What We Know About Celeste Rivas After Police Found Her Body in d4vd’s Car
Celeste Rivas has been identified as the body found in a vehicle registered to American singer d4vd. Details of Rivas’ death remain unclear as the police are currently investigating the case. However, it has been confirmed that Rivas was the 13-year-old girl reported missing in Lake Elsinore in 2024.
Here’s everything we know so far about the case dominating headlines this week.
Who’s d4vd?
Texas-born David Anthony Burke, best known as d4vd, is a 20-year-old R&B singer. The star rose to fame through social media. He first created music on YouTube to accompany Fortnite montages and eventually moved to TikTok, where his music took flight. In fact, his single “Here with me” became a viral sensation on the video-sharing platform, soundtracking more than one million user videos.
The singer later collaborated with the likes of Kali Uchis, Damiano David, Fortnite, and League of Legends, consolidating his place in pop culture.
Police found the body in d4vd’s car
On September 8, police found a decomposing body in the front trunk of a Tesla car at Hollywood Tow. The vehicle had been previously towed from the Hollywood Hills. According to the Los Angeles Times, law enforcement sources shared that the car was abandoned there, “five days before it was impounded.”
The body discovery happened following reports of foul odor coming from inside the Tesla. Police officers found body parts in a bag, and identification was delayed because of the advanced state of decomposition.
NBC Los Angeles reported that “the remains were not intact.” The medical examiner’s office stated that they couldn’t immediately determine the age and ethnicity of the victim. She appeared to have been “deceased inside the vehicle for an extended period of time before being found.”
The car carried a Texas plate and was registered to “Romantic Homicide” singer d4vd, who at the time was on tour.
The body’s identity has been confirmed as Celeste Rivas
Following the body discovery, the medical examiner’s office revealed that the victim was a female. She had wavy hair and wore black leggings, a tube top and jewelry, including a metal chain bracelet and stud earrings. The office also said the victim carried a tattoo with the word “Shhh…” on her right index finger.
With this description, a woman who identified herself as Celeste Rivas’ mother contacted TMZ. She told the entertainment outlet that she believed the body might be her daughter, who went missing in 2024. TMZ forwarded the tip to the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division.
On September 18, the remains were confirmed to belong to Celeste Rivas, last seen in April 2024 at Lake Elsinore. Celeste was 13 at the time.
What’s Celeste’s connection to d4vd?
No formal connections to singer d4vd have been identified, nor has he been officially linked to the case. According to authorities and representatives of the singer, he is currently cooperating with the case.
However, speculation and rumors have swirled online. TMZ reported that Celeste’s mother stated that her daughter had a boyfriend named David when she vanished. The internet, on the other hand, has unearthed pictures of the singer’s tattoo—the word “Shhh…” on the index finger of his right hand. The tattoo matches the description of Celeste’s tattoo.
No one has been arrested yet
No arrests have been made yet, as Rivas’ cause of death is yet to be determined. The case is an ongoing investigation, led by the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division. However, a search warrant was executed on September 18 at d4vd’s home. The house does not belong to the artist, but it is where he has been staying in Los Angeles.
According to ABC News, “Los Angeles Police Department detectives were seen taking a computer and several other items from the home.”
“Several items of evidence were recovered and will be analyzed by detectives in the coming days,” the Los Angeles Police Department shared in a press statement. “This is an ongoing investigation. Investigators are following up on several leads.”
What is happening with d4vd now?
Before the news broke out, d4vd had embarked on a tour promoting his first album, Withered. The star has now cancelled the remaining tour dates in the US and more information about European dates is yet to be released.
The deluxe version of his album, set for release on September 19, has also been cancelled.
Additionally, d4vd’s image has been dropped from campaigns with the clothing giants Crocs and Hollister. “We are aware of this developing story. With respect to the current situation, we have removed campaign content featuring d4vd while the investigation continues,” both brands told Footwear News through a press statement.
