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The music world was shaken after the discovery of a body inside a Tesla registered to singer-songwriter David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name d4vd. The vehicle had been abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and later impounded at a tow yard, where workers noticed a foul odor. Upon inspection, authorities found human remains in the vehicle’s front trunk.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified the body as that of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas, a girl from Riverside County who had been missing since April 2024, when she was around 13 years old. The cause of death has not yet been determined, with the medical examiner listing it as deferred pending further investigation.
The case has sparked controversy due to reports suggesting a possible connection between d4vd and Rivas. The teenager’s mother told investigators that her daughter had a boyfriend named “David.” Additionally, photographs shared online appear to show both Rivas and Burke with matching “Shhh…” tattoos on their right index fingers, fueling speculation that they were romantically involved.
Further questions arose when online users began sharing screenshots of Discord conversations from 2022 between accounts identified as belonging to Rivas and Burke. If authentic, these chats suggest they had been in contact since Rivas was about 11 years old, raising concerns about the nature of their relationship.
Despite the speculation, authorities have not confirmed that Burke and Rivas were romantically involved, nor have they charged the artist with any crime in connection to her death. Law enforcement officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and Burke is reportedly cooperating fully.
The discovery has left fans and the public grappling with both grief and unanswered questions. Advocates for transparency are urging investigators to release more information about the timeline of events, how long Rivas’s remains had been in the vehicle, and who else may have had access to it.
The controversy has also had a major impact on d4vd’s career. Scheduled performances and promotional appearances have been quietly canceled, while his label has faced mounting pressure to issue a statement. Streaming numbers for his music initially spiked as public interest surged, but have since shown signs of decline amid the ongoing scrutiny. Until law enforcement provides clear findings, speculation will likely continue to dominate the conversation, leaving both the music industry and the public searching for answers.
