Tragedy has struck a family and shocked a community after the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas was found inside a car registered to Houston singer David Burke, known as d4vd. Celeste had been missing since April 2024.
The heartbreaking discovery happened on September 8 at a tow yard in Los Angeles. Workers noticed a strong, unpleasant smell coming from the front trunk — often called the “frunk” — of a Tesla Model 3. When police checked, they found Celeste’s remains inside a black plastic bag.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, making it difficult to identify her at first. But thanks to dental records and other details, investigators confirmed it was Celeste earlier this week.
Celeste was last seen in Lake Elsinore, a small city in Riverside County, over a year ago. Since then, her family and police have been searching tirelessly, hoping for answers.
The Tesla was abandoned in the Hollywood Hills and later towed to the impound lot. The vehicle was registered to David Burke, a rising singer from Houston, Texas.
A spokesperson for d4vd expressed deep sorrow over the discovery. “He is shocked and devastated by this news,” they said. “He is fully cooperating with authorities.” No charges have been filed, and police have not said if there is any connection between Burke and Celeste beyond the car registration.
What Happens Next?
The Los Angeles Police Department’s homicide division is investigating to find out how Celeste’s body ended up in the car and when she died. Because of the condition of the remains, the cause of death is still unknown.
A spokesperson from the LAPD said, “We are treating this as a suspicious death until we know more. We encourage anyone with information about Celeste or the vehicle to come forward.”
Remembering Celeste
Celeste was a small girl, about 5’2″ tall and weighing around 70 pounds. She had black, wavy hair and a tattoo on her finger that read “Shhh…” She was last seen wearing black leggings and a tube top.
Her disappearance left a hole in the hearts of those who knew her — family, friends, and her community. Now, her tragic story has reached a wider audience, as fans of d4vd and others react to the shocking news.
A Community in Shock
The singer d4vd rose to fame with his 2022 hit “Romantic Homicide.” Fans are stunned by the news but understand that he is not a suspect in this case. His team has confirmed he has not had access to the car for some time.
Authorities are asking anyone who might know anything — no matter how small — to contact LAPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Tips can be given anonymously.
