Body of Missing Inland Empire Teen Found in Tesla Registered to Rising Singer D4vd
The body of a missing Inland Empire teenager has been identified after being discovered inside a Tesla at a Los Angeles impound lot, a case now under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.
The body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas was found in a Tesla registered to singer D4vd, prompting an LAPD death investigation.
Authorities confirmed the victim as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, who had been missing for nearly 18 months before her remains were found on September 8 at Hollywood Tow. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified Rivas through a tattoo on her right index finger that read “Shhh…,” which her mother recognized.
Max Durante
The medical examiner’s office reported that Rivas’ body was in an advanced state of decomposition, delaying determination of cause and manner of death. Officials noted she appeared to have been deceased inside the vehicle for an extended period before discovery.
Investigators revealed that Rivas’ remains, described as dismembered and placed in a bag, were found in the front trunk of the Tesla. The vehicle was traced to 20-year-old recording artist D4vd, a rising music star whose career began with viral popularity on TikTok and SoundCloud.
Born David Burke in Queens, New York, D4vd gained recognition in 2022 and has since performed with SZA, appeared at Coachella, and signed with Darkroom/Interscope. His debut album Withered, released in April, features tracks largely recorded on his iPhone in his sister’s closet. With more than 32 million monthly Spotify listeners, he has emerged as one of the fastest-growing voices in contemporary music.
The Tesla involved in the case carried Texas plates and was one of several vehicles linked to Burke. According to law enforcement sources, multiple people may have had access to the car. A strong odor reported from the vehicle led to the discovery of Rivas’ body and the subsequent call to homicide detectives.
Following the identification, upcoming stops on D4vd’s Withered World Tour were canceled, including performances scheduled in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The singer, currently based in the Hollywood Hills, is said to be cooperating with investigators as they review possible connections between him and Rivas.
Detectives are examining images of Rivas from 2024 to establish why she may have been in the area and whether she had any association with Burke. No suspects or persons of interest have been publicly identified. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s findings will determine whether the case proceeds as a homicide investigation.
