20-year-old Houston-based artist whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is now formally considered a suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, according to multiple law enforcement sources cited by KNBC and ABC News.
Investigators say the teen’s decomposed body was found Sept. 8 inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after workers at Hollywood Tow reported a strong odor coming from the impounded vehicle.
According to KNBC, an LAPD source with direct knowledge of the case said Burke has “not been cooperative” with detectives.
ABC News also reported that same assessment, adding that investigators believe the process of dismembering and disposing of the body likely involved more than one person. Detectives have been “in contact with multiple people” they believe were connected to the case in some way, ABC News reported, though no arrests have been made.
Celeste, a Lake Elsinore teen reported missing last year, was identified through forensics, according to KNBC. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined her cause and manner of death, though investigators told ABC News they believe that ruling is imminent and crucial to determining potential charges.
Police told KNBC that Celeste likely died in the spring. A law enforcement source speaking to NBC News said the remains “were not intact.” The LAPD has treated the case as a death investigation, though detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division are leading it, ABC News reported.
Workers at the tow yard discovered the body two days after the Tesla—bearing Texas plates—was towed from a Hollywood Hills street. Neighbors told KNBC the car had been sitting there “more than a month” before someone finally reported it abandoned. Inside the frunk, officers found a bag containing Celeste’s decomposed and disnembered remains, police told NBC4 Investigates and ABC News.
As CrimeCod previously reported in earlier coverage, detectives had already searched a Hollywood Hills home where Burke had been staying. ABC News said investigators removed a computer and several other items during that search. The LAPD confirmed that evidence was recovered and would be analyzed, describing the case as an ongoing, active investigation.
Celeste had last been seen April 5, 2024, in the Lake Elsinore area. Her brother told NBCLA that she knew Burke and was supposed to meet him at a movie the night she vanished. The medical examiner noted she was found wearing a tube top, black leggings, stud earrings, a yellow metal bracelet, and had a “Shhh…” tattoo on her right index finger.
At the time Celeste’s remains were discovered, Burke was performing his “Withered” world tour—having started Aug. 5—with shows in Minneapolis and Kansas City scheduled around the same dates, according to KNBC.
After authorities identified the body, ABC News reported that a Los Angeles show at the Greek Theatre, along with multiple U.S. and European tour dates, were canceled. Promotion for the deluxe edition of his debut album was also paused.
Burke, who rose to fame on TikTok under the name D4vd, has nearly four million followers across platforms. He began building an online audience as a teenager on YouTube, producing Fortnite content before turning to music. His track “Romantic Homicide” became a viral hit, leading to record deals with Darkroom and Interscope.
ABC News reported that D4vd’s representatives have not responded to repeated requests for comment. Police continue examining evidence while awaiting the medical examiner’s findings, which investigators say will be critical to advancing the case.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Singer D4vd’s Tour Halted as Police ID Woman’s Body Found in His Car as Missing Teen
Decomposed Body Found in Car Registered to Singer D4vd at Hollywood Tow Yard
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Sources: Singer D4vd Named Suspect After Teen’s Body Found in His Impounded Tesla
Authorities say the 20-year-old musician is not cooperating as investigators probe how 15-year-old Celeste Rivas’ dismembered remains ended up inside the vehicle’s front trunk.
By Jacob Charles
Published: November 19, 2025 8:00 am ET
Background: D4vd, whose real name is David Burke.
(Photo via Instagram / @d4vddd) Inset: Celeste Rivas (via Riverside County Sheriff’s Department)
LOS ANGELES, CA — Singer-songwriter D4vd, the 20-year-old Houston-based artist whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is now formally considered a suspect in the death of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, according to multiple law enforcement sources cited by KNBC and ABC News.
Investigators say the teen’s decomposed body was found Sept. 8 inside the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke after workers at Hollywood Tow reported a strong odor coming from the impounded vehicle.
According to KNBC, an LAPD source with direct knowledge of the case said Burke has “not been cooperative” with detectives.
ABC News also reported that same assessment, adding that investigators believe the process of dismembering and disposing of the body likely involved more than one person. Detectives have been “in contact with multiple people” they believe were connected to the case in some way, ABC News reported, though no arrests have been made.
Celeste, a Lake Elsinore teen reported missing last year, was identified through forensics, according to KNBC. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined her cause and manner of death, though investigators told ABC News they believe that ruling is imminent and crucial to determining potential charges.
Police told KNBC that Celeste likely died in the spring. A law enforcement source speaking to NBC News said the remains “were not intact.” The LAPD has treated the case as a death investigation, though detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division are leading it, ABC News reported.
Workers at the tow yard discovered the body two days after the Tesla—bearing Texas plates—was towed from a Hollywood Hills street. Neighbors told KNBC the car had been sitting there “more than a month” before someone finally reported it abandoned. Inside the frunk, officers found a bag containing Celeste’s decomposed and disnembered remains, police told NBC4 Investigates and ABC News.
As CrimeCod previously reported in earlier coverage, detectives had already searched a Hollywood Hills home where Burke had been staying. ABC News said investigators removed a computer and several other items during that search. The LAPD confirmed that evidence was recovered and would be analyzed, describing the case as an ongoing, active investigation.
Celeste had last been seen April 5, 2024, in the Lake Elsinore area. Her brother told NBCLA that she knew Burke and was supposed to meet him at a movie the night she vanished. The medical examiner noted she was found wearing a tube top, black leggings, stud earrings, a yellow metal bracelet, and had a “Shhh…” tattoo on her right index finger.
At the time Celeste’s remains were discovered, Burke was performing his “Withered” world tour—having started Aug. 5—with shows in Minneapolis and Kansas City scheduled around the same dates, according to KNBC.
After authorities identified the body, ABC News reported that a Los Angeles show at the Greek Theatre, along with multiple U.S. and European tour dates, were canceled. Promotion for the deluxe edition of his debut album was also paused.
Burke, who rose to fame on TikTok under the name D4vd, has nearly four million followers across platforms. He began building an online audience as a teenager on YouTube, producing Fortnite content before turning to music. His track “Romantic Homicide” became a viral hit, leading to record deals with Darkroom and Interscope.
ABC News reported that D4vd’s representatives have not responded to repeated requests for comment. Police continue examining evidence while awaiting the medical examiner’s findings, which investigators say will be critical to advancing the case.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Singer D4vd’s Tour Halted as Police ID Woman’s Body Found in His Car as Missing Teen
Decomposed Body Found in Car Registered to Singer D4vd at Hollywood Tow Yard
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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