The discovery of a 15-year-old girl’s body in a Tesla registered to rising singer David Anthony Burke, better known by his stage name d4vd, has launched a high-profile Los Angeles investigation and garnered intense public scrutiny of the artist’s work, social media and recent activities. Authorities say the body, identified as Celeste Rivas Hernandez, was found in the front trunk area of the vehicle on Sept. 8, 2025, after the car was impounded; the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not yet determined cause or manner of her death. 

What officials say (what’s confirmed so far)

The Tesla registered to David Burke was ticketed on Sept. 3, 2025, towed and later impounded on Sept. 5. Police located Rivas Hernandez’s remains when the impounded vehicle was examined on Sept. 8, 2025.

LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division served a search warrant at a Los Angeles residence linked to Burke on Sept. 17, 2025, and seized items the department described as evidence. Police say the investigation is ongoing and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has listed the cause of death as “deferred” while tests continue. 

Officials have said the teenager was likely deceased for several weeks before her remains were discovered; investigators have not publicly announced a cause or manner of death and have not named an official suspect.

Background: the people involved

David Anthony Burke (d4vd): a 20-year-old singer who rose to prominence on TikTok and streaming platforms, has drawn attention because of the discovery and because some of his songs, music videos and public posts have themes or visuals that listeners now say mirror elements of the case. Burke’s manager confirmed that scheduled tour dates were canceled after the investigation intensified. Authorities executed a search warrant at a rental home associated with Burke and seized several bags of items as part of the probe. 

Celeste Rivas Hernandez: a teenager first reported missing in spring 2024, her family has been publicly grieving and seeking answers since her body was returned to them. Police records and reporting indicate she had been reported missing previously in 2024; investigators say the timeline remains under review as they work to determine when and how she died. Allegedly, she was also dating and seeing David for a significant amount of time.

Why the case has attracted widespread attention

A mix of factors has driven intense media and online focus:

The unusual location where the remains were found (the front trunk of a high-profile musician’s car that had been parked and subsequently towed). 

Public reposts, music videos and lyrics by Burke, notably his 2022 song “Romantic Homicide” which some listeners and commentators say contain imagery or lines that feel connected to the discovery. One line from that song, “In the back of my mind / I killed you”, has been widely circulated online as people debate whether they should be read literally or metaphorically. 

Social Media and Discord

Multiple videos have surfaced of Daivd and allegedly, Celeste on stream together where David confessed to “training her”. Various discord chats and members of D4vd’s server have claimed that they were together for at least 2 years.

Timeline (compiled from law-enforcement statements and media reporting)

• April 2024: A teenager matching Rivas Hernandez’s name was reported missing in the Lake Elsinore area; she was later located by police and returned home at that time, according to earlier reports.
• May 2024: Media accounts report subsequent concerns and additional missing-person activity involving Rivas Hernandez; details remain part of active investigative records.
• Sept. 3, 2025: Parking citation issued for a Tesla registered to David Burke.
• Sept. 5, 2025: Tesla impounded (after parking enforcement/towing procedures).
• Sept. 8, 2025: Decomposed remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez discovered in the front trunk area of that Tesla; police publicly confirm the discovery the following week.
• Sept. 17, 2025: LAPD served a search warrant on a residence associated with Burke; items were seized.
• Sept. 19, 2025: Burke canceled tour dates amid the unfolding investigation.
  
• Sept. 24, 2025: Rivas Hernandez’s remains were released to her family.  

• October 2025: A private investigator, Steve Fischer, was hired by the owner of a Hollywood Hills home where D4vd (David Anthony Burke) had been living. He was hired to investigate the case following the discovery of the body of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas in D4vd’s Tesla.

• October 2025: Fischer claims he discovered some “farm” tools that did not belong in a Hollywood Hills home, and he believes these tools could be used to “get rid of a person.”